Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner Programs

Description

The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN (FNP-MSN) degree is offered at Simmons' Boston campus in the following pathways: BS with a major in Nursing or BSN to MSN and Direct Entry for BA/BS holders who desire to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses - Family Nurse Practitioners prepared to practice in primary care.

The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN degree is offered online (Nursing@Simmons). The FNP MSN is intended for currently licensed Registered Nurses who hold a BS with a major in nursing or a BSN who desire to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses - Family Nurse Practitioners prepared to practice in primary care.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN (PMHNP-MSN) degree is offered online (Nursing@Simmons). This MSN PMHNP is intended for currently licensed Registered Nurses who hold a BS with a major in nursing or a BSN who desire to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.

Learning Outcomes

Critique, evaluate, synthesize and utilize theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge as applied to the assessment and management of both primary and acute health and illness states.
Demonstrate a personal, collegial, and collaborative approach as an advanced practice Nurse while emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention and identification of environmental factors that impact health status across the lifespan.
Develop an understanding and appreciation of human diversity as an advanced practice professional to assure the delivery of appropriate and individualized health care across the curriculum.
Demonstrate sound critical thinking and clinical decision making reflected in effective written and verbal communications skills, utilized by the advanced practice Nurse in a complex delivery system.
Demonstrate personal qualities and professional behaviors which are assertive and engage in advanced practice activities that advocate for on-going change and leadership within Nursing and in the health care system.
Apply critical thinking skills within a multidisciplinary approach to care which fosters strategies and assembles multifaceted resources to empower patients, families and communities to attain and maintain maximal functional wellness.
Demonstrate Nursing judgments and interventions which provide culturally sensitive care for diverse populations.
Demonstrate Nursing practices which address human differences.
Design and implement evidence-based primary health care practices in varied health care systems
Assume a leadership role in the management of patients, communities and larger systems.
Initiate changes in patient care and in the health care system through negotiations with other health care professionals.
Evaluate the efficacy of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment interventions through the application of knowledge of health care systems, economics, policy, ethics and politics.
Conduct clinical Nursing research designed to advance the science of Nursing.
Advance professional growth through continued acquisition of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience, and through participation and/or leadership in professional and community

Course Sequences for the FNP MSN

Students who entered the program May 2020 or later OR students who entered prior to May 2020 and transitioned to a new plan of study to accommodate the new curriculum sequence please see below.

Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course- FNP

Immersion & Clinical Qualification is an on-campus course requirement. Students must successfully pass the 3Ps (CHSO/CHSC 404, NURP/NURS 424, and NURP/NURS 530), NURP/NURS 531, NURP/NURS 532, and must be concurrently enrolled in NURP/NURS 533 (or already have successfully completed NURP/NURS 533) in order to be eligible to attend Immersion Weekend (NURP/NURS 534).

Students who do not pass NURP/NURS 533 will still be permitted to complete NURP/NURS 534 and attend the Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course at the end of the term in which they are enrolled in NURP/NURS 534. Students must repeat NURP/NURS 533 successfully, prior to starting NURP/NURS 535.

Students who drop or withdraw from NURP/NURS 533 during the term, will also need to withdraw from NURP/NURS 534, and enroll in both courses again in a subsequent term.

Students who fail the Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course must retake NURP/NURS 534 prior to beginning NURP/NURS 535: FNP Clinical Decision Making I. Once students have successfully completed NURP/NURS 534: Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course, they will proceed to NURP/NURS 535: FNP Clinical Decision Making I and began their clinical rotations.

Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course- PMHNP

Immersion & Clinical Qualification is an on-campus course requirement. Students must successfully pass the 3Ps (CHSO 404, NURP 424, and NURP 530), and NURP 426, 540, 541, 542.
NURP 543 & 544 are pre or co-requisites to NURP 534 Immersion Weekend.

