Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) for Second Degree Students

Welcome, Second Degree Students!

The Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) is a new addition to the School of Nursing's options for entrance to nursing practice for second degree students. Second degree students are those who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing and are not registered nurses. This unique category of students is eligible for master's level admission to this graduate program once pre-requisite nursing foundation course requirements are met. The program has been developed in response to the growing need for well-educated, highly-skilled professionals who can manage complexity within clinical environments. In addition to eligibility for application to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), students of the AMNP will be prepared for the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role.

• The CNL assumes accountability for patient care outcomes through the application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient plans of care.
• The role includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of patient care outcomes by coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other health professionals.
• The CNL is a provider and manager of care at the point of care to patients and cohorts of patients within a healthcare setting.
• The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a leader in the health care delivery system in all settings in which health care is delivered.
• CNL master's graduates are eligible to apply for a national board certification exam through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway (AMNP)

for Second Degree Students

The Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) is an alternate pathway into the existing master's in nursing (MSN degree) for applicants who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, who are not registered nurses, and who seek MSN preparation as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). The AMNP was developed in response to the growing need for well-educated, highly-skilled professionals who can manage complexity within clinical environments.

The UAB AMNP is distinct among schools of nursing because it:

• Prepares professional nurses for generalist, entry-level practice through initial licensure by examination in Alabama as a Registered Nurse.
• Equips graduates for study in the advanced generalist area of nursing practice at the MSN degree level for preparation as a CNL.
• Is designated as Peace Corps Fellow Program.

The Program

The program is divided into two phases: (I) the Pre-licensure phase and (II) the CNL phase.

Phase I: The pre-licensure phase: 50 Credits, 1395 contact hours

Phase I consists of 12 months of full time study during which students complete the required courses and clinical experiences equivalent to a BSN degree in preparation to apply for licensure as a registered nurse in Alabama. While this will be an intense learning experience, students will emerge with the knowledge and skills required to function as a registered nurse.

Upon successful completion of Phase I requirements, the University Registrar will send a certified letter to the Alabama Board of Nursing stating that students have successfully completed requirements equivalent to a BSN degree and are eligible to apply for licensure.

Phase II: The Clinical Nurse Leader Phase: 22 Credits, 675 contact hours

Phase II consists of four semesters of part time study at the school and immersion in clinical work as a registered nurse. Phase II focuses on developing an exciting new role in nursing, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). In addition to part-time graduate study, AMNP students who are employed at UAB Hospital will participate in the post-BSN residency program which provides mentoring experiences for new registered nurses.

Successful completion of Phase II leads to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as an Advanced Generalist with eligibility to take the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) board certification exam.

What are the admission requirements?

• Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
• GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale overall or last 60 hours.
• Completion of AMNP Foundation Courses.

How do I apply?
Through Apply Yourself Online to UAB Graduate School.

Application Deadline for 2009

Application Process Checklist

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Residency Program?

UAB Hospital participates with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and a consortium of Academic Health Centers (UHC) to provide a Residency Program for new nurses. The program provides a series of learning and work experiences focusing on skill development, patient safety, leadership, evidenced-based practice, and communication. Students who seek employment at UAB Hospital will be participants in the UAB post-baccalaureate residency. Students are encourage to seek employemt at a hospital that provides an AACN sponsored Residency Program while completing Phase II of the program.

What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a leader in the health care delivery system in all settings in which health care is delivered. The CNL assumes accountability for patient care outcomes through the application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient plans of care. The CNL is a provider and manager of care at the point of care to patients and cohorts of patients within a healthcare setting. The role includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of patient care outcomes by coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other health professionals. AMNP graduates are eligible to sit for national board certification as a CNL through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

What are the admission requirements?

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale overall or last 60 hours.
• Completion of AMNP Foundation Courses.

(*Applies only to students who take microbiology at UAB;

otherwise may take any 2^nd science with a lab excluding geology or astronomy)

• Minimum required score on one of the following standardized admission tests:  MAT 410; GMAT 480; or GRE combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections (see Test Waiver below).
• Two references reflecting academic achievement and work experience.
• Submission of application by published deadline with fee.

Test Waiver

The GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver process allows eligible candidates for master's study to have this requirement waived if they meet the following criteria:

• Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited university.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Approval for the waiver does not imply or guarantee admission to the MSN program. The following individuals are not eligible for the waiver process:

• International applicants.  
• Non-native English speaking applicants.

