Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (NURS PRC MSN)
45 Credits
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING - FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER CONCENTRATION • 45 CREDITS • NURS PRC MSN
The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares the baccalaureate nurse to care for adults and children of all ages with essential focus on family and community. Graduates of this program will be able to provide health promotion and primary health care for families and individuals in the context of their families. The Family Nurse Practitioner program focuses on continual and comprehensive, wellness and illness care for individuals across the lifespan to assist with illness management, health promotion, and health education. Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner students will be prepared to assume leadership roles for the targeted populations in the primary settings. Family Nurse Practitioners are prepared to provide care to individuals with acute and chronic illnesses in a variety of primary care practice settings such as clinics, outpatient services and more.
Admission to the MSN program is competitive. We seek highly motivated nurses who have obtained their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and desire to further professional development to advance their career. Once students have been admitted into the program, they become members of a cohort. This means that the same group of students goes through the program together. The cohort experience provides the students with the opportunity to develop a sense of community with their classmates as they study, network, and support each other in the graduate learning experience. The cohort learning experience begins with a two-day residency at the Grand Rapids W.A. Lettinga Campus.
Upon successful completion of the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration the graduate will be eligible to seek certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, offered by American Nurses’ Credentialing Center and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Following successful certification the graduate applies to the Department of Professional Regulation for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for practice in their State.
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Foundations of Advanced Nursing |
9 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS600 | Analysis of theoretical perspectives from nursing and related disciplines as a foundation for nursing practice in advanced roles. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program | |
| NURS601 | This seminar is required in the first semester of acceptance to the College of Health Professions MSN program. The program expectations and the MSN Student Handbook will be reviewed. Students in this course must register and complete the required Criminal Background Check (CBC) and Drug Screen (DS). Note: This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis. If the CBC/DS portion of the class is not completed in the specified time frame, a failing grade will be given for the course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. | |
| NURS640 | Critical discussion and analysis of the research process including the responsible conduct of research, qualitative and quantitative research methods and designs, analysis of data, and reporting of results. Strategies to improve dissemination and application of nursing research findings and integration of evidence-based practice will be discussed.Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program | |
| NURS670 | This course prepares nurses at the Master’s degree level to investigate and analyze the organization, delivery, and financing of health care through the lens of a leadership role. Leadership theories and concepts are explored as they may be applied to address complex and dynamic health care challenges such as health care access, cost, and quality. Strategic planning, systems thinking, political advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration are discussed and explored as within the context of the nursing leadership role and the advanced nursing practice in affecting quality health outcomes and culturally patient-centered care. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program |
Advanced Nursing Core |
9 Credits | |
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| NURS735 | Alterations of various physiological systems, etiology and clinical manifestations of commonly occurring health problems across the life span are discussed. In-depth case analysis of risk factors, pathophysiological changes, and associated signs and symptoms, relevant theories, research, and evidence-based findings are discussed as a basis for advanced practice nursing. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program | |
| NURS738 | The course focuses on the use of pharmacotherapeutic agents to manage health problems. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drug categories, as well as evidence-based findings, are discussed as a basis for prescribing and monitoring pharmaceutical and alternative therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of commonly occurring acute and chronic illnesses. Ethical, legal, and risk-management issues are discussed. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program | |
| NURS740 | This course focuses on the development of advanced practice nursing skills in health assessment for clients across the life span. Relevant concepts, theories, research, and evidence-based findings on prevention and early detection of risk factors and disease are emphasized. Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning and communication skills are developed through case scenarios, simulated experiences, and clinical experiences as appropriate. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Component Co-requisite(s): NURS740 and NURS740V Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program | |
| NURS740V | This course focuses on the development of advanced practice nursing skills in health assessment for clients across the life span. Relevant concepts, theories, research, and evidence-based findings on prevention and early detection of risk factors and disease are emphasized. Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning and communication skills are developed through case scenarios, simulated experiences, and clinical experiences as appropriate. Note: The lab portion designated with a ‘V’ will be taught in a virtual format. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Component Co-requisite(s): NURS740 and NURS740V Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN program |
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration |
26 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS768 | In this course, students focus on the advanced practice role in promoting health and preventing diseases across the lifespan. Emphasis is on developing advanced nursing skills in health promotion, disease prevention, anticipatory guidance, risk reduction strategies, diagnosis and management of common primary health care concerns. Epidemiological principles and research is used to guide, promote, and preserve wellness lifestyles. Students will utilize clinical decision making skills to care for families across the lifespan. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Component Co-requisite(s): NURS768 and NURS768C Prerequisite(s): NURS600, NURS601, NURS670 and NURS735 | |
| NURS768C | This course focuses on the advanced practice nurse’s role in promoting health and preventing diseases across the lifespan. Emphasis is on developing advanced nursing skills in health promotion, disease prevention, anticipatory guidance, risk reduction strategies, diagnosis and management of common primary health care concerns. Students will examine clinical decision making skills for care families across the lifespan. The advanced practice nurse uses epidemiological principles and research to guide, promote, and preserve wellness lifestyles. Note: Any unexcused non-attendance or dismissal from an internship, practicum, clinical or fieldwork experience will result in a grade of F. NURS768C requires 45 hours at a clinical site. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Component Co-requisite(s): NURS768 and NURS768C Prerequisite(s): NURS600, NURS601, NURS670 and NURS735 | |
