Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

Degree Overview
Course List
Program Location

The Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner degree is an advanced practice degree that prepares experienced professional nurses for advanced 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 of health conditions for individuals, families, communities, and populations. The FNP, as an advanced practice nurse, may be prepared to provide primary health care to individuals of all ages from infants through adulthood. Historically, the FNP has significantly contributed to the health care of the underserved populations in both urban and rural areas.

The family nurse practitioner performs comprehensive health assessments, diagnoses illness, and prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic 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 family nurse practitioner provides health care for clients across the lifespan. This family nurse practitioner degree program includes an exploration of the following topics: nursing and health care research; ethics, policy and finance in the health care system; advanced physiology and pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning; health promotion; management of adult health care problems; management of pediatric and adolescent health care problems; management of women's health care issues; and the management of geriatric issues in primary care.

This program also includes a 650-hour practicum experience, in which students collaborate with faculty members to select a community-based primary or family health-focused clinical site. This clinical practicum affords students the opportunity to apply clinical-decision management of primary health problems for diverse clients across the life span. Students analyze case studies in accordance with the guidelines of evidence-based practice and current standards of care.The family nurse practitioner degree program culminates in a capstone course which 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.

A post-master's certificate program is available to those nurses who already have a Master of Science in Nursing degree and are looking to advance their career as a family nurse practitioner.

Course List

Course #	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 individual nurse‛s role as a member of the profession. The theoretical foundations for nursing practice and roles are explored and applied. Emphasis is placed on developing scholarly writing and presentation skills. Critical thinking skills are refined as students discuss and synthesize the literature that guides nursing practice with a special emphasis on 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 Web-enhanced course focuses on the 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. The emphasis is placed on the genetic, molecular, cellular, and organ system levels. Co-requisite: NUR 644.	3
NUR-644	Advanced Pharmacology	This Web-enhanced course focuses on the advanced pharmacotherapy principles and practices to enable the family nurse practitioner (FNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and the 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 common, acute, and chronic 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 as to various prescribed pharmacologic agents in incorporated. Legal requirements for prescriptive writing and dispensing authority are covered. Prerequisite: One of the following: 1) NUR 640; or 2) none. 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 gives emphasis to focused assessments for a chief complaint that include 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 a differential diagnosis. An overview of appropriate protocols for performing health screening and for ordering, performing, and interpreting lab, radiographic, and other diagnostic data is included based on best practice consistent with resource allocations. Topics—from effective communication and client teaching/counseling to eliciting clients‛ interpretation of their health status and perceived barriers—are incorporated throughout the course to maintain a nursing focus on patient responses to illness or the threat of illness. Effective documentation and medical recordkeeping are required. Prerequisites: One of the following combinations: 1) Undergraduate Health Assessment course; or 2) NUR 642 and NUR 644.	3
NUR-646	Health Promotion 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 advanced 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. Prerequisite: NUR 640.	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
NUR-668	Advanced Practice Management of Pediatric & 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	Advanced Practice Management of Pediatric & 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 Care 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
NUR-667C	Advance Practice Management of Women's Health Care 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 Applications 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
NUR-682C	Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum	In this 16-week culminating practicum experience, 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 affords students the opportunity to refine their clinical-decision management of primary health problems for diverse clients across the life span. Students use the SOAP method to analyze case studies in accordance with the guidelines of evidence-based practice and current standards of care.	4
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. This course must be taken after completion of specialty courses. Prerequisite: One of the following: 1) NUR 508 or 2) NUR 508 and NUR 649E.	4
Required Course Total Credit:			53

Courses:

53 credits

This program is offered in the following formats or locations:

Evening

To meet the demands of today's working adults, this degree is offered through our convenient evening program. Classes meet one evening per week and allow you to interact directly with instructors and peers face-to-face. Locations vary - speak with an enrollment counselor to learn more.

Program Disclosure

Category	Non-Traditional	Traditional
Books & Supplies (Per Program)	$935	N/A
Tuition & Fees (Per Program)	$32,350	N/A
Room & Board (Per Semester, If Applicable)	$3,434
On Time Graduation Rate	80%	N/A
Median Private Loan Debt	$0	N/A
Median TIV Loan Debt	$33,946	N/A
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt	N/A	N/A

Program SOC

Occupations

Family Practice Nurse

Registered Nurses

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Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.
Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.
Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.
N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.
Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.
On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.
Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.
Program availability is contingent on student enrollment.

Disclosure Information

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.