Candidates not approved for the Waiver Process will be required to take the GRE/GMAT/MAT and submit a score before final action on their application can be made.

Can I take foundation courses elsewhere?

Yes, however, the foundation courses taken at another college or university must be comparable to UAB courses. The Office of Student Affairs at the UAB SON will help to determine whether courses taken at other institutions are equivalent to UAB courses.

Can I be a part-time student in this program?

Each course in this program is offered once each year. Students are admitted as a cohort so that all students begin and end the program at the same time. Phase II is considered part-time coursework but students will also be immersed in their first professional work experience as a registered nurses.

Can I work while going through this program?

Due to the intensity and rigor of the AMNP program, it is not recommended that students work during Phase I. During Phase II students will be practicing as registered nurses and preferrably participating in an AACN/UHC Residency Program.

When will classes begin?

Students are admitted to the AMNP program once each year and will start classes in May, at the beginning of summer semester. The AMNP foundation courses must be satisfactorily completed before beginning the AMNP program.

What is the cost?

You can find current information on graduate tuition and fees through the School of Nursing website at www.uab.edu/son.           

How do I apply?

Through Apply Yourself Online to UAB Graduate School.

Application Deadline for 2009

Application Process Checklist

How do I get more information?

Cecilia Ohman, MSN, RN
Recruiter
Phone: (205) 934-5491
E-mail: caohman@uab.edu

Office of Student Affairs
Phone: (205) 975-7529
E-mail: sonstudaffrs@uab.edu

Peace Corps Fellows Program

In 2008, the Peace Corps program designated the School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) as a Peace Corps Fellows program. The goal of the Peace Corps (PC) Fellows Program at the School of Nursing at UAB is to help Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) build on the skills they acquired during their Peace Corps service and to pursue a career in nursing through preparation as a Clinical Nurse Leader. Promoting better American understanding of other peoples by developing educational partnerships that place returned volunteers in underserved U.S. communities is one of the goals addressed by the Peace Corps Fellows Program. Peace Corps Fellows have clinical experiences in a variety of underserved areas that allow them to use their skills and expertise to address problems related to health disparities and lack of access to health care in Alabama.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who apply to the AMNP program are eligible to apply for designation as Peace Corps Fellows. Two fellows receive scholarship support during their first year of the AMNP upon successful completion of the first semester. In addition, fellows have opportunities for pursuing clinical placements in underserved communities to focus on addressing health disparities and limited access to health services. Fellows and other RPCVs are invited to participate in seminars and programs throughout the year in which they share their experiences with one another and with other faculty and students at UAB.

How do I apply for a Peace Corps Fellowship?

As a RPCV, please include a statement in the AMNP application essay indicating that you have served in the Peace Corps. For consideration as a scholarship recipient, describe your Peace Corps service in your essay. Two Fellows per AMNP application cycle (annual) will be eligible for Peace Corps Fellows Scholarship awards of $5,000. All Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are eligible to participate in special programs that will be organized for Fellows even if they are not designated as scholarship Fellows. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers non-fellows are welcome to apply for other available scholarships through the School of Nursing.

Please click for more information about Peace Corps Fellows Program.

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF NURSING

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM

ACCELERATED MASTER'S in NURSING PATHWAY

PROGRAM OF STUDIES

PHASE I- The Pre-Licensure Phase:  

The pre-licensure phase of the AMNP program is completed in the first 12 months and is equivalent to a BSN degree. Each term is block scheduled, which is divided into two sessions. Students complete requirements for 50 credits and 1335 contact hours of coursework. At the completion of phase one, AMNP students are eligible to apply for licensure from the Alabama Board of Nursing.

YEAR ONE

FIRST TERM: SUMMER

YEAR ONE

SECOND TERM: FALL

YEAR ONE

THIRD TERM: SPRING

Co-requisites:  All courses in a session/term block must be taken together.

PHASE II--The Licensing, Residency, and CNL Degree Completion: 

Beginning in Phase II, Year 2, course responsibilities will decrease to permit AMNP students sufficient time to prepare for the NCLEX-RN and practice as a registered nurse. During Phase II, students complete 22 credits and 675 contact hours, completing the requirements for an MSN degree.

YEAR TWO

FIRST TERM: SUMMER

YEAR TWO

SECOND TERM: FALL

YEAR TWO

THIRD TERM: SPRING

YEAR THREE

FIRST TERM: SUMMER

Co-requisites:  All courses in a session/term block must be taken together.