Nursing (M.S.N.)
Marymount’s Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization prepares nurse practitioners to provide primary care to the family. An in-depth study is made of health as well as common acute and chronic illnesses throughout the life cycle. Laboratory and clinical experiences are provided to develop competence in the diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses. This degree program prepares graduates to sit for nationally recognized certification examinations offered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Marymount’s family nurse practitioner curriculum is designed and based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing (2011) as well as "The Criteria for the Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs" from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.
The Master's of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization will only be offered in an online delivery mode. Students will be required to complete all non-clinical courses in the current MSN program. Upon completion of these core requirements, they will move into a clinical sequence of courses including a psychopharmacology course, and three courses aimed at development of clinical expertise in the area of psychiatric and mental health. The PMHNP program will provide evidence-informed practice education for baccalaureate prepared registered nurses who seek this advanced practice specialty. Advanced nursing practice in psychiatric mental health covers both outpatient and inpatient care, children through elderly individuals, and mild depression and anxiety to significantly disabling conditions including substance abuse, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. It combines a knowledge of pharmacotherapy and other therapeutic options such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing when assessing, diagnosing, and managing the individual with psychiatric or mental health concerns. The program’s goal is to provide much needed high-quality mental health care to all populations and conditions across a variety of practice settings.
The curriculum is designed and based upon the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (20ll) as well as The Criteria for the Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) (2008).
Upon successful completion of the M.S.N. program, students will be able to
- translate theoretical knowledge from the sciences and humanities into the delivery of advanced nursing care to diverse populations;
- utilize organizational and systems leadership strategies to promote high-quality and safe care to individuals, families, groups, and communities;
- integrate theory and evidence-based practice principles to optimize patient care;
- incorporate informatics and health care technologies to deliver, coordinate, and optimize health care;
- analyze the influence of health care policy development, regulation, and finance on health care organizations and delivery systems;
- apply principles of inter-professional collaboration to improve patient and population health outcomes;
- design preventative clinical strategies to promote health and reduce the risk of disease and chronic illness;
- demonstrate advanced practice competencies in the delivery of safe, quality care to diverse populations; and
- integrate professional and ethical standards in advanced nursing practice.
Degree Requirements - Nursing (M.S.N.)
Degree Core Courses
45 credits and minimum of 750 clinical hours for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track.
48 credits and minimum of 750 clinical hours for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track.
| IPE 715 | Critical Assessment and Research Methods I for Evidence-Based Health Care Practice | 3 |
| NU 501 | Theoretical, Ethical, and Profession Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 510 | Population Health | 3 |
| NU 552 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NU 554 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 4 |
| NU 590 | Health Care Data Analysis | 3 |
| NU 701 | Innovative Models of Care Delivery | 3 |
| NU 706 | Policy and Advocacy in Health Care | 3 |
| NU 707 | Leadership, Quality, and Ethics in Health Care | 3 |
| NUF 500 | Advanced Assessment and Health Screening for the Family Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
Family Nurse Practitioner Track
| NUF 501 | Introduction to Primary Care of the Family | 3 |
| NUF 503 | Primary Care of the Family I | 5 |
| NUF 504 | Primary Care of the Family II | 6 |
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track
| NU 555 | Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NU 556 | Clinical Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management Across the Life Span I | |
| NU 557 | Clinical Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management Across the Life Span II | |
| NU 558 | Clinical Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management Across the Life Span III | |
Both the FNP and PMHNP MSN tracks include a mandatory 5-day skills intensive residency in which students are required to come to campus.