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M.S.N. Programs

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization

Family Nurse Practitioner specialization

Corvette Yacoob, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, Program Director

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs prepares nurses for flexible leadership and critical action within complex, changing healthcare systems. Master’s education equips nurses with valuable knowledge and skills to lead change, promote health, and elevate care in various roles and settings. The faculty supports this degree as a critical component of the nursing education trajectory to prepare nurses who can address the gaps resulting from growing healthcare needs. The curriculum supports the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculty guidelines to obtain the nurse practitioner competencies in their selected specialty to improve health outcomes. For some nurses, master’s education equips them with a fulfilling lifetime expression of their mastery area. For others, this core is a graduate foundation for doctoral education. The M.S.N. nurse practitioner program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington D.C. 20001, (202) 887‑6791.

The program is built on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s Essentials (2011) that education at this level must prepare the nurse practitioner student to meet six primary expectations including: Lead change to improve quality outcomes; advance a culture of excellence through lifelong learning; build and lead collaborative interprofessional care teams, navigate and integrate care services across the healthcare system; design innovative nursing practices, and translate evidence into practice. Graduates of the master’s degree programs in nursing are prepared with broad knowledge and practice expertise that builds and expands on baccalaureate or entry-level nursing practice. This provides graduates with a fuller understanding of the discipline of nursing in order to engage in higher-level practice and leadership in a variety of settings and commit to lifelong learning. For those nurses seeking a terminal degree, the new conceptualization for master’s education will allow for seamless movement into a research or practice-focused doctoral program (AACN, 2010).

Purpose

The purpose of the program is to prepare clinically competent advanced practice nurses able to serve as nursing leaders for advanced clinical nursing practice. These specialties can be practiced in a variety of healthcare delivery systems and educational settings.

Goals

In accordance with the NONPF Core Competencies Content Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2016), criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2016), graduates from the nurse practitioner specialty tracks shall be able to:

  1. Meet educational eligibility to sit for a national NP certification examination that corresponds to the role and population focus of the NP program.
  2. Demonstrate on entry-level the NP core competencies and the population-focused competencies in the area of specialization.
  3. Meet the complex challenges of translating rapidly expanding knowledge into practice and function in a changing health care environment. (LEADERSHIP)
  4. Utilize scientific foundations to critically analyze data for improving advanced practice (SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS)
  5. Translate research and knowledge to develop new practice approaches and improve practice processes and outcomes (SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS)
  6. Use best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice (QUALITY)
  7. Apply clinical investigative skills to improve health care (PRACTICE INQUIRY)
  8. Integrate appropriate technologies to improve health care. (Technology and Information Literacy)
  9. Analyze ethical, legal, and social factors influencing policy. (POLICY)
  10. Collaborate in the development of health care systems that address the needs of culturally diverse populations, providers and other stakeholders. (Health Care Delivery System)
  11. Integrate ethical principles in clinical practice and decision making. (ETHICS)
  12. Function as a licensed independent practitioner demonstrating the highest level of accountability for professional practice (Independent Practice)

Student Learning Outcomes

In accordance with the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2016) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties [NONPF], 2016), the Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Specialty Areas: Adult, Family, Geriatric, Pediatric, and Women’s Health (NONPF/AACN, 2013), and Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2016), graduates from the nurse practitioner specialty tracks shall be able to:

  1. Integrate evidence-based principles from advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment and health promotion/ disease prevention into clinical decision making related to management of patient health/illness status.
  2. Incorporate principles of leadership to develop and implement the nurse Practitioner role in health care delivery, and to generate professional, collaborative, and productive health care teams.
  3. Synthesize and apply advanced knowledge, nursing experience, and the best available evidence as the basis for the delivery of safe, competent, and quality advanced nursing practice.
  4. Select appropriate patient-care technologies and information systems to assess health status and to manage, enhance, integrate, and coordinate health care delivery.
  5. Operationalize quality, cost effective nursing practice principles and function in a leadership role as an advocate for health care policy and health care delivery systems that are equitable, accessible and affordable for all populations across the lifespan.
  6. Establish a caring partnership with patients and/or caregivers based on mutual trust. Collaborate with members of the health care team to resolve resistant patient care problems and to establish a safe, high quality health care -environment.
  7. Apply the best available evidence to provide culturally competent health care services to patients, families, and populations that focus on a framework of holistic illness treatment, as well as disease prevention, risk management, and health promotion.
  8. Incorporates evidence-based standards of care, patient preferences, concern for patient safety and appropriate teaching/learning principles to devise and implement an individualized patient management plan.

