University of Southern Maine Nursing School Review

The University of Southern Maine (USM) was created when the Gorham Normal School was combined with the University of Maine at Portland in 1970. USM has campuses in Gorham, Portland, and Lewiston-Auburn. Forbes magazine named Portland as America’s Most Livable City in 2009.

There are over 9600 students enrolled at USM, and the University offers more than 115 undergraduate and graduate programs. The student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1, and the average class size is 25.

Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing

This program is for students wishing to pursue a career in professional nursing. This four year program requires 122 to 130 credits to complete. Graduates will be able to sit for the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exam.

To apply, students need to submit their official transcript, official ACT or SAT scores, have a recommendation from their high school counselor, and submit a personal essay.

Students in the program are required to maintain a GPA of at least 2.75.

BS in Nursing – Accelerated

This 15 month program is designed for students that already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject. This program begins once a year in May.

To apply, students must have a GPA of at least 3.3 in their prior baccalaureate program. They will also need to complete Anatomy and Physiology and a college level statistics course before the program starts. It is also recommended that students take Microbiology, Chemistry, and Growth and Development prior to starting the program.

RN to BS in Nursing

This program is open to students who have completed either a diploma or associate degree in nursing program. It starts in the fall and in the spring.

Students must be admitted to the University, show proof of a current RN license, and have a GPA of at least 2.5 in their previous coursework. Students that are accepted into the program will be allowed to transfer up to 30 credits from their prior nursing education.

Certificate in Foundations of Holistic Health

This certificate program is for students interested in an integrated approach to healthcare. Students who take this 12 credit certificate program are not required to be admitted to the University.

Certificate of Advanced Study in Nursing

This is a post-master’s certificate program for nurses interested in becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) who have completed a master’s program that was not in an advanced practice specialty.

Students may specialize in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMH/NP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (AHCNS), Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (APMH/CNS), and Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APMH/NP).

To apply, students must have an MS in Nursing degree without an advanced practice specialty.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Nursing Education

This program prepares nurses to become nurse educators. They will be able to teach in entry and master’s level programs. This certificate program requires nine credits to complete.

Students must have a BS or MS in Nursing to apply.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This program provides the most advanced level of clinical nursing studies. It requires a minimum of 42 credits to complete, and may be taken full or part time. Students will need to complete at least 1000 clinical hours as well.

To be able to apply, students must have an MS in Nursing with a GPA of at least 3.25, a current RN license, and a copy of their advanced practice nursing certification. They also need to provide their GRE or MAT scores, and have taken a graduate level Statistics course with a grade of B or higher. In addition, they will need to submit their resume, an essay of their motivation for pursuing this course of study, and will need to attend an interview.

MS in Nursing – Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (AH/CNSP)

This program is available full or part time, and it takes 50 credit hours and 616 clinical hours to complete. Graduates are allowed to take the national certification exam for adult health clinical nurse specialists.

To apply, students must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

This program requires 49 credits and 616 clinical hours to complete. It is available full or part time. Graduates may take the national certification exam for adult nurse practitioners.

Applicants to this program must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (APMH/CNS)

Graduates of this program may take the national certification exam for clinical nurse specialists in the field of adult psychiatric mental health. This program is 48 credits and over 600 clinical hours, and may be taken full or part time.

Students applying to this program must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APMH/NP)

This program requires 48 credit hours to complete. Students will also take over 600 clinical hours. Graduates may sit for the national certification exam for adult psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner.

To apply, students must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing –Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

This program is for generalists looking to become nurse leaders. Students must take 41 credit hours and 468 clinical hours to graduate. After graduation, they may take the clinical nurse leader national certification exam.

Applicants must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

Dual Degree MS in Nursing and Master of Business Administration (MBA)

This program requires 30 credit hours of MBA coursework and 21 credit hours of nursing coursework, with 336 clinical hours. Students will also need to take 15 credit hours of MBA foundation courses, or show equivalent undergraduate classes that have a grade of C or higher.

Students applying to this dual program must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Education

Students in the Clinical Nurse Educator track will take 43 credit hours and complete 224 clinical hours. After graduation, they are eligible for Nurse Educator Certification by the National League for Nursing (NLN).

Applicants to the program will need to have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The FNP concentration requires 53 credit hours and over 600 clinical hours to complete. Graduates may take the FNP national certification exam.

Students that wish to apply must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMH/NP)

Students in this concentration must complete 740 clinical hours and 54 credit hours of courses. After graduation, they may take the national certification exam.

To apply, students must have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

The Options Program – MS in Nursing for Non-Nurses with a Baccalaureate Degree

This program allows students to begin their nursing studies at the master’s level and earn an MS in Nursing in three years. They will take upper level undergraduate nursing courses their first year, and graduate level nursing courses their second and third years. Students must complete Pathophysiology, Statistics, and Health Related Research prior to beginning the program.

Students may choose from the concentrations of ANP, FNP, APMH/CNS, APMH/NP, and FPMH/NP.

To apply for this program, students will need to have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing – Management

Students may complete this concentration with 39 credit hours and 224 clinical hours. Graduates meet the education criteria for advanced certification as a Nurse Executive.

Applicants will need to have a BS in Nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA, have taken courses in Statistics and Total Health Assessment, acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license. They may also be asked to interview.

MS in Nursing for Certified FNP, ANP, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP)

Certified FNP, ANP and WHNP nurses that do not hold either a BS or MS in nursing may take this program. The length of the program and number of credits required will vary, based on the background of the student. Those that do not have a BS degree will need to take additional undergraduate classes, as required in the RN to MS program.

Students must apply to this program online.

MS in Nursing – RN to MS in Nursing

RNs may enter the MS in Nursing program directly without a BS in Nursing degree. This program allows students to bypass the BS degree by taking one year of undergraduate courses, and then going straight to the MS level courses. Students will be awarded 30 credit hours for their associate degree studies, once they complete Professional Communication and Technology Utilization in Nursing and Health Sciences.

Applicants will need to have a diploma or associate degree in nursing, a 3.0 GPA, have acceptable MAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, a resume, and proof of a current RN license.

Minor in Holistic Health

This minor program is recommended for those in the nursing program, but is open to all USM students. It requires 18 credits to complete.

Contact:
University of Southern Maine
96 Falmouth Street,
Portland, ME 04104

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