Students who do not pass NURP 543 or 544 will still be permitted to complete NURP 534 and attend Immersion & Clinical Qualification at the end of the term in which they are enrolled in NURP 534. However, students must repeat NURP 543 and/or 544 successfully, prior to starting NURP 545 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making I.
Students who drop or withdraw from NURP 543 or 544 during the term, will also need to withdraw from NURP 534, and enroll again in a subsequent term.
Students who fail the Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course must retake and pass NURP 534 prior to beginning NURP 545: PMHNP: Clinical Decision-Making I. Once students have successfully completed NURP 534: Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course, they will proceed to NURP 545: PMHNP Clinical Decision Making I and begin their clinical rotations.

Licensure, certification, etc.

All Direct Entry students are required to take the Simmons-sponsored NCLEX review course following the pre-licensure curriculum. DE students are required to complete and pass the NCLEX exam after pre-licensure coursework has been completed and must provide proof of RN licensure by May 1 of the term following completion of pre-licensure coursework.

Upon completion of the MSN FNP program, students will be eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner national board-certifying exam (AANP or ANCC) and become licensed as an FNP by state boards of Nursing across the US for practice. The program prepares students to also obtain a DEA number for prescriptive authority based on individual state regulations.

Upon completion of the MSN PMHNP program, students will be eligible to sit for the national Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner board certification exam with ANCC to become a PMHNP-BC and licensed by state boards of nursing across the US for practice. The program prepares students to also obtain a DEA number for prescriptive authority based on individual state regulations.

MSN-FNP for BS major in nursing or BSN

Description

The program is designed for registered nurses with bachelor's degrees in nursing who wish to advance their careers with a graduate degree in nursing. The MSN consists of three components – foundational courses, primary care, and research. We prepare students to deliver primary health care to diverse populations across the lifespan. You will focus on health promotion and education, disease prevention, and learn to assess and manage patients with acute and chronic illnesses.

Graduates of this program are prepared to take the family nurse practitioner certification exam, and find success in positions in primary health care and community care settings, private practice, specialty medicine, public health, academia, and beyond. Graduates of this program are also prepared to enter Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD programs to further advance their careers.

The FNP MSN for Bachelor’s prepared nurses is offered on campus in Boston and online via Nursing@Simmons.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the BS-MSN program must have a current unencumbered/unrestricted United States RN license in good standing and a BSN or BS with a major in nursing from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Statistics Prerequisite: Applicants must have taken an undergraduate statistics course at a regionally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution within 7 years prior to the application deadline. The course must be equal to a semester in length and a grade of B or better is required. The course may be in progress at the time of application and must be completed before the start of the program.

FNP MSN Course Prerequisite and Corequisite Rules

(Direct Entry and RN to MSN students should consult additional pre- and co-requisite rules noted in those sections, below.)

Advanced Pathophysiology (404): Students must successfully complete CHSO 404 prior to attempting NURP 424 and NURP 530.
Advanced Pharmacology (424) & Advanced Health Assessment (530): Students must pass the 3Ps (courses outlined above), prior to entering their didactic primary care courses, immersion weekend and clinical courses.
FNP I Primary Care Nursing of the Child Bearing Family (531) & FNP II Primary Care Nursing (532): Students can take these courses as corequisites; Students must successfully complete their 3Ps prior to taking these courses
FNP III Primary Care Nursing (533): Students .must successfully complete their 3Ps prior to taking this course; Students must successfully complete FNP I Primary Care (531) and FNP II Primary Care Nursing (532) prior to taking FNP III Primary Care Nursing (533).
Immersion Weekend (534): Students must successfully complete their 3Ps, 531, 532 and must be currently enrolled in 533 (or already have successfully completed 533) in order to be eligible to attend Immersion Weekend (NURP/NURS 534).
FNP Clinical Decision Making I (535): Students must successfully complete all required didactic courses, except NURP/NURS 411 - Scholarly Inquiry, prior to taking FNP Clinical Decision Making I (535).
FNP Clinical Decision Making II (536): Students must successfully complete their 3Ps, 531, 532, 533, 534, and 535 prior to taking FNP Clinical Decision Making II (536).
Scholarly Inquiry (411): Students must pass Research Methods (410) before taking Scholarly Inquiry (411).

