Master of Science in Nursing - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) track of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to prepare and help professional nurse leaders fulfill their advanced practice nursing roles as family nurse practitioners (FNP) and adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNP) with a graduate nursing degree. Graduates will reflect the critical thinking and professional skills needed for future nurse leaders in the clinical settings. Graduate level scholarly inquiry based on theoretically or clinically directed research will provide the foundation for fulfillment of the professional standards and core competencies of advanced practice graduate nursing.
The (MSN) Program, guided by Christian principles, builds on the baccalaureate nursing foundation to prepare advanced nurses as family nurse practitioners (FNP) and adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNP) to meet professional standards and competencies.
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 RN licensure in the state in which they do their clinical practica while enrolled in the Advanced Practice Nursing or Nurse Educator clinical courses. It is the students’ responsibility to make sure their program of study is eligible and meets all requirements within that states' Department of Licensing & Regulation.
- Students will be expected to work with all clients assigned to them. There is the possibility of exposure to clients with communicable diseases. Students will abide by universal precautions while working with clients.
- Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average while in the program. Policies regarding progression and retention will be applied if the GPA falls below 3.0.
- Students are expected to act with appropriate professional behavior at all times.
- The MSN FNP and AGPCNP clinical sequences are designed to provide a minimum of 720 hours of clinical time to meet the requirements for taking the appropriate certification examination. Some students may require additional hours. All students will be required to identify appropriate preceptors. CUW faculty will make the final decision regarding preceptor approval.
- Once accepted to the program, students are required to begin the program at the start of the next semester.
- Students must complete all degree requirements within a five-year period from the time of taking the first course in the program.
Program 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. The MSN program is offered online with residency requirements for Nurse Practitioner students.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 720 clinical hours as part of the program.
Family and Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| BIO 850 | Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| MSN 830 | Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| MSN 834 | Theoretical Foundations for Adv Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| MSN 836 | Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Life Span | 3 |
| MSN 840 | Advanced Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 3 |
| MSN 860 | Foundations of Healthcare Informatics | 3 |
| MSN 845 | Role Transition for APN | 2 |
| BIO 842 | Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| MSN 538 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| MSN 892 | Global Perspectives in Health Care | 3 |
| or MSN 877 | Eval and Testing in Nursing Ed | |
| or MBA 985 | Spec Topics-Health Care | |
| or MMC 840 | Pub Speak:Reprt/Presen | |
| or MPA 840 | Public Program Evaluation | |
| Specialization | ||
| Select one of the following specializations | 12 | |
| Specialization Courses (FNP) | ||
| Adv Prim Care Clin I-FNP (Course includes a minimum of 240 clinical hours) | ||
| Adv Prim Care Clin II-FNP (Course includes a minimum of 240 clinical hours) | ||
| Adv Prim Care Clin III-FNP (Course includes a minimum of 240 clinical hours) | ||
| Specialization Courses (AGPCNP) | ||
| Adv Prim Care Clin I-AGPCNP (Course includes a minimum of 240 clinical hours) | ||
| Adv Prim Care Clin II-AGPCNP (Course includes a minimum of 240 clinical hours) | ||
| Adv Prim Care Clin III-AGPCNP (Course includes a minimum of 240 clinical hours) | ||
| 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 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 MSN 840 Advanced Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
Application/Admission Process
Students may apply online through Concordia's direct online application at www.cuw.edu/apply. When applying directly, students will submit:
- Application form available at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Non-refundable application fee
- All official college transcripts leading to the bachelor's degree
- An essay that addresses the following topics:
- Rationale for choosing a career as a primary care Nurse Practitioner
- Career goals as a primary care Nurse Practitioner
- Personal compatibility with the CUW mission
- Plans for academic success, including time management, stress management, and professional communication
- Any previous academic issues
- Professional resume and a Certified Background Check
- Three letters of reference: two 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 May 1.
The deadline for spring admission is October 1.
In addition to the Graduate Admission Requirements, there may be a pre-admission telephone interview.
The admission committee will review applications and make recommendations for admission. After the recommendation for admission is approved, a formal letter of acceptance or denial is 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 one of the Co-Directors of the Graduate Nursing program.
- 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.