Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Online

Courses

Read about our MSN FNP online classes below

The MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online curriculum is comprised of 8 core courses (24 credit hours) and 9 specialization courses (23 credit hours).

Courses in this program are seven weeks long. Courses during the two summer terms, however, are six weeks long.

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Core Courses 

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You must take the following courses.

NUR 501: Philosophical & Theoretical, Evidence-Based Research Basis of Nursing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course explores nursing as an art and science and how knowledge has developed relevant to phenomena of interest. Each student will develop skills needed to critically analyze and synthesize relevant literature in the area of a specific phenomenon. Throughout the course, the student will enhance the skills to translate evidence-based research into evidence-based practice, while evaluating research project outcomes through discussions. The student will acquire skills in learning interrelationships between nursing theory, research and practice along with the nature of scientific knowledge. The students will enrich their critical analysis and theory in the development of evidence-based advanced-practice nursing protocols.

NUR 502: Advanced Pathophysiology

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This is a course that provides the student with the advanced understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness, disease prevention and treatment within a systems framework. Emphasis is placed on biological theories and principles that provide a basis for understanding pathophysiology as an alteration in the normal physiology functioning of subsystems from conception to end of life and the chemical agents that are capable of producing biologic responses within the body. The course uses critical thinking processes to analyze diverse client presentations of selected illness for symptomatology, pathophysiology and health care implications.

NUR 504: Advanced Health Assessment

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course helps students acquire knowledge and skills in the conduct of a comprehensive health assessment including the physical, psychological, social, functional and environmental aspects of health. Data collection, interpretation, documentation and dissemination of assessment data is studied. Techniques of interview, observation, percussion, palpation, inspection and auscultation in assessing clients across the life span are reviewed in simulated and actual environments.

NUR 505: Diversity in Advanced Health Practice

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

Analyze the complexities of health-service delivery to diverse populations using social-ecological models to provide a deeper understanding of the impacts of health policy, social justice, structural inequities and the value systems of diverse groups as well as variables related to gender, age, lifestyle, religion, culture, social class, race and geography.

NUR 506: Influencing Health Policy

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on influencing public policy related to the health system and resources at the state/national/global level. Emphasis will be placed on how health policies are formulated, how to affect this process, and how it impacts clinical practice and health care delivery.

NUR 512: Role Transition to Advanced Practice Nursing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course will provide a forum for the student to examine the roles of the advanced practice nurse. The content will include professional practice issues for the advanced practice nurse, working independently and collaborating with other health care professionals within the multidisciplinary/multiagency team. This course will also look at the scope of practice, professional responsibilities and financial aspects of advanced practice.

NUR 600: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course will provide knowledge of pharmacokinetics that will enable the student to safely and appropriately select pharmacologic agents for the management of common acute and chronic health problems of diverse populations. Specific content of the course covers representative drugs of a pharmacologic group, indications for use, drug selection, titration of dose, key adverse effects, and monitoring of therapy and alternative therapy.

NUR 601: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course explores nursing as an art and science in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention while also exploring strategies to effectively apply culturally and environmentally sensitive interventions. The course serves as the foundation to develop further assessment skills to sharpen the knowledge base of the advanced practice nurse in promoting health and preventing acute and chronic diseases. Throughout the course, the student will enhance their knowledge to translate relevant clinical guidelines and evidence-based research into evidence-based practice to promote health and prevent chronic health problems.

Specialization Courses 

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NUR 507: Advanced FNP: Children & Families

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

The course will facilitate an in-depth understanding of family-system concepts. The course will also address ethical and cultural issues when working with families.

NUR 507CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical I

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 2

The role and function of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) will be explored through the clinical rotation experience. This course requires that students complete 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity.

NUR 514: Advanced FNP: Women's Health

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course will provide a foundational framework for advanced practice nursing in women's health. The focus will be on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common health problems in the culturally diverse women population. This course will also look at health promotion and disease prevention strategies in women.

NUR 514CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical II

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 2

The role and function of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) will be explored through the clinical rotation experience. This course requires that students complete 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity.

NUR 509: Advanced FNP: Adults

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course prepares advanced-practice nurses to function effectively in leadership roles within multi-disciplinary health-care systems/organizations specifically focused on adults and their families. Critical issues that impact the practice environment are explored. Students develop skills in facilitating evidence-based practice for specific populations of adults and their families with emphasis on skills requisite for certification in Family Nurse Practitioner role.

NUR 509CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical III

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 2

The role and function of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) will be explored through the clinical rotation experience. This course requires that students complete 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity.

NUR 612: Advanced FNP: Adult Gerontology

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on the management of acute/chronic and rapidly changing conditions of adults/older adults. Urgent care issues are addressed. It emphasizes principles of health promotion, disease prevention and assessment, and management of common health care problems in diverse elderly populations. Emphasis is placed on developmental needs and the pathophysiologic processes underlying certain conditions. The impact of the family on the health of the elderly is explored.

NUR 612CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical IV

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 2

The role and function of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) will be explored through the clinical rotation experience. This course requires that students complete 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity.

NUR 611: Advanced Practice Nursing Integration

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This practicum experience focuses on the synthesis of previously gained knowledge and skills in the provision of advanced nursing care to individuals, families and communities. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention and clinical management of clients with common acute and chronic illness.

Clinical Requirements 

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The MSN FNP requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each of these classes: NUR 507 Children & Families, NUR 509 Adults, NUR 514 Women’s Health, and NUR 612 Adult Gerontology. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period, and the required hours must be completed by the end of each course. See course descriptions for more details.

Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:

• Current unencumbered RN licensure
• Current Professional Liability Insurance
• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening
• Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
• Annual Physical Examination
• Current Immunizations

Finding Clinical Sites and Preceptors

Finding a clinical preceptor and site are essential components for completing this program. STU strongly encourages students to secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We strongly encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available if needed.

If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence.

Restrictions on Clinical Sites

We highly encourage all clinical hours to be conducted in the primary care setting for this program. Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations on their assigned unit. Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor. Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility. Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.

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