© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated 11/03/2010
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NMSNFNP10B
Program of Study:
Master of Science in Nursing:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Program Description
The Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares experienced professional nurses
for advance practice as primary care providers. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) makes independent critical
judgments in all levels of prevention, including health promotion; illness prevention; and diagnosis and
management for individuals, families, communities, and populations. The FNP performs comprehensive health
assessments, diagnoses illness, and prescribes pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments to manage
acute and chronic health problems to achieve quality cost-effective outcomes in a culturally sensitive context.
The role of the nurse practitioner includes educating, consulting and collaborating, using research to make
practice decisions, and influencing professional and public policies. Within various practice settings, the FNP
provides health care for clients across the lifespan. A post-master’s certificate program is available to those
nurses who already have a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
Admission Requirements
1) An earned cumulative and science course undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.0 grading scale).
2) Post-master’s students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.0 grading scale) for graduate level
work.
3) Must be a graduate of an ADN/BSN program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE.
4) Must hold a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Arizona.
5) Must have 1,000 hours of work experience in a relevant area of professional nursing within the last 24
months.
6) An interview with a representative in the specialty area.
7) Completion of baccalaureate-level health assessment, statistics, and research courses. Courses must be
shown on official course transcripts or a letter must be written by the student to identify which courses
contained the content and provide an official course description.
8) Writing sample on randomly selected topics at the time of the interview. (The essay will be evaluated by the
FNP faculty.)
9) Computer skills for Web-enhanced program.
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated 11/03/2010
Page 2 of 6
NMSNFNP10B
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
NUR 502 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Roles and
Practice
This course examines nursing as a profession and a discipline and the role of the master’s prepared nurse as a leader in the profession. The theoretical foundations for nursing practice and roles are explored, critiqued, and applied. Emphasis is placed on developing scholarly writing and effective communication skills. Critical thinking skills are refined as students discuss and synthesize the literature that guides nursing practice with a special emphasis on holism, caring, diversity, and spirituality.
4
NUR 504 Health Care Research Analysis
and Utilization
This course focuses on the critical analysis of nursing and health care research and its application to nursing education, nursing practice, and the delivery of health care services. Emphasis is placed on strategies to access current and relevant data, synthesize the information, and translate new knowledge to practice. Ethical issues in the design and conduct of research are addressed. Prerequisite: NUR 502.
4
NUR 508 Ethics, Policy, and Finance in the Health Care System
This course utilizes health care policy as a framework to analyze how health is defined and health care is designed and delivered in the United States and around the world. Emphasis is placed on issues of cost, quality, access, disparities, and finance. The various roles of the master’s prepared nurse in the health care system are explored. Prerequisite: NUR 504.
4
NUR 642 Advanced
Physiology and Pathophysiology
This course focuses on advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles.
This course is used to guide the family nurse practitioner (FNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and clinical nurse specialist education (CNS-ED) student in interpreting changes in normal function that result in symptoms indicative of illness. Emphasis is placed on the genetic, molecular, cellular, and organ system levels.Co-requisite: NUR 644.
3
NUR 644 Advanced
Pharmacology
This course focuses on the advanced pharmacotherapy principles and practices to enable the family nurse practitioner (FNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and clinical nurse specialist education (CNS-ED) student to prescribe and monitor the effects of medications and selected herbal therapy.
Emphasis is on the pharmacodynamics of clients with health problems in various stages of the lifecycle in diverse populations. Evidence-based research provides the basis for selecting effective, safe, and cost-efficient pharmacologic or integrative regimens. Appropriate client education regarding various prescribed pharmacologic agents is incorporated. Legal requirements for prescriptive writing and dispensing authority are covered.
Co-requisite: NUR 642.
3
NUR 640 Advanced Health Assessment and
Diagnostic Reasoning with
Skills Lab
This course builds upon the student’s previous assessment skills, offering more advanced health assessment content to provide the foundation for the advanced practice nursing role. This course also emphasizes focused assessments for chief complaints, including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual health assessment; risk assessment; functional assessment; and physical examination in diverse populations. Students use a systematic method of diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making to establish differential diagnoses. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in performing a focused and comprehensive physical examination as evidence of course mastery.
3
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated 11/03/2010
Page 3 of 6
NMSNFNP10B
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
NUR 646 Health Promotion in Advanced Practice
Nursing
This course focuses on the advanced health promotion strategies of the nation’s priority lifestyle concerns throughout the lifespan as presented in the Healthy People 2010 National Health Objectives. Detailed evidence-based health promotion information and services—such as age, development, lifestyle, geography location, spirituality, and culture—are considered.
