Skip navigation
A doctor holding a tablet: Explore the MSN-APRN degree program at Regent University.

MSN in APRN

Master of Science in Nursing in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing

Lead the Way in Patient-Focused Nursing THROUGH REGENT’S MSN in APRN DEGREE PROGRAM

Are you ready to advance in your career while improving the health outcomes of your patients? Regent’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) provides cutting-edge integrated multidisciplinary training and is available online with some face-to-face requirements. Discover what you can do with an APRN degree! Choose between two concentrations:

  • MSN in APRN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • MSN in APRN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

These concentrations offer a pathway that leads to APRN preparation and prepares students to function as change agents by bringing evidence to practice. Upon successful completion of the program, you’re eligible to apply for the APRN certification examination. Learn more about the benefits of pursuing an advanced nursing degree.

Online w/ Residency
47
January 13, 2025

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS 

Gain the proficiency necessary to teach confidently and engage with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. 

BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION 

Anchor your knowledge and skill in Christian principles and values. 

LEARN FROM THE BEST IN THE MSN-APRN DEGREE PROGRAM

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for three years (2019, 2020 and 2022). We are also both military and transfer friendly. Experience the Regent difference through our online Master of Science in Nursing – Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (MSN-APRN) degree program. 

FULFILL THE IN-DEMAND NEED

The United States Bureau for Labor Statistics predicted that openings for nurse practitioners in the U.S. will increase 45% between 2020 and 2030, and that between 2014 and 2024, every state in the U.S. will see an increase in jobs for nurse practitioners.

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

Regent's MSN in APRN with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) will prepare you for your APRN certification and to provide a wide range of family-focused healthcare services.

Learn More

Regent's MSN in APRN with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) will prepare you for your APRN certification and to provide holistic care to patients and their families with common, acute or chronic mental health problems.

Learn More
Featured Courses
NURS 508Theoretical & Ethical Foundations3
Nursing and other relevant theories that apply to advanced nursing practice. Applies biblical worldview to ethical decision-making.
NURS 520Nursing Informatics3
Advanced practice nurse’s role in the use and management of information in the healthcare industry. Major topics related to nursing informatics and technology.
NURS 540Advanced Pathophysiology3
System-focused content addresses the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease that serve as the foundation for advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and management. Developmental physiology, normal etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of commonly found/observed altered health states and responses to illness and treatment modalities.
NURS 541Advanced Pharmacology3
Expands the advanced practice student’s knowledge of the evidenced-based practice of Pharmacotherapeutic management. A practical advanced practice approach in applying pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic principles across the lifespan for both acute and outpatient client-centered care.
NURS 550Advanced Health Assessment3
Comprehensive physical assessment and the obtainment of an in-depth health history across the lifespan; risk reduction, health promotion and prevention, early detection of physical and common emotional illnesses, and clinical decision making. Culturally competent patient education, health promotion and clinical prevention considerations will be integrated.
NURS 605Global Nursing Leadership & Healthcare Delivery Systems3
Nursing and healthcare delivery systems including organization and financing, and the economic, legal and political factors that influence health care. The professional role of an MSN nurse in relation to healthcare delivery systems in the delivery of safe high quality care to patients will be explored.
NURS 633Research Methods & Biostatistics I3
Expands the research knowledge gained at the baccalaureate level. Application of nursing research to nursing practice along with the role of biostatistics in nursing research. A quality improvement/research project will validate the student’s skills in data collection and analysis methods, interpretation, and reporting of statistical results. Students are expected to consider the process(es) of change management related to their project.
NURS 634Research Methods & Biostatistics II3
Continued application of nursing research and biostatistics in nursing practice; research project will validate the student’s skills in data collection and analysis methods, interpretation, and reporting of statistical results. Includes focus on professional role development as students translate biostatistics into practical applications to advocate and improve population health. Prerequisite: NURS 633.

On completing the MSN – APRN degree, you can:

  • Lead at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public. 
  • Promote policies and initiatives that support patient safety. 
  • Integrate evidence-based principles and strategies that improve patient outcomes.  
  • Evaluate and identify a patient’s need for care and advise on a treatment plan. 

