The number of master's-prepared nurses in Alabama has been increasing in recent years. The number of nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) is increasing by about three percent a year; the clinical nurse leader and clinical nurse specialist population is increasing as well. In 2011, Alabama had just over 2000 nurse practitioners, over 1500 CRNAs, slightly less than 100 clinical nurse specialists and about 20 certified nurse midwives.
Alabama's nursing leaders have put a concentrated effort into encouraging more nurses to pursue graduate education, and their efforts seem to be paying off. A 2008 survey revealed that 19 percent of Alabama intended to pursue an MSN degree within the next five years. Still, the state needs more young nurses to enroll in graduate school. At present, most Alabama nurses who complete a graduate degree are within five years of retirement when they come out of school. Young master's-prepared nurses are needed to fill the ranks. Alabama also needs more master's-prepared nurse educators to teach incoming LPN, RN and BSN students.
Professional organizations for Alabama's advanced practice nurses include Alabama Advanced Practice Council, Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Alabama State Nurses Association, North Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association and West Alabama Nurse Practitioners.
MSN programs for Alabama nurses include:
- University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB offers a wide variety of master's-level nurse practitioner programs, including some unique dual NP programs, such as Nurse Practitioner Adult Acute and Continuing Care with Secondary specialization in Registered Nurse First Assistant. MSN students can also obtain a master's degree in Nursing Informatics or Clinical Research Management.
- Auburn University. Auburn prepares MSN-level nurse educators, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. Some courses are offered fully online, while others are a combination of online and in-person learning. MSN students at Auburn can enroll full or part-time.
Below is a list of all the accredited schools with campus locations in Alabama that offer MSN programs.
Auburn University at Montgomery (Auburn, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL)
Matching Program Tracks: Community Health Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Samford University (Birmingham, AL)
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing, MSN/MBA (Nurse Executive), Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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South University (Montgomery, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Accelerated RN-MSN - Nurse Educator, Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Spring Hill College (Mobile, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN/MA in Management, Nurse Educator, Rural Case Management
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
Matching Program Tracks: Accelerated Masters in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) - CNL, Acute and Continuing Care NP, Adult CNS, Masters of Nurse Anesthesia, MSN/MPH, Nurse Practitioner - Adult Primary Care, Nurse Practitioner - Adult/Gerontological Primary Care, Nurse Practitioner - Adult/Women’s Health Primary Care, Nurse Practitioner - Family Primary Care, Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric Primary Care, Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care, Nursing and Health Systems Administration, Nursing Education, Primary Care NP, Quality and Outcomes Management in Health Systems
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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The University of Alabama in Huntsville (Huntsville, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Adult Clinical Nursing Specialist (CNS), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Leadership in Health Care Systems
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Troy University (Troy, AL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Health CNS, Family Nurse Practitioner, Maternal-Infant Health CNS, Nursing Informatics Specialist
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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University of Mobile (Mobile, AL)
Matching Program Tracks: Nursing Education/Administration
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of North Alabama (Florence, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Nursing in Teaching-Learning Environments, Nursing Leadership in Organizational Environments
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Acute Care NP, Adult Health CNS, Child Health NP, Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Mental Health CNS, Emergency NP, Executive Nurse Administrator, Family NP, Geropsychiatric (Adult Psych NP/Gerontological NP), Maternal Child Health CNS, Neonatal NP, Nursing Education, Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, Public Health Nurse Administrator, Women’s Health NP
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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