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Master's Degree Program Concentrations
Nurse practitioner students complete more than 600 hours of clinical practicum. Option coordinators work with students and certified professionals in the community to secure appropriate clinical sites and optimum learning experiences for students. • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) The NNP's primary focus is on neonates who are at increased risk as a result of physical or psychological factors that limit optimal development. Most NNPs work within the inpatient health-care setting where perinatal, newborn nursery and neonatal intensive-care services are provided. The NNP functions as a primary-care practitioner for the neonate and his or her family in collaboration with other members of the health-care team. Some of the NNP's functions include providing immediate response to actual or potential emergencies, performing technical procedures, providing ongoing health-care management and encouraging family members to be actively involved in the care-giving process. • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) A PNP is prepared to provide primary care, including physical exams, diagnosis and treatment of common pediatric illness of children of all ages, developmental evaluations, and nutritional guidance. PNPs place special emphasis on preventing illness and helping parents develop effective parenting skills. They encourage families to be actively involved in making decisions about their children's health care. The PNP works in collaboration with physicians and other health-care professionals in various settings. • Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (ANP-GNP) An ANP-GNP assumes an advanced practice role in the provision of primary health care to adults of all ages in settings such as public or private clinics, health maintenance organizations, ambulatory care facilities, college health services, correctional facilities, occupational health clinics, client’s homes and long-term care settings. Health promotion, health education, and the early detection of risk factors are important components of the ANP-GNP's role. ANP-GNPs engage in independent decision making about health-care needs, thus promoting the health or managing illness states of the individual and their families or significant others. The ANP/GNP works in collaboration with other health-care professionals and ensures continuity of services within the home and acute-care setting. The ANP-GNP also acts as an advocate for the client in the health care system. BRIDGE OPTIONS Bridge options prepare certified nurse practitioners for certification in other NP specialties. An individual plan of study is developed based on the learning needs of the student. Upon completion of the plan of study, the graduate receives a certificate of completion and is eligible to sit for the national certification exam. ADVANCED STANDING Advanced standing course work is available to selected students who have completed a master's degree in nursing and to nurse practitioners who have completed a post-baccalaureate/graduate level NP certificate program. Credentials, transfer credit and placement in advanced standing courses will be individually assessed by the registrar, option coordinator, and the graduate nursing program director. Upon completion of an advanced standing plan of study, the graduate receives a certificate of completion. ACCREDITATION The Nurse Practitioner concentration is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). CERTIFICATION Upon completion of the Nurse Practitioner concentration, graduates are eligible to take the nurse practitioner certification examination in their specialty area. All national credentialing/certification centers require a master’s degree in nursing to sit for the certification exams. These include The American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and the National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Students entering the Nurse Practitioner concentration complete 36-38 credits with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. YEARS TO COMPLETE THE CONCENTRATION A student is expected to complete the Nurse Practitioner Concentration within 4 years of initial enrollment. Typically, students attend the program full-time and complete the program in four semesters and two January terms. Advanced standing students typically complete the program in 1 1/2 years of full-time study. CURRICULUM Students complete more than 600 hours of clinical practicum in theie advanced practice course work. Option coordinators work with students to secure preceptors prior to clinical course work. The Option Coordinator approves all clinical placements for students enrolled in that option. Faculty supervise clinical placements by making visits to each site and arranging conferences with students and preceptors. The nursing faculty is committed to providing health care to underserved populations, including those in rural areas. Students who wish to pursue clinical experiences with underserved populations and/or in rural areas are supported in their efforts. Courses are offered on a semester format. Classes are block-scheduled weekly or biweekly in late afternoon/evening hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Clinical experiences are arranged to meet student and preceptor schedules. Core Courses NURS 600 Theoretical Formulations in the Discipline of Nursing, 4 credits NURS 606 Research in the Discipline of Nursing, 4 credits NURS 655 Professional Development in Advanced Nursing Roles, 2 credits NURS 800 Scholarly Project, 2-4 credits Advanced Practice Specialty Courses NURS 601-602-605* Foundations for Advanced Clinical Practice, 2 credits NURS 621-622-625* Advanced Practice: Health Promotion and Maintenance, 4 credits NURS 701-702-705* Advanced Practice: Pharmacology, 2 credits NURS 711-712-715* Advanced Practice: Alterations in Health I, 8 credits NURS 721-722-725* Advanced Practice: Alterations in Health II, 2 credits NURS 731-732-735* Advanced Practice: Role Synthesis, 6 credits *Students enroll in the course specific to their designated specialty area: Neonatal, Pediatric, or Adult-Gerontological. For more information about the Nurse Practitioner Concentration, please see this Program Planning Sheet. If you have questions or would like additional information about the Nurse Practitioner Concentration, please call the Department of Nursing at 651.690.6596. Program Requirements for all Masters Degree Programs |
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