Master of Science in Nursing - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The (MSN) Program, guided by Christian principles, builds on the baccalaureate nursing foundation to prepare advanced practice nurses as family nurse practitioners (FNP) or adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNP) to meet professional standards and competencies. Graduates are prepared to meet the complex primary health care needs of diverse populations. The master’s student uses an evidence based model to address patient centered needs in the areas of disease prevention/health promotion, chronic disease, restorative, and palliative/supportive care.
General Information
- The master’s degree program in nursing at Concordia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
- All students must maintain an unencumbered RN license while in the program. As this is an online program, sometimes there are out of state requirements that apply to the clinical setting. If clinicals will take place outside the state of Wisconsin, it is the student's responsibility to make sure their program of study is eligible and meets all requirements within that state's Department of Licensing & Regulation.
- Students must earn a minimum of a B in all courses. Policies regarding progression and retention will be applied if the student earns less than a B in any course.
- Students are expected to comply with the requirements as stated in the Student Responsibilities Agreement.
- The MSN FNP and AGPCNP clinical courses require a minimum of 750 hours. Based on their level of performance, a student may need to complete additional hours to be successful.
- Students will identify and secure clinical preceptors which then need to be approved for appropriateness by the graduate faculty. The Clinical Contract Coordinator is available for assistance.
- Students must complete all degree requirements within a five-year period from the time of taking the first course in the program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation the graduate student will be able to:
- Integrate liberal arts and sciences into advanced nursing roles and education.
- Analyze organizational and systems leadership principles to improve quality and patient safety in advanced nursing roles.
- Integrate evidence-based approaches into advanced nursing practice and education.
- Integrate healthcare technologies in the delivery, enhancement, and coordination of quality patient care.
- Analyze healthcare policies, finances, and regulations that impact healthcare systems.
- Integrate patient-centered care using interprofessional teams to improve health outcomes of individuals and populations.
- Integrate evidence-based, culturally appropriate knowledge in clinical prevention and population health at the individual and aggregate level.
- Assume accountability for advanced nursing practice and lifelong learning.
- Apply best evidence to assure competence in advanced nursing practice or nursing education with diverse populations.
Curriculum
The 41 credit Nurse Practitioner option will prepare primary care FNPs or AGPCNPs.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 750 clinical hours as part of the program.
Family and Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| NURS 5050 | Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 5030 | Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 5034 | Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| NURS 6036 | Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 5040 | Evidence Based Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 5060 | Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| NURS 6038 | Advanced Health Assessment (NURS 638 Advanced Health Assessment is a hybrid course where students are required to participate in a 2-3 day hands-on interactive on-campus experience.) | 3 |
| NURS 6045 | Role Transition for the APN | 2 |
| NURS 6042 | Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NURS 6092 | Global Perspectives/Primary Care | 3 |
| or NURS 6377 | Evaluation and Testing in Nursing Education | |
| or BUS 5850 | Special Topics in Health Care | |
| or BUS 5610 | Managerial Communication | |
| or BUS 5620 | Public Speaking: Professional Reports & Presentations | |
| Specialization | ||
| Select one of the following specializations | 12 | |
| Specialization Courses (FNP) | ||
| Advanced Primary Care Clinical I - FNP (4 credits) | ||
| Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - FNP (4 credits) | ||
| Advanced Primary Care Clinical III - FNP (4 credits) | ||
| Specialization Courses (AGPCNP) | ||
| Advanced Primary Care Clinical I - AGPCNP (4 credits) | ||
| Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - AGPCNP (4 credits ) | ||
| Advanced Primary Care Clinical III - AGPCNP (4 credits) | ||
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Entrance Requirements for the Graduate School of Nursing in Addition to Graduate School Requirements
- BSN degree from an accredited nursing school
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Science GPA is evaluated as part of the admission process
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the USA
- Actively working in practice. Preference is given to nurses with a minimum of two years of nursing experience.
- Current CPR certification
- Ability to perform Technical Standards for Registered Nurses
- Successful completion of: Statistics course – three credits with a minimum grade of B or higher. Must be completed before registering for NURS 5040
Application/Admission Process
Students must apply online through NursingCas. All students applying for admission must submit:
- All official college transcripts leading to the bachelor's degree
- A formal essay addressing the following topics:
- Your rationale for choosing a career as a Nurse Practitioner
- Your personal compatibility with the CUW mission
- Your plans for academic success in the program, including time management, stress management, and professional communication
- Address any previous academic issues
- Upon completion of your degree, where do you envision yourself practicing and with what populations
- Professional resume
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Two recommendations: Must be professional and/or academic and one must be from an individual who has worked with the applicant in a professional capacity and has a minimum of a Master's Degree
- Applicants who have completed graduate level classes and wish to have them evaluated must submit these transcripts and the transfer credit form.
- GRE exams are not required.
The deadline for fall admission is July 1.
The deadline for spring admission is November 1.
In addition to the graduate admission requirements, there may be a pre-admission telephone interview.
The admission committee will review applications and a formal letter/email of acceptance or denial will be sent to the student.
Transfer of Credit
The Graduate Nursing Program will accept up to 6 transfer credits of previous graduate level coursework into the MSN program based on the following criteria:
- Coursework must have been completed within five years prior to admission to the program (or be approved by the MSN faculty committee).
- Courses transferred must be comparable in scope and subject matter to courses offered in the MSN Program. The student will need to provide a course description and the course syllabus for any course requested for transfer. A transfer credit form must be completed and submitted to the Graduate Nursing Office for approval upon admission.
- All courses transferred in must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- All transfer credits must be certified by the Registrar and approved for the degree by the graduate nursing program director.
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics will not be accepted as transfer credits.
- Transfer credits will not be applied to the cumulative grade point average the student earns while in Concordia's MSN program.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 5050 | Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 5034 | Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| NURS 6045 | Role Transition for the APN | 2 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NURS 6036 | Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 5040 | Evidence Based Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| NURS 5030 | Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6042 | Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NURS 6038 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| NURS 7151 | Advanced Primary Care Clinical I - FNP | 4 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| NURS 5060 | Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| NURS 7152 | Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - FNP | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| NURS 7153 | Advanced Primary Care Clinical III - FNP | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 5050 | Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 5034 | Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| NURS 6045 | Role Transition for the APN | 2 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NURS 6036 | Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 5040 | Evidence Based Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| NURS 5030 | Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6042 | Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NURS 6038 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| NURS 7266 | Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - AGPCNP | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| NURS 5060 | Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| NURS 7267 | Advanced Primary Care Clinical III - AGPCNP | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| NURS 7266 | Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - AGPCNP | 4 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.