Professional and client community resources and referrals are examined.
Emphasis is placed on development of the advance practice nurse-client relationship to enhance the effectiveness of client education and counseling to promote healthy lifestyle changes. The use of integrative healing
(nonpharmacological) strategies in assisting clients to achieve goals of health promotion are introduced and evaluated based on evidence-based research.
The course has a community-focused perspective, addressing roles in delivering care to improve the health of the entire community. Students consider the relationship between community/public health issues and social problems as they impact the health care of their clients. Prerequisites: NUR 642 and NUR 644.
3
NUR 675 Advance Practice Management of Adult Health Care
Problems in Primary Care
This course focuses on the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of adult health care problems of individuals and their families within a culturally and spiritually diverse environment.
Advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, spirituality, and advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles are integrated with advanced nursing theory. Evidence-based research is utilized to develop comprehensive, cost-effective, least invasive, quality health care for adult health care problems. Care will include health promotion counseling, screening, and client education to optimize the client’s health. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision making. Management of client illness includes ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic integrative healing therapies, collaborating with other health professionals and community agencies, and pursuing appropriate follow-up. Prerequisites: NUR 640, NUR 642, NUR 644, and NUR 646. Co-requisite: NUR 675C.
3
NUR 675C Advance Practice Management of Adult Health Care
Problems in Primary Care
Clinical
The student will collaborate with faculty members to select a community- based, adult or primary care clinical site for completion of 150 clinical hours.
The clinical component for NUR 675 allows the student an opportunity to provide comprehensive health care to diverse clients across the lifespan.
Clinical hours are completed in person with a qualified preceptor (NP, DO, MD, DNM) and serve as the opportunity to demonstrate clinical skills, learn clinical decision-making skills, and learn the role of the advanced practice nurse in collaboration with experienced preceptors who serve as mentors. The clinical component of each course is accomplished during the same semester as the corresponding didactic course and is graded as Pass/Fail. Failure of a clinical course constitutes failure of the corresponding didactic course.
Prerequisites: NUR 640, NUR 642, NUR 644, and NUR 646. Co-Requisite:
NUR 675.
3
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated 11/03/2010
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NMSNFNP10B
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
NUR 668 Advance Practice Management of
Pediatric and Adolescent Health
Care Problems in Primary Care
This course focuses on the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of pediatric and adolescent health care problems of individuals and their families within a culturally and spiritually diverse environment. Advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles are integrated with spirituality concepts and advanced nursing theory. Evidence-based research is utilized to develop comprehensive, cost-effective, least invasive, quality health care for pediatric and adolescent health care problems. Care includes health promotion counseling, client education, and appropriate screening to optimize the client’s health. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision making. Management of client illness includes ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic integrative healing therapies, collaborating with other health professionals and community agencies, and pursuing appropriate follow-up. Prerequisite: NUR 675. Co-requisite NUR 668C.
3
NUR 668C Advance Practice Management of
Pediatric and Adolescent Health
Care Problems in Primary Care
Clinical
Students collaborate with faculty members to select a community-based pediatric or adolescent clinical site for completion of 150 clinical hours. The clinical component for NUR 668 allows the student an opportunity to provide comprehensive health care to diverse clients across the lifespan. Clinical hours are completed in person with a qualified preceptor (NP, DO, MD, DNM) and serve as the opportunity to demonstrate clinical skills, learn clinical decision-making skills, and learn the role of the advanced practice nurse in collaboration with experienced preceptors who serve as mentors. The clinical component of each course is accomplished during the same semester as the corresponding didactic course and is graded as Pass/Fail. Failure of a clinical course constitutes failure of the corresponding didactic course. Co- requisite NUR 668.
3
NUR 667 Advance Practice Management of Women’s Health Issues in Primary
Care
This course focuses on the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of women’s health care issues (including care of the pregnant patient) for individuals and their families within a culturally and spiritually diverse environment, contextually within the health care delivery system. Advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, spirituality, and advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles are integrated with advanced nursing theory. Evidence-based research is utilized to develop comprehensive, cost-effective, least invasive, quality health care for women.
Care includes health promotion counseling, screening, and client education to optimize the client’s health. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision making. Management of client illness includes ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic integrative healing therapies, collaborating with other health professionals and community agencies, and pursuing appropriate follow-up. Prerequisite: NUR 675. Co-requisite: NUR 667C.
