What Will I Learn In Herzing’s Msn
Candidates for Herzing’s online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree must complete 48 semester hours, 30 of which are in the FNP concentration, and 585 clinical hours.
Required core courses include:
- Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice
- Organizational Systems and Behaviors
- Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice
Required direct care core courses include:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Management of Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice
Required courses in FNP concentration include:
- Health Promotion Across the Life Span
- Adult Healthcare
- Healthcare of Women across the Lifespan
- Healthcare of Infants, Children and Adolescents
- Roles for Nurse Practitioners
Master Of Science Degree Requirements
Courses. Under the direction of the graduate coordinator, each student prepares and submits an individually designed program based on the following:
Core courses in nursing
Role Specialization courses
- Nurse Practitioner/Primary Care/Family Option
Thesis or Project
Minimum Total
Facilities. The diverse facilities of the community provide a wide variety of learning opportunities for individualized pursuit of student goals. Graduate and postbaccalaureate students have clinical placements, which are consistent with their career goals.
Preceptor selection for clinical placement in the Nurse Practitioner/Primary Care/Family program is the responsibility of the School of Nursing. The school will gather pertinent information to assist in preceptor identification during the first semester of the program. All preceptors must meet standards for educational and clinical experience as established by the California Board of Registered Nursing and appropriate accrediting bodies. Preceptors must be either a physician or a master’s prepared nurse practitioner.
Graduate Writing Requirement. All students must meet the university’s graduate writing proficiency requirement prior to being advanced to candidacy for the master’s degree. Students fulfill the writing requirement by passing the writing component of NURS 221. Students can obtain additional information regarding the graduate writing requirement in the program’s Graduate Student Handbook.
Prepare Your Resume Aka Make Sure Youre A Well
In addition to having a complete application, strong recommendation letters, and well-written essays, having a well-rounded resume is important. Being well-rounded, aka having more than RN experience, makes you a stronger candidate. This is something to think about at least a few years ahead of time. Many of the activities, skills, and training that can be added to your resume take time to pursue.
Some things that make you well-rounded include volunteer experiences, speaking a second language, certifications, additional training or continuing education courses, and awards/scholarships.
Read Also: Schoolcraft College Nursing Program Reviews
Earn A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Degree Degree
The first step toward becoming an NP entails earning a BSN. Traditional BSNs take four years to complete and include general education and nursing-specific coursework, along with hands-on clinical training.
Associate degree in nursing -holders with RN licenses may enroll in RN-to-BSN bridge programs and quickly earn a BSN. Other fast-track options exist for those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees who wish to earn a BSN.
About The Fnp Profession
FNPs are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. They complete health histories and provide physical examinations, diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems, interpret laboratory results and X-rays, prescribe and manage medications and other therapies, provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance, and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.
Also Check: Direct Entry Masters Nursing Programs
Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Graduates of the MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty provide mental health care in a variety of primary care settings with populations that represent the full life span. As advanced primary care specialists, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners assess, diagnose and manage commonly occurring mental health conditions in collaboration with other primary health care providers.
To best accommodate the needs of the nursing workforce, the curriculum is offered via a part-time program of study delivered through a distance accessible format that combines synchronous online classes with on-campus intensives, where students participate in planned laboratory and simulation experiences designed to promote mastery of essential skill sets. The curriculum consists of 45 credit hours of course work, with 35 credit hours of didactic coursework and 10 credit hours of clinical practica under the supervision of psychiatric/mental health advanced practice providers, that is completed in six or seven successive semesters depending on the semester of entry.
Family Nurse Practitioner Role And Preparation
The FNP implements evidence-based practice guidelines and critically analyzes and adapts health care interventions based on individualized assessments of individual/family needs. The FNP practices in the context of community, with broad knowledge, sensitivity and awareness of the specific needs of people from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. Family nurse practitioners practice primarily in ambulatory care settings.
At UCLA School of Nursing, the FNP program has a long tradition of preparing nurse practitioners to work with underserved and vulnerable populations. Upon graduation many FNPs practice in settings that provide free or low cost health care to uninsured families.
You May Like: Best Associate Degree Nursing Schools
Applicants Without A High School Diploma Or College Degree In The Us:
- If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
We Find Your Clinical Placements
No scrambling. No waiting. No guessing. We have a dedicated team to support all your clinical placements needs. Yes, that includes finding your preceptors.
But that also includes all the details that could be overlooked. The clinical affairs team will ensure you are prepared and stay in compliance with all on-boarding requirements of your clinical sites.
Our students benefit greatly from a wide variety of clinical sites. Urban tertiary care and academic institutions, community-based health centers, private small-town clinics and the Indian Health Service, just to name a few.
