M.S. in Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Courses

NU 670: Family Nurse Practitioner I

In this Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) course students collaborate with faculty to plan care for adults and their families across the lifespan. Strategies for addressing population based health issues are critically evaluated. A focus is on evidence- based health promotion, risk reduction and wellness care for the adult and geriatric population.  Collaboration with other healthcare professionals, research in the area of wellness in adult health, and education of adults and families are emphasized. A culture of collaboration will promote health outcomes for disease prevention in adult and gerontology care.  Advanced practice role development is integrated throughout the course. This course supports the knowledge base for FNP students in achieving adult nurse practitioner competencies.

3 credits —Pre-req: NU 680; Co-req: NU 671
 

NU 671: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical I

In this clinical experience, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students collaborate with preceptors and faculty to provide care for adults and their families across the lifespan. The focus will be on evidence-based health promotion, risk reduction and wellness care in adult and geriatric populations. The students will apply the principles of epidemiology, health assessment, diagnosis and management at an advanced practice level. Interdisciplinary experiences will be pursued and collaborative practice emphasized. Requires 175 clinical hours.

1 credit —Co-req: NU 670
 

NU 672: Family Nurse Practitioner II

In this Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) course students will focus on the delivery of health care from infancy through adolescence incorporating the principles of well childcare, health promotion, and disease prevention including the concepts of growth and development and screening procedures. Emphasis is on advanced pathophysiology, assessment and diagnostic strategies specific to acute and common problems in the pediatric population. Focus is on clinical interventions to enhance, maintain, and restore health in context of family and community environments. Students will develop skills for collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and effective utilization of community resources.

3 credits —Pre-req: NU670, NU 671; Co-req: NU 673
 

NU 673: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical II

In this clinical experience, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students collaborate with preceptors and faculty to provide care for pediatric clients and their families. The focus will be on evidence based health promotion, risk reduction and wellness care in the pediatric population. The students will apply the principles of epidemiology, health assessment, diagnosis and management at an advanced practice level. Interdisciplinary experiences will be pursued and collaborative practice emphasized. Requires 175 clinical hours.

1 credit —Co-req: NU 672
 

NU 674: Family Nurse Practitioner III

In this Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) course students will focus on the delivery of health care to an important segment of the population, specifically women’s health. Students will incorporate the principles of wellness care, health promotion, and disease prevention. Emphasis is on advanced pathophysiology, assessment and diagnostic strategies specific to common gynecologic conditions/illnesses and conditions found in women, as well as holistic family-centered care throughout the reproductive and childbearing years. Focus is on clinical interventions to enhance, maintain, and restore health in context of family and community environments. Students will continue to develop their skills for collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and effective utilization of community resources. Contemporary issues impacting women’s health will be explored.

3 credits —Pre-req: NU 672 and NU 673; Co-req: NU 675, NU 678
 

NU 675: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical III

In this clinical experience, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students collaborate with preceptors and faculty to provide care for women. The focus will be on evidence based health promotion, risk reduction and wellness care in women. The students will apply the principles of epidemiology, health assessment, diagnosis and management at an advanced practice level. Interdisciplinary experiences will be pursued and collaborative practice emphasized. Requires 175 clinical hours.

1 credit —Co-req: NU 674
 

NU 676: Family Nurse Practitioner IV

In this Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) course students collaborate with faculty to plan care for the adult and geriatric populations and their families who present with complex acute and chronic health problems.  Students will interpret findings, apply epidemiological concepts and develop plans of care for adult populations including the frail elderly adult.  Principles of case management, interdisciplinary consultation and evidence-based research in the area of complex acute and chronic problems are explored. Students will develop increased expertise in diagnostic reasoning and clinical inquiry.  This course will critically appraise the use of standards of care and clinical practice guidelines for the integration of best evidence in the management of complex health problems to assure safe, evidence-based care. 

3 credits —Pre-req: NU 674 and NU 675; Co-req: NU 677, NU 679
 

NU 677: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical IV

In this clinical experience Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students collaborate with faculty and preceptors to deliver for adult client populations and their families who present with complex acute and chronic health problems.  Students interpret findings, apply epidemiological concepts and deliver plans of care for adults including the frail elderly adult.  Principles of case management, interdisciplinary consultation and evidence based research in the area of complex acute and chronic problems are implemented. In the clinical setting, students will develop increased expertise in diagnostic reasoning and clinical inquiry.  Students will critically apply standards of care and clinical practice guidelines of complex health problems to assure safe, evidence based care. Requires 175 clinical hours.

1 credit —Co-req: NU 676
 

NU 678: Family Nurse Practitioner Capstone I

In this course the student will be expected to create a project proposal related to a practice innovation to improve care for an identified population. Didactic and clinical experiences of the FNP program are synthesized in the development of this project. The project provides evidence of attainment of competencies, focusing on the unique practice knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the FNP. The student must have faculty approval for the selected project and will meet with faculty throughout the semester for guidance and support. Monthly seminars will be held to review the process and progress of the project and will allow a forum for sharing and feedback from peers. This semester culminates in the completion of the project proposal.

1 credit —Co-req: NU 674 and NU 675
 

NU 679: Family Nurse Practitioner Capstone II

In this course during the last semester of the academic program, the student will implement and evaluate the clinical project developed in NU 676. The student will continue to synthesize both didactic and clinical experiences of the FNP program. The implementation and evaluation of the clinical project provides evidence of attainment of competencies, focusing on the unique practice knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the FNP. The student meets with faculty throughout the semester for guidance and support. Monthly seminars will be held to review the process and progress of the project and will allow a forum for sharing and feedback from peers. Upon completion, the student will be expected to present the capstone project at a venue approved by faculty.

1 credit —Pre-req: NU 678; Co-req: NU 676 and NU 677