FNP MSN Clinical Placement

Placements occur during the final two terms of the program, 535 & 536.
Clinical education covers related content in two settings: mastery of didactic knowledge in the academic setting and application of didactic knowledge to practice in clinical settings.
Students will attend their clinical placement approximately 24 hours per week for two 14-week terms to complete a minimum of 672 clinical hours.

Clinical education carries a total of 12 credits.

Online Full-Time Sequence

Term One

CHSO 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURP 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
NURP 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2
NURP 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Term Two

NURP 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURP 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span	3
NURP 450	Health Care System: Interdisiplinary Perspectives	3

Term Three

NURP 531	FNP I Primary Care Nursing	3
NURP 532	FNP II Primary Care Nursing	3
NURP 505	Family Theory: Health & Illness	2

Term Four

NURP 533	FNP III Primary Care Nursing	3
NURP 534	Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1
NURP 410	Research Methods	3

Term Five

NURP 535	FNP Clinical Decision Making I	6
NURP 411	Scholarly Inquiry	4

Term Six

NURP 536

FNP Clinical Decision Making II

Online Part-time Sequence

Term One

CHSO 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURP 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
NURP 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Term Two

NURP 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURP 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span	3
NURP 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2

Term Three

NURP 531	FNP I Primary Care Nursing	3
NURP 450	Health Care System: Interdisiplinary Perspectives	3

Term Four

NURP 505	Family Theory: Health & Illness	2
NURP 532	FNP II Primary Care Nursing	3

Term Five

NURP 410	Research Methods	3
NURP 533	FNP III Primary Care Nursing	3
NURP 534	Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1

Term Six

NURP 535	FNP Clinical Decision Making I	6
NURP 411	Scholarly Inquiry	4

Term Seven

NURP 536

FNP Clinical Decision Making II

On Campus Full-Time Sequence

Students complete 48 course credits.

Year 1 Fall

NURS 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
NURS 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2
CHSC 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURS 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Year 1 Spring

NURS 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
SNHS 450	Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives	3

Year 1 Summer

NURS 531	FNP I Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 532	FNP II Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 505	Family Theory: Health and Illness	2

Year 2 Fall

NURS 533	FNP III Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 534	Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1
NURS 410	Research Methods	3

Year 2 Spring

NURS 411	Scholarly Inquiry	4
NURS 535	FNP Clinical Decision Making I	6

Year 2 Summer

NURS 536

FNP Clinical Decision Making II

On Campus Part-Time Sequence

Year 1 Fall

NURS 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
CHSC 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURS 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Year 1 Spring

NURS 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2

Year 1 Summer

NURS 531	FNP I Primary Care Nursing	3
SNHS 450	Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives	3

Year 2 Fall

NURS 505	Family Theory: Health and Illness	2
NURS 532	FNP II Primary Care Nursing	3

Year 2 Spring

NURS 533	FNP III Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 534	Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1
NURS 410	Research Methods	3

Year 2 Summer

NURS 411	Scholarly Inquiry	4
NURS 535	FNP Clinical Decision Making I	6

Year 3 Fall

NURS 536

FNP Clinical Decision Making II

Students complete 48 course credits.

MSN-FNP for BA or BS Holders Direct Entry

Description

This on campus program is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. Whether your degree is in psychology, chemical engineering or English, once you have completed the prerequisite courses for admission, you will be on your way to an MS in Nursing.

