Adult Health Advanced Practice Nursing
MSN Degree Programs
- Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- Adult Nurse Practitioner with Cardiovascular Subspecialty
- Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist with Cardiovascular Subspecialty
Overview
This Master of Science in Nursing program prepares professional nurses to assume leadership roles at an advanced-practice level that will be effective in assisting people across their lifespan to promote, maintain and regain an optimal level of health. Graduates are prepared for independent and collaborative decision making in physical and psychosocial assessment, health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention and management of acute and chronic health problems in individuals and families. Emphasis is given to care of individuals and families in vulnerable populations.
Students in this major may choose between two role options: the CNS role or the nurse-practitioner role. Each role blends practice, education, consultation and collaboration. While the education of the CNS and ANP overlaps in many areas, the CNS is first and foremost a clinical expert who provides advanced practice to patients with complex health problems. This can be through direct care as well as indirect care involving staff education, case management or the management of system change in complex organizations. The nurse-practitioner role focuses on diagnosis, treatment and the management of common acute conditions and stable chronic conditions in a primary care setting. There is also a strong emphasis on wellness and prevention.
Curriculum
The adult nursing major consists of 39 to 43 hours of study depending on the role selected, CNS or NP The program plan provides students with core nursing courses, specialty courses and clinical required for advanced-practice licensure. For more information, please see Adult program plans for each program (linked above).
Clinical Experience Requirement
2,000 hours of recent clinical nursing experience is required prior to beginning the first practicum in the nursing specialty to which you are applying.
