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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree is a 24-month program divided into a blended learning didactic phase (8 quarters), two mandatory on-campus intensives, and an overlapping clinical phase (3 quarters). The degree consists of 72 quarter credits and 640 clinical hours in the area of focus. The initial portion of the didactic phase of the program emphasizes advanced concepts in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and the “Three Ps” – Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Examination/Health Assessment.
All nurse practitioner students must attend Residency. This consists of two 5-day on-campus experiences to ensure skills and knowledge competency before progressing to the practicum courses. The Residency is mandatory, and dates are provided early so students can plan well in advance.
The practicum courses begin in the Winter Quarter of the second year. The practicum courses provide students with the necessary hands-on experience to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner practice in various practice settings. The didactic curriculum and applied practicum experiences allow each student to demonstrate attainment of the ten core competencies identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials.
Students may be able to rotate to multiple primary care clinical sites. These sites provide students with a broad scope of experiences in rural, urban, and suburban clinics and specialty rotations in internal medicine, long-term care/assisted living, hospice, home health, and pharmacy.