Students complete the pre-licensure Nursing curriculum full time on campus for the first four semesters of the program. You will learn from leaders in Nursing and Health Care and be prepared for the registered nurse (NCLEX) exam. Upon passing, you will move into the graduate portion of the program, which consists of three components – foundational courses, primary care, and research. We prepare students to deliver primary health care to diverse populations across the lifespan. Graduates of this program are prepared to take the family nurse practitioner (FNP) national board certification exam (AANP or ANCC). Our students find success in positions in primary health care, community care settings, specialty medicine, public health, academia and beyond. Graduates of this program are also prepared to enter Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs or PhD programs to further advance their careers.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have a BS or BA from a regionally accredited US college or university or a post-secondary institution abroad which is recognized by the Ministry of Education in the home country in a discipline other than Nursing to apply.

Prerequisites:

All prerequisite courses must have been completed within ten years prior to the application deadline; all must have grades (pass/fail or audit courses, AP (Advanced Placement), IB or CLEP scores do not fulfill prerequisites) and all must have been taken at a regionally accredited institution or at a post-secondary institution abroad recognized by the Ministry of Education in the home country.

A cumulative GPA (of all institutions attended) of 3.0 and a 3.0 in all prerequisites. Prerequisite courses (based on semester systems) required for admission:

Statistics: One semester of statistics, can be taken in a math, psychology or science department. Course content must include principles of probability, binomial and normal distributions, sample statistics, estimation and testing of hypotheses and linear regression and correlation.
Developmental Psychology: One semester of developmental psychology. Course content must span birth to death; general psychology does not meet this requirement. A series of appropriate courses in combination could fulfill the prerequisite, such as prenatal to adolescence, young-middle adulthood, aging and dying.
Microbiology: One semester of microbiology with a lab.
Human Anatomy and Physiology: Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with lab. Animal physiology will not meet this requirement.
Inorganic Chemistry: One semester of inorganic chemistry with lab. (Usually General Chemistry I and II will fulfill the inorganic and organic chemistry prerequisites).
Organic Chemistry: One semester of organic chemistry with lab. (Usually General Chemistry I and II will fulfill the inorganic and organic chemistry prerequisites.

FNP MSN Direct Entry Pre-Licensure Clinical Placement

Placements occur during NURS 448, NURS 419, NURS 426, NURS 438, NURS 449, NURS 447, NURS 487

Direct Entry Prerequisite and Corequisite Rules

DE Pre-Licensure Courses: DE students must take pre-licensure courses in the sequence in which they are listed. No variation is allowed.

NURS 438: Students must pass NURS 426 before they can take NURS 438.

NURS 426: Students must pass or be enrolled in CHSC 404 and NURS 435 before they can take NURS 426.

Direct Entry Pre-Licensure Sequence

NCLEX

*All students must pass and submit proof of passing the NCLEX before starting the second term (Year 2 Summer) of the post-licensure portion of the program.

The Direct Entry MSN program for BA/BS Holders is 96 credits.

Year 1 Fall

NURS 426	Variances in Health Patterns of Adults and Elders I	2
NURS 435	Integrated Pharmacology & Pathophysiology	4
NURS 494	Nursing Fundamentals & Health Assessment	4
CHSC 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3

Year 1 Spring

NURS 438	Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing	6
NURS 448	Variances in Health Patterns of Clients with Psychiatric and Mental Illness	4
SNHS 450	Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives	3

Year 1 Summer

NURS 447	Variances in Health Patterns of the Childbearing Family	4
NURS 449	Variances in Health Patterns of the Childrearing Family	4
NURS 487	Nursing Care of Individuals, Families, and Communities	4

Year 2 Fall

NURS 455GR	Clinical Decision Making & Complex Care	4
NURS 495	Contemporary Issues & Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing	4
NURS 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
NURS 419	Clinical Capstone Practicum	2
NURS 469	Caring at the End of Life	4

Direct Entry Post-Licensure Full-Time Sequence

Year 2 Spring

NURS 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Year 2 Summer

NURS 531	FNP I Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 532	FNP II Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 505	Family Theory: Health and Illness	2

Year 3 Fall

NURS 533	FNP III Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 534	Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1
NURS 410	Research Methods	3
NURS 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2

