Master of Science in Nursing Tracks

Description

The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN (FNP-MSN) degree is offered at Simmons' Boston campus, as well as full 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 for the Master’s APRN Curriculum

Provide person-centered care across the lifespan to a diverse population while considering the social determinants of health.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 2 and 3).
Evaluate and manage health care needs of communities and individuals through the application of advanced nursing knowledge.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 1).
Conduct nursing research designed to advance the science of nursing and scholarship for the profession.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 4).
Engage in evidence-based practice and quality improvement, leveraging informatics and healthcare technologies, to reduce inequities and improve health outcomes.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 5, 8).
Cultivate interprofessionalism and leadership to guide practice as an advanced practice registered nurse.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 6, 9).
Analyze healthcare systems to disrupt structural barriers and optimize healthcare outcomes in a global society.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 7).
Advocate for policies at institutional and societal levels that promote social justice in healthcare.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 10).
Advance professional growth through continued acquisition of theoretical knowledge, clinical experience, participation in self care and the professional community.
- (AACN Essentials, 2021 Domain 10).

Prerequisites

Successfully completed (with a grade of C+ or better) a three-credit course in statistics before the start of the program in September. If you do not meet this requirement, please contact an Admission Counselor at son-admission@simmons.edu to discuss options for fulfilling this requirement.

Applicants who have exceeded two prerequisite retakes (two separate prerequisite course repeats or one prerequisite course repeated twice) within the past 7 years are not eligible to apply. Successfully completed (with a grade of C+ or better) a three-credit course in statistics within the last seven years. If you do not meet this requirement, please contact an admission counselor to discuss other options for fulfilling this requirement.

Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course - APRN Tracks

Immersion & Clinical Qualification is an on-campus course requirement for students in the MSN-FNP and MSN-PMHNP programs. Prior to attendance, students must successfully complete the 3 Ps (CHSO 404, NURP 424, and NURP 530), as well as the below-listed program-specific requirements.

Program-Specific Requirements

NURP 534: FNP

Students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in FNP I, FNP II, and FNP III (NURP 561, NURP 562, and NURP 563).
Students who do not pass one or more of their primary care courses 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. Students must complete NURP 561, NURP 562, and/or NURP 563 successfully, prior to starting NURP 510.
Students who drop or withdraw from NURP 564 and/or NURP 565 during the term, will also need to withdraw from NURP 534/NURS 534, and enroll in all required courses again in a subsequent term.
Students who fail the Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course must retake NURP 534/NURS 534 prior to beginning NURP 510: FNP Clinical Decision Making I. Once students have successfully completed NURP 534/NURS 534: Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course, they will proceed to NURP 510: FNP Clinical Decision Making I and began their clinical rotations.

NURP 534P: PMHNP

Students must have completed PMHNP I & PMHNP II (NURP 541 & NURP 542) and be concurrently enrolled in PMHNP III & PMHNP IV (NURP 543 & NURP 544)
Students who do not pass NURP 543 or NURP 544 will still be permitted to complete NURP 534P and attend PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification at the end of the term in which they are enrolled in NURP 534P. However, students must repeat NURP 543 and/or NURP 544 successfully, prior to starting NURP 521 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making II.
Students who drop or withdraw from NURP 543 or NURP 544 during the term will also need to withdraw from NURP 534P and enroll again in a subsequent term.

Licensure, Certification, etc.

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.

Description

The MSN Leadership track is offered in partnership with Longwood and greater Boston organizations as a campus cohort model, as well as online (Nursing@Simmons). The MSN Leadership is intended for currently licensed Registered Nurses who hold a BS with a major in nursing or a BSN who desire to become leaders within their organization and the nursing profession.

Learning Outcomes for Nurse Leadership Curriculum

Analyze the complex healthcare system as it relates to leadership in nursing practice.
Evaluate steps in the budget planning process.
Interpret data to make informed decisions about quality improvement initiatives.
Assemble diverse healthcare teams to provide safe, effective, fiscally responsible, equitable, and patient-centered care.
Appraise organizational policies in order to promote growth in nursing leadership.