The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education provides a framework for preparing individuals as members of the discipline of nursing, reflecting expectations across the trajectory of nursing education and applied experience (AACN, 2021). Because professional nursing practice in all settings requires consideration of the individual, family, community, and population as clients, these outcomes are essential to master’s nursing education offered by Nightingale College.
- Essential I: Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities
- Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership
- Essential III: Quality Improvement and Safety
- Essential IV: Translating and Integrating Scholarship into Practice
- Essential V: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
- Essential VI: Health Policy and Advocacy
- Essential VII: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
- Essential VIII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving Health
- Essential IX: Master’s-Level Nursing Practice
The MSN FNP Program consists of thirty (30) graduate-division nursing courses delivered over six (6) academic semesters and ninety-six (96) academic weeks, for a total fifty-five (55) semester credits. There are five hundred and forty-seven point five (547.5) didactic, twenty-two point five (22.5) applied field experience, and eight hundred and ten (810) integrative practicum contact hours total.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM
Course Number | Course Title | Delivery Modality | Semester Credits | Contact Hours | |||
Theory | Applied Field Experience | Practicum | Total | ||||
| Semester 1 | |||||||
| MSN 580 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| MSN 582 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | Online | 4 | 60 | — | — | 60 |
| MSN 584 | Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | Online | 4 | 60 | — | — | 60 |
| Total | 11 | 165 | 0 | 0 | 165 | ||
| Semester 2 | |||||||
| MSN 586 | Health Promotion/Disease Prevention | Online | 2 | 30 | — | — | 30 |
| MSN 588 | Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan | Online | 4 | 52.5 | 22.5 | — | 75 |
| MSN 590 | Health Policy, Legislation, Economics, and Ethics | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| Total | 9 | 127.5 | 22.5 | 0 | 150 | ||
| Semester 3 | |||||||
| MSN 592 | Evidence-Based Practice | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| MSN 594 | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings I | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| MSN 610* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 1 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 611* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 2 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 612* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 3 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 613* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 4 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| Total | 10 | 90 | 0 | 180 | 270 | ||
| Semester 4 | |||||||
| MSN 598 | Health Informatics for the Advanced Practice Nurse | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| MSN 600 | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings II | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| MSN 614* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 5 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 615* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 6 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 616* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 7 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 617* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 8 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| Total | 10 | 90 | 0 | 180 | 270 | ||
| Semester 5 | |||||||
| MSN 604 | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings III | Online | 3 | 45 | — | — | 45 |
| MSN 618* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 9 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 619* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 10 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 621* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 11 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 622* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 12 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| Total | 7 | 45 | 0 | 180 | 225 | ||
| Semester 6 | |||||||
| MSN 608 | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings IV | Online | 2 | 30 | — | — | 30 |
| MSN 623* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 13 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 624* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 14 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 625* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 15 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 626* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 16 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 627* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 17 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| MSN 628* | Advanced Family Health in Primary Care Settings Practicum 18 | Online | 1 | — | — | 45 | 45 |
| Total | 8 | 30 | 0 | 270 | 300 | ||
| FNP Program Total | 55 | 547.5 | 22.5 | 810 | 1380 | ||
*The practicum courses are designed in one (1) credit hour increments and can be added as a single credit hour to a semester of didactic theory (beginning in Semester 3) or “chunked” in bigger blocks of time to facilitate a variety of clinical opportunities and individual learning needs. | |||||||
Satisfactory Academic Progress Table
Total Credits Attempted
Financial Aid Warning or Probation if CGPA is below Financial Aid Warning or Probation if course completion rate is below 1-8
3.0
67%
9-16
3.0
67%
17-24
3.0
67%
25-32
3.0
67%
33-40
3.0
67%
41-49
3.0
67%
50-58
3.0
67%
MSN FNP Course Descriptions
Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Core Course Descriptions
MSN 500: Clinical Prevention: Assessment & Planning
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course is a study of program planning processes for high-risk and underserved aggregates. Graduate learners will explore methods of population-focused health assessments. The course emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic conditions management.
