The University of Alabama - Huntsville

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is an autonomous campus of The University of Alabama System dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service. UAH is a key participant in one of the nation's major international centers for advanced technological research and utilizes its position to provide unique opportunities for students.

The College of Nursing

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Although nursing is highly specialized, it remains fundamentally, a caring profession. UAH took both of these aspects into consideration when designing its curriculum in nursing. Our professors have an ongoing concern with some of the most significant issues in nursing today, including cancer research, nursing ethics, and opportunities for nurses in space research. In addition to focusing on essentials of nursing in hospitals, the curriculum also emphasizes community based practice and primary care.

The fundamental purpose of the College of Nursing is to prepare nurses at the baccalaureate and master's level who are critical thinkers, life-long learners, and are able to practice as caring professionals in a variety of health care delivery systems. As the only institution offering both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in north Alabama, the College is also committed to becoming the regional center for research activities in nursing. In addition, the College is committed to providing educational services for and in collaboration with, agencies for professional nursing development. Educational offerings and faculty practice are both services to community clients and means of improving health care and delivery systems. In order to meet its obligations in teaching, research, scholarly activities, practice and service, the College strives to maintain high quality faculty who are excellent teachers and expert practitioners who add to the body of nursing knowledge.

The undergraduate program in Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Both the baccalaureate and the master's programs in Nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

The Baccalaureate Program

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The four year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree provides the nursing theory, science, humanities, and behavioral science preparation necessary for the full scope of professional nursing responsibilities, and provides the knowledge base necessary for advanced education in specialized clinical practice.

Baccalaureate education in nursing provides the basis for entry into professional nursing practice. The baccalaureate graduate is prepared as a generalist capable of functioning in a variety of roles and health care systems. Nursing process is the systematic model utilized for problem-solving. Registered nurse students have an opportunity to synthesize prior nursing experience with new knowledge.

The undergraduate program prepares the nurse for assuming beginning leadership roles in entry level positions. Leadership in nursing incorporates dimensions of independent and collaborative practice, client advocacy, and accountability. The baccalaureate graduate is prepared to apply research findings in clinical practice and to value scientific inquiry.

BSN for Registered Nurses (Bridge Program)

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The College of Nursing at UAH offers a program specifically designed for Registered Nurses who desire to obtain their BSN. Within the regular undergraduate program, we recognize the unique abilities and needs of the registered nurse student. This program of study offers flexible options and opportunities for part-time study.

The Master's Program

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The master's degree in nursing builds upon the baccalaureate degree and prepares the individual for advanced nursing practice in a specialized area. The framework for practice emerges from interrelationships of theory, practice, and research. Primary roles of the nurse practitioner and the nurse administrator embody dimensions of clinical expertise, research, consultation, collaboration, management, leadership, and teaching.

The program prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in the direct delivery of care as expert clinicians in a nursing practice specialty:

• Adult Health Nursing Specialist
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Administration

The MSN program can be completed in sixteen months. Opportunities are also available for students who prefer a slower pace. Upon completing requirements for the MSN with specialization in the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner tracks, graduates will be eligible to take national certification examinations.

Post-Master's Program

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UAH also offers a Post-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program. This two semester plus one summer program provides nurses who already hold Master's degrees in nursing with the skills and knowledge to become nurse practitioners. After completing coursework, students are awarded a certificate and are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for family nurse practitioners. Students admitted to this program must attend full-time. In order to facilitate study by working nurses, this certificate program is offered on Saturdays on the UAH campus, and may be offered at distant sites.

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from University of Alabama - Huntsville.

For more information, visit the home page of University of Alabama - Huntsville - College of Nursing.