Admission Requirements

Candidates are selected for admission on the basis of high promise for program completion and academic success in graduate education. These include:

  • A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing granted from a regionally and professionally accredited or internationally recognized college or university. A bachelor’s degree from another discipline will be considered on a case by case basis. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted directly to Barry University.
  • A current, unrestricted license as a professional registered nurse in the United States. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for endorsement by the Florida Board of Nursing. An unrestricted Florida license must be received prior to starting the Program and maintained throughout enrollment in the Program.
  • A minimum of one-year, full-time clinical experience as a Registered Nurse within the last year is required.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university will have their graduate GPA included for admissions consideration.
  • Transcript evidence of satisfactory completion (grade B or higher) of an undergraduate nursing research course.
  • Transcript evidence of satisfactory completion (grade B or higher) of a statistics course, which included descriptive and inferential methods, within five years of program start date.
  • Applicants must complete an admission interview upon receipt of all admission documentation.
  • Two letters of recommendation from professional references.
  • Upon the start of the program, accepted candidates are required to possess a notebook computer with specified software which conforms to criteria established by the Program. Applicants are advised that portions of the didactic coursework are web-based and also provided in conjunction with telecommunications or video teleconferencing instruction. Candidates should possess basic computer literacy skills, including the use of word-processing, Windows operating systems, electronic mail, and navigation of Internet applications. Students without these prerequisite skills are encouraged to take CS 180 Introduction to Computers. This course will not count towards degree requirements.
  • Applicants may be required to fulfill specific prerequisites or other conditions of admission prior to an admission decision.
  • All applicants must affirm and attest to sound physical health, emotional stability, and personal integrity that will enable them to successfully complete the educational program, comply with criteria for nursing licensure, and adhere to American Nurses Association professional codes of conduct and practice. Applicants must affirm and attest that they are free of addiction to substances of abuse, are not restricted in their practice of nursing or under investigation by any Board of Nursing, and are willing to adhere to Drug Free Workplace policies and procedures of affiliate clinical training sites, to include submission to randomized drug testing and/or testing for cause and upon Program demand.
  • Admission is on a competitive basis for a limited number of positions. As a result, applicants may meet minimum admission requirements, but may not be selected for a personal interview or admission. Applicants are advised to contact the Office of Financial Aid to investigate funding options at the time they are considering submission of their application package.

Admissions Process

All application materials must be complete and be received by the Office of Admissions by August15 for admission to the Program at the start of the fall semester. Applications received after August15 will be considered on a space available basis. Only those candidates with a completed application package on file, inclusive of all documentation noted above, will be considered for admission. The above criteria are evaluated as a composite package, serving as an indicator of predictive success in the program. The Admissions Committee will rank all applicants as Accepted, Deferred, or Not Accepted.

Curriculum

Curricular content is reflective of CCNE standards and standards set forth by the professional associations of the nurse practitioner specialty tracks. Some courses require pre- or co-requisites (see course descriptions), and/or may be sequential. Coursework is offered via a combination of traditional, web-enhanced, and hybrid distance learning formats. In addition to didactic and clinical coursework, students complete a comprehensive examination (NUR-689) and a research project (NUR-625). Students have the option to complete a faculty-guided thesis (NUR-699) in lieu of a research project. Requirements and arrangements for this option must be made in advance through the Program Director in consultation with the student’s academic advisor.

An individualized curriculum plan is constructed for those students possessing a Master of Science degree in Nursing and seeking post-graduate certification in the nurse practitioner specializations.

Progression Requirements

  • Students must comply with policies related to the Academic Dishonesty Policy and Civility Policy, failure to do so will prevent progression;
  • Students must receive a grade of B in all courses to be allowed to progress in the program; if a student receives less than a B grade, the student may not progress to the next semester;
  • Receipt of a failing grade is cause for dismissal from the Program;
  • Students may not progress in the Program while on a Medical Leave of Absence;
  • Students may not begin a new semester with a grade of ‘I’ grade in a didactic or clinical course from the previous semester without the permission of the Program Director; and
  • A student must successfully complete a semester to progress to the next semester.

Graduation Requirements

  • Students must complete a minimum of 48 credits in the Family Nurse Practitioner specializations or 51 credits in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization to graduate;
  • Satisfactory completion of ALL courses, rotations, final comprehensive examination, research/thesis projects, and clinical requirements is necessary for the student to graduate;
  • Students who attain a cumulative GPA below a 3.0 will not be able to graduate; and
  • All degree requirements must be completed within four years of the date of full admission into the program.

Clinical Sites

Students assume an active role in choosing a site for clinical education. All clinical sites must be approved by the Program Director in advance. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization requires hospital-based clinical education experiences. Only hospitals which have a clinical agreement with Barry University will be considered. Space and residency slot limitations may impact choice of sites.

Transfer of Credits

Acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of the Program Director. A maximum of six graduate credits may be transferred from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution of higher education at the time of matriculation. The program’s sequential design and specialty content prevents transfer credit of specialization coursework from outside of the curriculum. Only courses with a final grade of B or higher will be considered for transfer. Transfer credits must meet the criteria established by Barry University.

Grading Policy

The following grading policy exists for students in the Master of Science degree in Nursing:

A 90%–100%
B 80%–89%
C 70%–79%
F 0%–69%

Receipt of a failing grade is cause for dismissal from the Program.

I = Incomplete
IP = In Progress
Withdrawal from a course after the add/drop period of the semester constitutes a failure.

Students who are dismissed from the program may re-apply for admission. Readmission is not guaranteed.

An ‘I’ (Incomplete) grade is not automatically given for absence from class or incomplete work. An ‘I’ grade will need to be requested in writing by the student to the course instructor when course assignments have not been satisfactorily completed. A substantial portion of the required coursework and assignments/assessments, as determined by the faculty member, should be complete to qualify for an ‘I’ grade. Students who are granted an ‘I’ grade in a course must complete all the course requirements by the end of the next semester. An ‘I’ grade becomes an F if assignments are not completed.