Learning Objective #1: Describe the four curricular tracks of the RODP MSN program

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the issues related to online MSN education, particularly with regard to clinical courses

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Purpose: The Tennessee Board of Regents, responding to the PEW Commission (1995) recommendation of encouraging the expansion of the number of master's level nursing practitioner training programs, established the Regents Online Degree Program's (RODP) Master of Science in Nursing program, effective Fall 2004. Additional impetus came from the fact that half of the nursing faculty in Tennessee will be retiring within the next five years with no replacements in the pipeline, fact that no public higher education institution offers an online MSN program, and the fact that only two programs in Tennessee have a nursing educator focus. This program is the first in the country to contain a state-wide approved curriculum which will be followed by six different TBR universities.

Design: The Deans/Directors of the six TBR schools of nursing undertook the daunting and seemingly overwhelming task of developing a uniform agreed upon curriculum, ensuring approval by all six universities. Four major tracks were established: nursing administration, nursing education, nursing informatics, and advanced practice (family nurse practitioner), with the nursing education track additionally requiring a clinical specialty. The national uniqueness of this program is that a student anywhere may enroll and complete the program, and may choose their home school from among the six universities.

A curriculum committee for each track was established to develop the curriculum and courses. Curricula and courses were created to address community and professional needs as well as to enable the student to meet requisite certification requirements for advanced practice. The program consists of the graduate program core courses, and the track specific content didactic and clinical courses.

Outcome: A four semester, thirty-two to forty-five semester hour master of science in nursing degree program was established. The degree would be awarded by any of the six state universities upon successful completion of the degree requirements.