Career Opportunities

  • Psychiatry (Adult, Addiction, Pediatric)
  • Mental & Behavioral Health Units
  • ​Geriatric Nurse Specialist
  • Hospital-Based Practices
  • Independent Practices

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13

Prerequisites

MSN in APRN program applicants must:

  • Have a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA in previously completed nursing courses.
  • Report no more than two previous documented failures in MSN courses.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Complete an Admissions Questionnaire

Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 4: Submit Your Resume

All graduate nurse candidates are required to submit a resume demonstrating one year of full time clinical RN experience prior to entering the degree program to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Submit Your Nursing License

To be admitted to the MSN program, you must submit an active unencumbered/unrestricted Registered Nurse license from your state of practice. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 6: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 7: Faculty Interview

Interviews for the MSN-APRN program are by invitation only after review of the completed application by School of Nursing faculty. Interviews are held virtually with faculty and will take place via Zoom or Skype to best assist with an interactive interview experience for our applicants. It is expected that the candidate will be willing to discuss personal history within the interview process. Additional details will be provided to those invited for an interview.

Applicants invited to the virtual interview should keep in mind that an interview does not assure admission. The School of Nursing reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether a candidate is suitable for admission to the MSN-APRN program.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5803$1,740
MSN$5806$3,480

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5806$3,480
MSN$5809$5,220

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5803$1,740
MSN$5806$3,480

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5806$3,480
MSN$5809$5,220

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

What does APRN stand for?

APRN stands for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

APRN vs ARNP

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) are essentially the same. They are responsible for the same duties though they are identified differently from state to state.

What is an APRN?

An APRN, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, is a primary care provider and has been educated at a master’s or post-master’s level. APRNs typically go through specialized training for a specific patient population. Their certification through higher education allows APRNs to “assess, diagnose, and manage patient problems, order tests, and prescribe medications.” [1]

How to become an APRN
To become an APRN, an individual must complete an advanced nursing degree, complete clinical hours, pass a national certification exam, and apply for licensure in their state of practice. [2] The individual must already have a registered nurse (RN) license before pursuing an advanced practice nurse license.

  1. Get a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

    A bachelor’s degree is necessary before pursuing a master’s degree in nursing to become an APRN. You can transfer your experience as an RN to a bachelor’s degree with Regent’s fully online RN to B.S. in Nursing program.

  2. Achieve an advanced nursing degree.

    The advanced nursing degree is the basis for RNs moving into APRN positions. Regent’s Master of Science in Nursing – APRN degree can prepare you to specialize for Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Both areas are expected to grow substantially in the coming years.

  3. Complete the required clinical practice experience hours.

    According to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), “Students must have the opportunity to practice and develop clinical/practice competencies that are appropriate for the degree level and for the role, population focus, and/or area for which they are being prepared.” [3] The amount of hours expected varies based on specialization.

  4. Pass a national APRN certification exam.

    The exam that you will need to take depends on which specialization you seek to master. Several organizations offer the exams necessary to meet this requirement. The exams require a thorough knowledge of the subject matter studied during the degree program and insight gained from the clinical practice hours.

  5. Apply for licensure in your state of practice.

    After passing the APRN certification exam, you can apply for licensure in the state you would like to practice in. Every state requires completion of the APRN certification exam, but some states have extra requirements. Your state of practice will also determine whether you can have an individual practice.

APRN salary

The median APRN salary was $117,670 or $56.67 per hour in 2020. The APRN career field is also growing nearly 6 times as fast as other occupations. [4]

Is a nurse practitioner as good as a doctor?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is as good as a doctor for treating general ailments. However, a doctor tends to have more comprehensive specialization training for less common and more complex health issues.  A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced training. Nurse practitioners receive less training than doctors but have many of the same abilities, knowledge and responsibilities. Both NPs and doctors can diagnose and conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, create treatment plans, and manage general patient care. In some states, NPs can practice without the supervision of a doctor which allows more people to receive faster care.
 
The Association of American Medical Colleges estimated that the United States could see an approximate shortage between 37,800 and 124,000 in both primary and specialized care by 2034. [5] In the next decade, nurse practitioners are just as important as doctors to fill the growing need for care.


References

  1. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2009, February 19). APRNS in the U.S. NCSBN.
  2. 2U Incorporated. (2020, December 15). Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) career guide. Nursing License Map. 
  3. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (2016, October). CCNE clinical practice experiences FAQs. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). 
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021, June 2). Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  5. American Association of Medical Colleges. (2021, June 11). AAMC report reinforces mounting physician shortage. AAMC.