1.5
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated 11/03/2010
Page 5 of 6
NMSNFNP10B
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
NUR 667C Advance Practice Management of Women’s Health Issues in Primary Care Clinical
Students collaborate with faculty members to select a community-based, women’s health-focused, clinical site for completion of 75 clinical hours. The clinical component for NUR 667 allows the student an opportunity to provide comprehensive health care to diverse clients across the lifespan. Clinical hours are completed in person with a qualified preceptor (NP, DO, MD, DNM) and serve as the opportunity to demonstrate clinical skills, learn clinical decision-making skills, and learn the role of the advanced practice nurse in collaboration with experienced preceptors who serve as mentors. The clinical component of each course is accomplished during the same semester as the corresponding didactic course and is graded as Pass/Fail. Failure of a clinical course constitutes failure of the corresponding didactic course. Co- requisite NUR 667.
1.5
NUR 664T Advance Practice Management of Geriatric Issues in
Primary Care
This course focuses on the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of geriatric health care problems of individuals and their families within a culturally and spiritually diverse environment.
Advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles are integrated with spirituality concepts and advanced nursing theory. Evidence-based research is utilized to develop comprehensive, cost-effective, least invasive, quality health care for geriatric clients. Care will include health promotion counseling, client education, and appropriate screening to optimize the client’s health. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision making. Management of client illness includes ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic integrative healing therapies, collaborating with other health professionals and community agencies, and pursuing appropriate follow-up. Prerequisite: NUR 675. Co- requisite NUR 664C.
1.5
NUR 664C Advance Practice Management of Geriatric Issues in
Primary Care Clinical
The student will collaborate with faculty members to select a community- based, geontological health-focused, clinical site for completion of 75 clinical hours. The clinical component for NUR 664T allows the student an
opportunity to provide comprehensive health care to diverse clients in late age. Clinical hours are completed in person with a qualified preceptor (NP, DO, MD, DNM) and serve as the opportunity to demonstrate clinical skills, learn clinical decision-making skills, and learn the role of the advanced practice nurse in collaboration with experienced preceptors who serve as mentors. The clinical component of each course is accomplished during the same semester as the corresponding didactic course and is graded as
Pass/Fail. Failure of a clinical course constitutes failure of the corresponding didactic course. Prerequisite: NUR 675. Co-requisite: NUR 664T.
1.5
NUR 654 Diverse Application of Advanced Practice Concepts
This course presents practice concepts that blend the function of the clinical nurse specialist with the family nurse practitioner (FNP) role for a futuristic vision for integration of these roles to include assessing and addressing the needs of client populations and nursing personnel across the continuum of care. Management concepts include case management, teaching of professionals, program planning, evaluation, peer review, broad-based consultation, marketing, business management, resource management, cost- effective use of formularies, and payment for services, including processing insurance claims. Prerequisite: One of the following: 1) NUR 652, 2) NUR 662, 3) NUR 675 and NUR 675C, or 4) NUR 643.
3
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated 11/03/2010
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NMSNFNP10B
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
NUR 681 Advanced Practice Practicum
In this culminating practicum experience, students provide comprehensive health care to diverse clients across the lifespan. The course includes the application concepts such as case management, teaching of professionals, peer reviews, cost-effective use of formularies, and coding for
reimbursement. Online case study discussions analyzed by evidence-based practice guidelines using the SOAP format are required. Prerequisite: NUR 664T, NUR 667, NUR 668, and NUR 675. Co-requisite: NUR 681.
2
NUR 681C Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum
Students collaborate with faculty members to select a community-based primary or family health-focused clinical site for completion of 200 clinical hours. This clinical practice will afford students opportunity to refine their clinical decision management of primary health problems for diverse clients across the lifespan. Prerequisite: All prior coursework. Co-requisites: NUR 681 and NUR 699.
2
NUR 699 Evidence-Based Practice Project
This capstone course provides an opportunity for students to develop an evidence-based practice project proposal that addresses a problem, issue, or concern in professional practice. Students identify a problem amenable to research-based intervention; search literature; propose a solution; and develop a plan to implement the solution, evaluate its outcome(s), and disseminate the findings. Problems identified are those that are appropriate to students’
specialty tracks: nursing leadership, nursing education, clinical nurse specialist, and family nurse practitioner. Prerequisite: One of the following:
1) NUR 508 or 2) NUR 508 and NUR 649E.
4