MSN 505: Professional Awareness in Modern Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: Nurses’ professional presence in therapeutic settings can support or inhibit wellbeing not only in patients, but also in the rest of the health care team, in the family and support system of the patients, and in the health care organization. This course will help the graduate learner manage this impact by recognizing situations and practices that support a positive environment and cultivating
actions and responses to achieve and maintain this environment. The growth of self-knowledge will expand nurses’ ability to direct influence in ways that are deliberate and constructive rather than random or destructive.
MSN 510: Healthcare Policy and Global Health Trends
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: Social, political, and economic factors influence policies that impact health outcomes in communities, nationally and globally. Nurse leaders need to understand the determinants of health as well as how legal and regulatory processes, healthcare finances, research, the role of professional organizations, and special interest groups/lobbyists impact health outcomes. This course provides a framework for understanding the organization of healthcare delivery and financing systems in the U.S. and other nations. It addresses how policies are made and factors that influence policies at local, national, and global levels that impact health/wellness and the nursing profession. The course will explore the roles of values, ethical theories, stakeholder interests, research, and recent legislation related to health policy and health outcomes. The graduate learner will gain expertise in effecting change through active participation in influencing or developing policies that impact health.
MSN 515: Healthcare Statistics
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course focuses on upon the application of statistical methods and data analysis in the healthcare professions related to evidence-based practice.
MSN 520: Research Methods and Applications in Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course explores the methodology and application of nursing research and its
relevance to nursing education, nursing practice, and the learner’s specialty focus area. The course will emphasize research design, implementation and application of research. The graduate learner will also explore evidence-based practice models, quality improvement models, and grading levels of evidence.
MSN 530: Advanced Nursing Informatics and Technological Applications
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course examines a variety of informatics theories, models, and issues within
complex healthcare systems. Graduate learners will examine complementary roles of master’s level-prepared nursing information technology professionals, including informaticists and quality officers. Content is directed toward assisting the learner to understand system planning, analysis, implementation and evaluation. Learners will analyze current and emerging technologies; data
management; ethical legal and regulatory best-practice evidence; and bio-health informatics using decision-making support systems at the point of care.
MSN 540: Systems Leadership and Innovation
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course explores the foundations of leadership and system innovation and develops the necessary skills to lead change and to demonstrate evidence of needed change. The course focuses on how innovation can be developed and implemented and how to systematically assess the impact of change on all aspects of the health system.
MSN 550: Teaching Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents, herbals, and supplements. Graduate learners will explore the pathophysiology of major health problems and examine the effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender, healthcare setting, and funding. The course will emphasize the concepts for teaching
pathophysiology as nursing-related measures for health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management for diverse populations across the lifespan.
MSN 560: Teaching Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course emphasizes the transfer of knowledge to clinical practice as graduate
learners apply teaching-learning theory and assessment techniques to the healthcare of clients of all ages and the education of professional caregivers. Analysis and synthesis of assessment findings are related to relevant client history, cultural and psychosocial client characteristics, normal anatomy and
physiology, and normal growth and development
MSN 570: Teaching Pharmacology across the Lifespan
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills
in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents, herbals, and supplements. The graduate learner will explore the pharmacologic treatment of major health problems and examine the principles of pharmacogenomics. The effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender, healthcare setting, and funding of pharmacologic therapy will be examined. Emphasis on the concepts for teaching pharmacology as nursing-related measures for health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management for diverse populations across the lifespan.
MSN 620: Adult Education and Online Learning
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course examines the contemporary issues of nursing education. Graduate
learners will explore how changes in the economy, advancements in science, and the explosion of technology have created a paradigm shift in nursing education. Learners will further explore the role of the educator and the application of innovative education strategies. While traditional contexts for learning are included, students will focus on modern technology and trends in adult nursing
education and online learning. A focus on andragogy and the adult learner is an important element of this course.
