Nursing (MSN): Online Program
Faculty
Description
Nursing@Simmons is an innovative, online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program that focuses on preparing Registered Nurses (RNs) to meet the needs of the national health care system. Designed for RNs who have earned a bachelor’s degree, the program helps students develop the skills, comprehension, and clinical expertise they need to assume a greater level of responsibility in their role as primary health care providers.
FNPs provide a broad spectrum of care to individuals across the life span. They assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans, including prescribing medications.
Learning Outcomes
Outcome Objectives for the Master’s in Nursing Curriculum
- Critique, evaluate, synthesize and utilize theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge as applied to the assessment and management of both primary and acute health and illness states.
- Demonstrate a personal, collegial, and collaborative approach as an advanced practice Nurse while emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention and identification of environmental factors that impact health status across the lifespan.
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of human diversity as an advanced practice professional to assure the delivery of appropriate and individualized health care across the curriculum.
- Demonstrate sound critical thinking and clinical decision making reflected in effective written and verbal communications skills, utilized by the advanced practice Nurse in a complex delivery system.
- Demonstrate personal qualities and professional behaviors which are assertive and engage in advanced practice activities that advocate for on-going change and leadership within Nursing and in the health care system.
- Apply critical thinking skills within a multidisciplinary approach to care which fosters strategies and assembles multifaceted resources to empower patients, families and communities to attain and maintain maximal functional wellness.
- Demonstrate Nursing judgments and interventions which provide culturally sensitive care for diverse populations.
- Demonstrate Nursing practices which address human differences.
- Design and implement evidence-based primary health care practices in varied health care systems
- Assume a leadership role in the management of patients, communities and larger systems.
- Initiate changes in patient care and in the health care system through negotiations with other health care professionals.
- Evaluate the efficacy of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment interventions through the application of knowledge of health care systems, economics, policy, ethics and polities.
- Conduct clinical Nursing research designed to advance the science of Nursing.
- Advance professional growth through continued acquisition of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience, and through participation and/or leadership in professional and community
Requirements for entry into program
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or University. Current U.S. Registered Nurse
Costs
Including financing and fellowships / assistantships
$1,315 per credit
$155 student fee per term
Delivery Mode or Modes Available (full-time, part-time, locations, technologies, etc.)
Full-time online students complete the program in five terms. Part-time online students complete it in seven terms.
The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN degree is offered at Simmons Boston campus in the following pathways: BN to MSN, RN to MSN, and Direct Entry for BA/BS holders. The Nursing@Simmons online Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program also offers an RN to MSN program for RNs who do not currently hold a BSN degree..
Degree requirements
Credits
Students complete 48 course credits.
Core, Pre-requisite, and elective course requirements and progression, etc.
Capstone, placement, internship, practicum, etc.
Students complete a minimum of 672 clinical hours.
Concentrations, specializations, etc.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Licensure, certification, etc.
Upon completion of the FNP program, you will be eligible to sit for the national board-certifying exam.
Dual (and other) degree options (With what other degree programs may this program be combined?)
None
Other program information
Please consult the Nursing Student Handbook for additional information about Health Clearance, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Mandatory Clinical Orientation, Agency-Specific Requirements, Criminal Offender Record Inquiry, and other related policies.