MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares graduates to practice as a primary care provider to a wide range of patients while focusing on health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention and illness management. The course instruction is delivered primarily online.
Students are asked to come to Bryan-College Station for a limited number of class activities. On-campus clinical hours are required to meet the clinical objectives as set forth by the American Association of Schools of Nursing for any MSN degree. Students will be expected to attend on-campus clinical experiences for NURS 653 Advanced Health Assessment to complete the required 45 clinical hours in two separate on-campus visits.
Students will also be required to travel to campus one to two times during the semesters they complete diagnostics and procedures and their four primary care courses.
Practice experiences with a preceptor may be obtained within the student's community of residence as long as the placement aligns with course objectives. The final decision on appropriate preceptor and clinical placement is determined by the program coordinator. Nurse practitioners are preferred, but physicians or physician assistants may serve in some courses. If a student does not have a clinical preceptor, the school will place them; however, this may involve travel and lodging at the student's expense. Further information on preceptors is provided at orientation.
Applicants must reside in the state of Texas and hold an active, unencumbered RN license to be eligible to apply. Students who relocate out of state during the course of their enrollment may be unable to continue due to the regulations which many state boards of nursing impose regarding use of preceptors.
Upon completion of course requirements, graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Family Nurse Practitioner and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Exams to be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Curriculum and Student Learning Outcomes
Full-Time Curriculum - 6 Semesters
|
Semester |
Curriculum |
Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
Summer |
NURS 617 Advanced Pathophysiology |
3 |
|
Fall
|
NURS 618 Advanced Pharmacology NURS 621 Diagnostics and Procedures (16 CLH*) NURS 653 Advanced Health Assessment (45 CLH*) |
3 2 3 |
|
Spring |
NURS 622 Primary Care of Families I (135 CLH*) NURS 652 Scholarship: Integration and Application |
6 3 |
|
Summer |
NURS 624 Primary Care of Families III (135 CLH*) NURS 654 Prevention and Population Health |
6 3 |
|
Fall |
NURS 623 Primary Care of Families II (135 CLH*) NURS 651 Quality Improvement and Health Informatics |
6 3 |
|
Spring |
NURS 620 Advanced Roles NURS 625 Primary Care of Families - Practicum (180 CLH*) NURS 656 Leadership & Policy |
3 4 3 |
|
TOTAL |
48 |
*CLH = clinical learning hours. These reflect the courses that require practicum hours in addition to class time.
Part-Time Curriculum - 8 Semesters
|
Semester |
|
Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
Fall |
NURS 617 Advanced Pathophysiology NURS 651 Quality Improvement & Informatics |
3 3 |
|
Spring |
NURS 652 Scholarship: Integration and Application NURS 656 Leadership & Policy |
3 3 |
|
Summer (10-week term) |
NURS 654 Prevention and Population Health |
3 |
|
Fall |
NURS 653 Advanced Health Assessment NURS 621 Diagnostics & Procedures NURS 618 Advanced Pharmacology |
3 2 3 |
|
Spring |
NURS 622 Primary Care of Families I |
6 |
|
Summer |
NURS 624 Primary Care of Families III |
6 |
|
Fall |
NURS 623 Primary Care of Families II |
6 |
|
Spring |
NURS 625 Primary Care of Families - Practicum NURS 620 Advanced Roles |
4 3 |
|
TOTAL |
48 |
At the completion of the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner degree program, graduates will be prepared to:
- Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and illness incorporating ethical, diverse and culturally sensitive approaches.
- Design, implement and evaluate therapeutic and preventative interventions based on nursing science, and other sciences and humanities.
- Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships and partnerships with individuals, families or populations.
- Use effective communication strategies to develop, participate and lead interprofessional teams and partnerships.
- Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking and accountability in designing, delivering and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in the provision of quality and safe patient care.
- Integrate principles of quality improvement, informatics and current and emerging technologies to optimize patient outcomes.
- Guide, mentor and support nurses and others to achieve excellence in patient care.
- Educate and guide individuals and groups in health-related transitions throughout the lifespan.
- Analyze the links among practice, organizational, population, fiscal and policy issues to advocate for improved patient outcomes.
Cost of Attendence
For cost of attendance, including estimated cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and more, visit Aggie One Stop.
Application Deadlines
| Application Opening Date | Oct. 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Jan. 1 | ||||
| Mandatory Orientation | TBD | ||||
| First Class Day | August | ||||
| If you have not received an admission decision through Nursing CAS by April 1 for fall admission, call 979.436.0110 and ask to speak with an admissions advisor to check on the status of your application. | |||||
Admission Criteria
- Completion of elementary statistics with a minimum grade of "C" by the first class day
- Cumulative GPA on all undergraduate coursework
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and RN license
- GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
- Timed verbal responses and written assessments
- References - three academic and/or professional references
- Volunteer/community/military service
- Leadership/involvement/awards in professional activities
- Preferred 1-2 years work experience as a baccalaureate RN
- TOEFL score, required by international applicants only
- History of withdrawals, repeats or failures will place applicant at a disadvantage
- Interview, if requested by Graduate Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee
-
Verification of at least 1500 BSN practice hours prior to the start of NURS 622
Application Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and RN license
- NursingCAS application and nonrefundable application fee
- Official School transcripts from each institution attended sent to NursingCAS (this includes Texas A&M University, if applicable)
- Completion of elementary statistics with a minimum grade of “C” by the first class day
- Online interview and online written assessments through the secondary assessment provider, Kira Talent (eligible applicants will be sent invitations to complete this portion following review of their NursingCAS application)
- Three professional reference evaluations (submitted in NursingCAS)
- Professional resume (submitted in NursingCAS)
- Recommended minimum 3.0 cumulative and last 60-hour GPA
- International applicant credentials (if applicable)
Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about our programs of study. These sessions provide details on admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, student life, clinical experiences and other opportunities. Students are required to attend an information sessions prior to requesting an individual appointment.
- Reservations are required to attend a session.
- Guests of registered attendees are welcome.
- Sessions last approximately 60-90 minutes.