MSN 640: Curriculum & Instruction in Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course is an examination of the philosophical and historical influences in nursing education within a contemporary context for curricula development. Graduate learners will explore curriculum development, educational philosophy, theories and models, instruction and evaluation, as well as e-learning, simulations, and current technology in nursing education. The course will use
pedagogical frameworks for designing and implementing instructional experiences to develop curricular objectives, select and organize content, and plan program evaluation strategies.
MSN 660: Teaching Methodology in Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course is an examination of role development and practical methods for effective teaching. The course will examine the selection, application, and evaluation of teaching tools and strategies in the context of health education, continuing education, staff development, classroom and clinical instruction.
MSN 670: Nursing Education Field Experience
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 4 (Integrative Practicum)
Contact Hours: 180 (Integrative Practicum)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: MSN 620, MSN 640, and MSN 660
Corequisites: MSN 680
Description: This course is one (1) of the final two (2) courses in the MSNEd Program. Learners work in this course concurrently with MSN 680: Nursing Education Capstone course to complete a program summative project to demonstrate achievement of course and program outcomes. The Nursing Education Field Experience provides the graduate learner with an opportunity to work collaboratively within the employing organization to address an identified nursing problem, need, or gap in current practices. Learners then work to promote a practice change, quality improvement, or innovation that is based on the existing evidence and best practices.
MSN 680: Nursing Education Capstone
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: MSN 620, MSN 640, and MSN 660
Corequisites: MSN 670
Description: This course is one (1) of the final two (2) courses in the MSNEd Program. Learners work in this course concurrently with MSN 670: Nursing Education Field Experience course to complete a program summative project to demonstrate achievement of course and program outcomes. The capstone course is a scholarly project that addresses an issue, need, gap or opportunity resulting
from an identified need in nursing education or health care. The capstone project provides the opportunity for the graduate learner to demonstrate competency through design, application and evaluation of advanced nursing knowledge and higher-level leadership skills to ultimately improve health outcomes.
MSN FNP Program Outcomes
MSN FNP PROGRAM OUTCOMES
MSN FNP Program Outcomes are aligned with the Institutional Effectiveness Plan and measure the degree to which the Program achieves its stated mission. For current MSN FNP Program Outcomes benchmarks, see the MSN FNP Program Outcomes Benchmarks Catalog Insert.
PROGRAM-LEVEL LEARNER OUTCOMES
The MSN FNP Program, in alignment with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, has identified program outcomes, including program-level learner outcomes and competencies, alumni outcomes, and faculty outcomes to evaluate Nightingale College’s MSN FNP Program effectiveness. The learner outcomes include program completion and employment rates, achievement of Nightingale College’s graduate general education goals, achievement of expected learner outcomes, satisfaction with courses and instruction, and satisfaction with overall program effectiveness.
At Program completion, as measured by evaluation activities throughout the Program, the graduate will:
- Integrate evidence-based findings from research in humanities and science, while synthesizing the holistic nature of advanced practice nursing and diagnostic reasoning to build quality and safe patient care across diverse settings and enhance patient health and organizational outcomes.
- Engage in leadership, scholarship, and change agent activities that promote collaboration and communication among interdisciplinary team members and community stakeholders.
- Evaluate and utilize best evidence to improve quality, safely, and access in clinical practice,
- Integrate clinical guidelines, research, clinical judgement, and interdisciplinary perspectives using translational processes to improve practice, health, and organizational outcomes.
- Incorporate information technology when interacting and collaborating with patient, families, and interdisciplinary team members for improved health care delivery processes and outcomes.
- Implement knowledge of organizational policies and complex systems to influence delivery, cost, and quality of healthcare services.
- Facilitate the development of healthcare systems while addressing the complex issues concerning the care of individuals, populations, stakeholders.
- Integrate ethical principles while evaluating the impact between legal, social, political, economic, and ethical issues and their influence on the provision and management of patient care services.
- Provide patient-centered and evidenced-based care while functioning as an independent practitioner.