Year 3 Spring

NURS 411	Scholarly Inquiry	4
NURS 535	FNP Clinical Decision Making I	6

Year 3 Summer

NURS 536

FNP Clinical Decision Making II

Direct Entry Post-Licensure Part-Time Sequence

Year 2 Spring

NURS 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Year 2 Summer

NURS 531	FNP I Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 505	Family Theory: Health and Illness	2

Year 3 Fall

NURS 532	FNP II Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2

Year 3 Spring

NURS 533	FNP III Primary Care Nursing	3
NURS 534	Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1
NURS 410	Research Methods	3

Year 3 Summer

NURS 535	FNP Clinical Decision Making I	6
NURS 411	Scholarly Inquiry	4

Year 4 Fall

NURS 536

FNP Clinical Decision Making II

The Direct Entry MSN program for BA/BS Holders is 96 credits.

MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This PMHNP MSN is intended for currently licensed Registered Nurses who hold a BS with a major in nursing or a BSN and desire to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.

The goal of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track is to graduate Advanced Practice nurses who specialize in the care of children through older adult patients to promote health and treat those living with psychiatric and mental health conditions. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are critical in all clinical settings and are a key component to assisting with closing the gap around the mental health provider shortage, particularly among patients being able to adequately access psychiatric prescribers. PMHNPs assess, diagnose, treat, and manage issues related to mental health and substance abuse. PMHNPs will effectively partner with patients and their families and interdisciplinary colleagues to promote mental health and well-being.

The program has been created in line with the standards for advanced practice nursing graduate education by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties Core and Mental Health Specialty competencies, National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, and American Psychiatric Association practice guidelines, all of which combined ensure that nurse practitioners graduate with a comprehensive background in medical sciences on top of their nursing background.

Clinical Courses for PMHNP

NURP 545: PMHNP Clinical Decision Making I (6 Credits)
NURP 546: PMHNP Clinical Decision Making II (6 Credits)

Certification

Students who complete this MSN PMHNP program will be eligible to sit for the national Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner board certification exam with ANCC to become a PMHNP-BC and licensed by state boards of nursing across the US for practice. The program prepares students to also obtain a DEA number for prescriptive authority based on state rules and regulations.

Online Full-time PMHNP Sequence

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program is 47 credits.

Term One

NURP 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURP 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2
NURP 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
NURP 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Term Two

NURP 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURP 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span	3
NURP 450	Health Care System: Interdisiplinary Perspectives	3

Term Three

NURP 426	Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURP 540	Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders	2
NURP 541	PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan	2
NURP 542	PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management	2

Term Four

NURP 410	Research Methods	3
NURP 543	PMHNP III: Diagnosis & Management	3
NURP 544	PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine	2
NURP 534P	PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1

Term Five

NURP 545

PMHNP Clinical Decision Making I

Term Six

NURP 546

PMHNP Clinical Decision Making II

Online Part-time PMHNP Sequence

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program is 47 credits.

Term One

CHSO 404	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURP 589	Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics	2
NURP 402	Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse	1

Term Two

NURP 424	Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURP 530	Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span	3

Term Three

NURP 426	Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan	3
NURP 450	Health Care System: Interdisiplinary Perspectives	3
NURP 540	Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders	2

Term Four

NURP 410	Research Methods	3
NURP 541	PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan	2
NURP 542	PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management	2

Term Five

NURP 543	PMHNP III: Diagnosis & Management	3
NURP 544	PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine	2
NURP 570	Health Promotion Global Perspective	2
NURP 534P	PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course	1

Term Six

NURP 545

PMHNP Clinical Decision Making I

Term Seven

NURP 546

PMHNP Clinical Decision Making II

Other program information

Please consult your program’s Student Handbook for additional information about Health Clearance, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Mandatory Clinical Orientation, Agency-Specific Requirements, Criminal Offender Record Inquiry, and other related policies.