MSN Family Nurse Practitioner

In this course, the student encounters advanced content in pathophysiology and human physiologic responses across the lifespan. The student explores, analyzes, applies and evaluates the normal and abnormal human responses to selected pathophysiologic mechanisms and conditions. 

This course expands the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the APN. The student will develop assessment techniques related to history and physical examination of clients across the lifespan, including psychiatric-mental health and related supportive assessment. Student will explore, analyze, apply and evaluate these principles in the classroom setting. This course includes approximately 25 hours of lab practicing physical assessment skills using both a virtual and on-ground learning environment. A remote hands-on physical examination check off will also occur in the course. The student will submit a video recording to complete this assignment. Additionally, an immersion skills lab will occur in this course. The student is responsible for completing and certifying at least 25 hours practicing physical assessment skills in the course. The remote physical examination check-off and the immersion lab are graded as pass/fail and are not factored into the course GPA. Students must pass each of these in order to pass the course and progress in the program. If either are failed the course grade will revert to a failing grade (F). 

In this course, the student focuses on mastering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, fundamental pharmacology and therapeutics, covering broad categories of agents used to treat common conditions encountered by the advanced practice nurse. Emphasis is placed on the decision-making process utilized to prescribe and monitor pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of acute and chronic diseases appropriate to the patient’s situation safely and effectively. 

This course will provide students with the fundamental knowledge needed to formulate a differential diagnosis of individuals within the primary care setting, along with an introduction to critical diagnostic skills to cultivate evidence-based behaviors. An emphasis will be placed 
on processing client information in a logical, progressive manner and formulating differential diagnoses for individuals across the lifespan. The course will include 125 hours of supervised clinical practicum in primary care. 

In this course, the student builds expanded knowledge of pharmacology across the lifespan, applying foundational principles from previous courses. Specific issues across the lifespan will be addressed including the effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender and funding on pharmacologic management. Legal and ethical aspects of prescribing will be addressed. 

This course continues to expand the knowledge of health-assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP with a focus on the common health problems and healthcare needs of the middle-aged and older adult and family. The student will explore, analyze, apply and evaluate chronic health conditions frequently encountered in the primary care of older adults. Students will further develop their skills related to patient education, protocol development, follow-up and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted primary-care setting. 

This course continues to expand the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP, with a focus on the healthcare needs of women and families throughout reproductive and childrearing years. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis and management of health problems commonly experienced. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted primary care setting. 

This course continues to expand the theoretical and practical knowledge of diagnostic principles specific to the role of the FNP for the healthcare needs of individuals of all ages. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis and management of complex acute and chronic conditions, including behavioral health. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted advanced practice setting. 

The student will synthesize all elements of clinical management skills and knowledge and continue to analyze, apply and evaluate diverse aspects of patient assessment and healthcare intervention. This precepted clinical practicum will be with an approved provider in an advanced practice setting. Focus topics include clinical management skills, case studies, chart reviews and practice critique, with a capstone product evidencing increasing complex clinical management skills. At the end of this course, the student will be prepared for entry into clinical practice providing primary healthcare across the life span after first passing the national certification for the family nurse practitioner. An on ground intensive review session occurs during this course.