Also Check: Skilled Nursing Facilities In Ct
Tips For Applying To Nurse Practitioner School Summary
Applying to Nurse Practitioner school is an exciting and busy time. If youve made it this far in your education and career, youve got what it takes! Since going back to school is a huge investment of your time and resources, you need to feel confident in your future as an NP and be able to put your best foot forward on your application.
Make sure to check out other recent posts and visit the resource page:
Apply For Your Rn License
If you have completed your NP program in Saskatchewan and have 4500 hours of experience as an RN, you are ready to apply for RN licensure in Saskatchewan.
If you have completed your RN program in Canada but not in Saskatchewan, you must meet the following qualifications prior to applying:
- Be registered as an RN with the SRNA
- Have been registered as an NP in good standing in your previous jurisdiction
- Meet the recency or hours of practice requirement one of the following conditions must be met:
- Worked 1800 hours of nursing practice, 600 of them clinical, in the past three years
- Graduated from an SRNA-approved NP program
- Completed an approved NP-reentry program
- Have met NP continuing competence requirements in your last jurisdiction
- Completed a Controlled Drug and Substance Act course
Graduate Nurse Practitioner
If you would like to register as a Graduate Nurse Practitioner RN , you may do so when you register to take the exam and for your SRNA RN license. Registering as a Graduate Nurse Practitioner allows you to work as an RN from the time you graduate until the time you take the examination. Your duties are limited from that of a full-fledged RN and you must work in collaboration with a licensed RN or doctor. You may work as an RN for eight months, and can renew this registration once. The form to apply for RN license is located in the Nurse Practitioner License Application Packet.
Apply for your Nurse Practitioner License:
Documents and Fees to Send:
You May Like: Mildred Elley School Of Nursing
Choosing Your Msn Specialty
When it comes to choosing nurse practitioner programs, California and other states will often offer the option of choosing a specialty within the NP degree. Consequently, the area of practice that you wish to go into after graduation will play a significant role in what specific program you choose to attend.
Common nurse practitioner areas of specialization include family practice, acute care, pediatrics, adult gerontology, and emergency medicine.
The state of California recognizes a number of NP specialties, but family nurse practitioners are by far the most common option, according to the California Board of Registered Nursings 2017 survey. The report revealed that the field of educational specialty among nurse practitioners in California breaks down as follows:
- Family/individual .
- Adult primary care .
- Pediatric primary care .
- Womens health/gender-related .
- Geriatric primary care .
- Acute care adult/geriatric .
- Psychiatric/mental health .
- Acute care pediatric .
- Palliative care/hospice .
- Midwifery .
- Other .
Not sure which specialty is right for you? Spending time working in the clinical setting as a registered nurse is a great opportunity to experience different areas of care and gain a better idea of what option might be the best fit. If you dont actively work with nurse practitioners in your organization, consider reaching out to local NPs who practice in areas that you find interesting to learn more about what the day-to-day looks like in their role.
Are Online Programs Available
There are online programs available for nursing students at all levels, including students pursuing an MSN or a DNP. In many cases, youll take your classes online, then be placed at in-person, clinical locations in the community to get the hours you need. You might have the option to use on-campus resources like libraries, study groups, and more when you need them.
Don’t Miss: How Much Do Bsn Nurses Make In Illinois
Have Someone Proofread And Provide Feedback On Your Application
Your ability to follow directions and write in a clear, concise, and scholarly manner matters when youre applying to NP school. Unless your program conducts interviews, your application is the only way they have to evaluate you. Its critical to put your best foot forward and make a strong impression. The best way to do this is to make your application as strong as possible. Having a second set of eyes on your application gives you the opportunity to get feedback on grammar, completeness, and the clarity of your writing.
Ask a trusted parent, family member, friend, or colleague to review your application. You want to choose someone who has strong editing skills and attention to detail. Make sure theyll give you honest and constructive feedback.
Get Your Graduate Degree
You must complete an NP educational program that has been approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario Council before you may register in Ontario as an NP. These programs are at the graduate level and usually result in a masters degree or post-masters diploma/certificate. If you do not graduate from an approved program, you must be assessed by the Colleges Registration Committee.
If the NP program you graduate from is not Council-approved, the Registration Committee must assess your competencies. This process begins when you submit your application packet for registration as an NP in Ontario. The Committee will focus on your demonstration of knowledge of the NP Core Competencies as defined by the Canadian Nurses Association. Further information may be required from you as your application is evaluated, such as a resume, job description or a list of medical directives you have used.
