Inquire
Visit
Apply
Inquire
Visit
Apply
Bluefield College



Experience
Academics
Admissions
Athletics
News & Events
About
Canvas
myBU
Campus Store
Directory
Alumni
Giving

Inquire  Visit  Apply

Home > Academics > Academic Programs > Nursing (MSN)

Nursing (MSN) Program Overview

Ready to take your career to the next level? An online nursing master’s degree can open up new avenues to serving others in meaningful ways. Our program prepares confident and caring servant leaders in the healthcare field. Our hybrid online program equips nurse practitioners to care for rural and needy populations. After receiving your MSN degree, you may serve in the mission field or as a healthcare leader working in family medicine or specialties ranging from cardiology to radiology.

A Patient-Focused MSN Program

Our hybrid program combines online instructions with onsite clinical practicums in locations near you that reflect your choice of concentration: family nurse practitioner (FNP), leadership/education (L/E), or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Many students undertake a nursing-specific mission trip before completing the program. The ultimate goal of our MSN degree program is to provide a diverse education that prepares you for a lifetime of service to others. Our graduates are prepared to practice, teach, and influence the healthcare needs of their communities. As a nursing leader, you would be a capable and transformative leader who understands the power of collaborating with all healthcare practitioners and political leaders from the grassroots level upward in order to deliver care to those in need.

If you are ready to advance your nursing career in order to better serve others, our CCNE-accredited master’s degree in nursing program and post-graduate APRN certificate program may be the right choice for you. Take the first step today and apply to the School of Nursing.

Available Concentrations

Leadership/Education

The leadership/education concentration prepares students for a future in nursing case management. Successful graduates are ready to take the certification exam for nurse educators (CNE) administered by the NLN, the certified nurse manager and leader exam (CNML) from AONE, or the ANCC nurse executive advanced certification exam.

Family Nurse Practitioner

After successfully completing this program, MSN students who select the FNP concentration are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners national exam.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMNHP graduates are a critical resource in helping address the shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. As PMHNPs, graduates work in various healthcare settings to assess, diagnose, and treat a range of mental health disorders. Students are eligible to take the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHP) board examination.

The Academic Catalog is the student’s guide to all policies and procedures for Bluefield University.

The Nursing Student Handbook is the student guide to assist you in achieving the successful completion of your program of study.

The master’s degree in nursing program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Bluefield University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Tuition: $495 – $665 Per Credit Hour
Next Start: May 10, 2023 (Online)
Time to Complete: 2 years

Courses & Requirements

Master's Degree (MS)
Core Requirements (28 Credits)
  • Foundations for Advanced Practice*
  • Advanced Nursing Research Strategies I
  • Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
  • Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
  • Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Didactic
  • Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum
  • Health Care Informatics
  • Advanced Nursing Research Strategies II
  • Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
  • Advanced Nursing Research Analysis
  • Research Sustaining
  • Financial, Ethics, Org Behavior & Health Policy Mgt
  • Capstone

* Not required for PMHNP Program

Concentrations (16-27 Credits)

Choose a Concentration (3 Available)

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (18 Credits)
    • Primary Care of Infants, Children & Adolescents Didactic
    • Primary Care of Infants, Children & Adolescents Practicum
    • Primary Care of Adults in Families Didactic
    • Primary Care of Adults in Families Practicum
    • Primary Care Across the Lifespan Practicum
    • Transition into Leadership for the Nurse Practitioner
  • Leadership/Education (16 Credits)
    • Management Theory & Leadership
    • Strategies for Curriculum & Instruction
    • Seminar in Leadership
    • Strategies for Effective Instruction
    • Practicum in Teaching
    • Practicum in Leadership
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (27 Credits)
    • Foundations of Adv Practice Psychiatric Mental Health
    • Diagnostic & Psychopharmacological Strategies
    • Advanced Practice PMHN Seminar I
    • Advanced Practice PMHN Practicum I
    • Theory & Practice in Addictions Care
    • Advanced Practice PMHN Seminar II
    • Advanced Practice PMHN Practicum II
    • Transition into Leadership for the Nurse Practitioner
    • PMHN Across the Lifespan Practicum
Total Credits: 44-55

Career opportunities available to graduates of this program include:

Nursing Administrator
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Research Nurse
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Consultant
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Forensic Nurse Consultant

Request Information

Visit Our Campus

Apply Today

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

Our team is here for you! How can we help?

This form requires credentials in order to request information.