| NURS772 | In this course, the students participate in an on campus experience. Practice and demonstration of skills necessary for the clinical course sequence. Individualized faculty-guided instruction in the management of patient focused problems including simulated patient experiences. Experiences include development of the basic suturing and small procedure skills that are often completed in the primary care setting. Students are expected to enter with proficient advanced practice level physical assessment and documentation. A comprehensive knowledge base in pharmacology and pathophysiology is required. If needed, remediation at this level will be done independently (with faculty approval and guidance) prior to enrollment in the clinical course sequence. Grade Note(s): A grade of B- or better is required for successful completion of all NURS courses Fees: Additional course fees apply. Co-requisite(s): NURS 768 and NURS 768C | |
| NURS776 | This course builds on FNP I and continues to emphasize the student’s competence in providing direct care as an Advanced Practice Nurse. The course focuses on the theoretical and clinical basis for the advanced nursing management of health care problems common to the family, focusing on children greater than 12 years old through the geriatric period. Emphasis is placed on clinical problems, symptoms, diagnosis and management of common acute and episodic conditions of families in the context of the primary care setting in the community. Students synthesize knowledge from a variety of sources to make clinical judgments and build the practice base needed for implementing Advanced Practice Competencies. Students are placed in clinical experiences within primary care and community settings under the supervision of faculty or preceptors. The student will become increasingly independent in their clinical decision-making skills and ability to manage individual health concerns in the practice s | |
| NURS776C | This course focuses on the theoretical and clinical basis for the advanced nursing management of health care problems common to the family, focusing on children greater than 12 years old through the geriatric period. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and management of common acute and episodic conditions of families in the context of the primary care setting in the community. Clinical experiences are in a variety of primary care and community settings under the supervision of faculty or preceptors. Clinical practice includes advanced assessment and implementation of therapeutic management regimens related to episodic and common problems, health promotion and risk prevention. Note: Any unexcused non-attendance or dismissal from an internship, practicum, clinical or fieldwork experience will result in a grade of F. NURS776C requires 225 hours at a clinical site. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Compone | |
| NURS781 | This course prepares the advanced practice nurse to provide care to the childbearing family, women in their childbearing years through menopause, and the pediatric patient. This course provides an overview of theory and research on the assessment and management of women throughout the lifespan, children (infant through adolescence/young adulthood) and families. Common developmental, behavioral, acute and chronic illness, and health promotion and maintenance are discussed. Psychosocial and cultural aspects of the childbearing family and pediatrics, etiology of condition of disease, differential diagnosis and clinical judgment within the context of the family across the lifespan will be applied to each topic. Students develop role competencies under the supervision of nurse practitioner preceptors and faculty in urban health care settings. Students are placed in clinical experiences within primary care and community settings under the supervision of faculty or preceptors. The student wi | |
| NURS781C | Preparation of the advanced practice nurse to provide care to the childbearing family, women in their childbearing years through menopause and the pediatric patient. This course provides an overview of theory and research on the assessment and management of women throughout the lifespan, children (infant through adolescence/young adulthood) and families. Common developmental, behavioral, acute and chronic illness, and health promotion and maintenance are discussed. Psychosocial and cultural aspects of the childbearing family and pediatrics, etiology of condition of disease, differential diagnosis and clinical judgment within the context of the family across the lifespan will be applied to each topic. Includes specific pediatric primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Note: Any unexcused non-attendance or dismissal from an internship, practicum, clinical or fieldwork experience will result in a grade of F. NURS781C requires 225 hours at a clinical site. Applicable Course Fees can b | |
| NURS786 | This course is to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) student to begin management practice of patients with common chronic illnesses and developmental problems in a variety of health care settings. The course focuses on the theoretical and clinical basis for the advanced nursing management of health care problems common to the family, focusing on children greater than 12 years old through the geriatric period, and builds upon the knowledge obtained in FNP I-III. Emphasis is placed on clinical problems, symptoms, diagnosis and management of common chronic conditions of individuals and the effects of their families in the context of the primary care setting in the community. Students synthesize knowledge from a variety of sources to make clinical judgments and build the practice base needed for implementing Advanced Practice Competencies. Students are placed in clinical experiences within primary care and community settings under the supervision of faculty or preceptors. The stud | |
| NURS786C | This course is to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) student to begin management practice of patients with common chronic illnesses and developmental problems in a variety of health care settings. This course will further develop primary care knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment. Content emphasis includes primary healthcare needs of individuals and families including screening, prevention, and management of chronic conditions. Course will develop student’s sound clinical decision making and diagnostic reasoning skills. The student is expected to utilize theory, research, and best practices to manage the care of individuals, families, and populations in order to provide high quality, cost-effective care. Note: Any unexcused non-attendance or dismissal from an internship, practicum, clinical or fieldwork experience will result in a grade of F. NURS786C requires 225 hours at a clinical site. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-muc | |
| NURS788 | This course will explore major aging concepts and issues within the United States including controversies in aging health care, socioeconomic trends and life course. A variety of global aging issues, trends, and future predictions will be analyzed. Content will include aging and health from an individual, family, societal, and systems perspective. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): NURS772 |
Capstone |
1 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS794 | This course culminates in a three-day virtual experience that will focus on the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) practice areas of licensing, credentialing and legal issues. An extensive board examination review will be completed using focused concentration review materials, simulations, research projects, and lab experiences. Students will complete a portfolio based on both the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NOPF) core competencies and the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. Students will present their portfolio and research project to nursing leadership during the three-day intensive review. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): NURS781 and NURS781C |