Course Requirements
Because the College of Nurses of Ontario does not assess credentials, only competencies, course requirements for NP programs have not been specified. However, if you look at the NP core competencies, you can surmise that the following topics must be covered in any NP educational program. These competencies are common to all specialty certificates:
Prescriptive Authority
Specialization for NPs
Recommended Reading: Azusa Pacific University Masters In Nursing
Show Your Commitment To Finish
Dahring said, Every university wants its students to finish, especially in a nurse practitioner program. If you drop out, your spot in the NP cohort is empty. Mostly we like to know: Have people thought this decision through?
In other words, when an NP program admission committee decides to admit a student, they are making an investment in that person to finish the program. If it seems like a risky investment, they will not want to admit that individual.
Which Nurse Practitioner Program Should You Do
Both programs will qualify you to be a nurse practitioner, so you can really do either. Additionally, there isnt much of a salary difference between nurse practitioners who have their MSN versus those with their DNP
MSN programs are shorter and are typically offered by more schools, including more online programs, which can make balancing school and other commitments easier. However, if youre looking to achieve the top level of nursing education and/or learn more leadership and management skills, a DNP is the better option. Additionally, the AACN recommends that nurses hoping to become nurse practitioners get their DNP instead of their MSN, but they accept both as proper qualification.
The choice depends on which program you think works better for your schedule and career plans. Also, you get your MSN, you can later go back and get your DNP in a two-year program if you later decide thats what you want.
Don’t Miss: Accelerated Nursing Programs In Florida Online
Master Of Science In Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Make a difference in the lives of individual patients, entire families and communities as a whole and advance your career with Carlows Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner degree.
Throughout the program, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed for advanced practice nursing in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, private offices and practices, clinics, private homes and schools.
For your convenience, this program is offered at all three of our campuses . Course format consists of web-based coursework, an evening class twice per month on campus, and required clinical hours .
Upon graduation, you will be eligible for board certification and licensure, and prepared to assume a leadership position in nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner serves as the basis for doctoral studies and lifelong learning.
An Understanding Of The Np Role
You should be comfortable describing the role of an NP in detail. You must speak articulately about the NP scope of practice and be able to intelligently discuss the state laws governing practice and the challenges facing the profession. Show that you understand that being an NP is about more than prescribing privileges. Do enough research that you know better than to say things such as working under a physician or midlevel. Using outdated language shows you didnt do your homework and can jeopardize your application.
You May Like: Bay Breeze Nursing Home Gulf Breeze Florida
Overview And Population Interest
The Family Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse educated at the Master’s level as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The focus of care for the FNP is children and adults of all ages, in the context of the family unit. The FNP is educated to provide high quality, continual and comprehensive wellness and illness care to children and adults by providing preventive health services, patient education, disease management and illness prevention.
Select Your Patient Focus
NP students determine their patient populations at the time of entry into an NP program. Identifying a population focus from the beginning of educational preparation allows NP education to match the knowledge and skills to the needs of patients and to concentrate the program of academic and clinical study on the patients for whom the NP will be caring. For example, a primary care pediatric NP will spend the entire time in didactic and clinical education dedicated to issues related to the development and health care needs of the pediatric patient.
While core courses in pathology, pharmacology and physical assessment are included in all NP programs, this population focus-based education ensures that an NP students educational time is 100% concentrated on the clinical area where the NP clinician will ultimately be practicing.
Population foci include:
The majority of people are familiar with NPs in primary care. Thats not surprising, as 89.7% of NPs are certified in an area of primary care and 69% deliver primary care. However, there is a growing need and interest in NPs in all areas. NPs work in a number of clinical and other professional settings, including but not limited to private practice settings, school-based health centers, hospitals, specialty clinics, correctional facilities, Veterans Health Administration facilities, community health centers and emergency departments or urgent care facilities.
Read Also: University Of Virginia School Of Nursing
Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
In order to become a nurse practitioner, youll first need to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing . Earning your BSN prepares you for a career as a NP in a few ways.
First, like earning an associates degree in nursing, it will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which you must pass before you can become a registered nurse. You must be a registered nurse in order to become a nurse practitioner.
Second, as you will see below, becoming a nurse practitioner will require you to earn a graduate degree, and virtually all graduate nursing degrees will require you to hold a bachelors degree before you can enroll.
Of course, in some states you can become a registered nurse by only earning an associates degree in nursing. In these cases, you will need to complete your bachelors degree before enrolling in a graduate program. There are, however, many accelerated nursing programs that you can consider to make this process as quick as possible.
After becoming an RN, you can choose to work in the field as an RN for a time , or you can immediately continue your education to become a nurse practitioner.