The Adult Health Nursing specialty prepares clinicians in advanced nurse practice roles caring for adolescents, adults and elders. Opportunities for clinical specialization in selected areas (e.g., oncology, gerontology and critical care) can be tailored to fit students' needs and interests.
The program admits registered nurses who have a baccalaureate degree from a National League for Nursing accredited nursing program and who have had at least one year of experience in nursing practice. The full-time option is a 1.5 year program of 45 credits. The program of study includes 24 credits of core courses, 18 credits of adult health theory and adult clinical practica, and one elective. Students who opt to complete the master's program on a part-time basis have five years to do so.
The Adult Health Nursing specialty has an Additional Specialty Concentration for master's-prepared nurses seeking additional certification. Students selecting this option receive academic credit for a course sequence which is determined on an individual basis considering previous university and professional experiences.
Graduates will be able to:
- Manage the health care of adolescents, adults and elders as well as special populations, providing health promotion and care based on current nursing science and science from other disciplines;
- Evaluate and ensure the continuous quality of health care delivery by considering ethics, research, health policy, access, and cost;
- Participate in interdisciplinary, culturally-sensitive teaching, counseling and healing with patients, families and communities, locally and globally;
- Clearly define the contributions of the advanced practice nurse to quality care outcomes;
- Have the educational preparation required for national certification;
- Apply for certification as a Nurse Practitioner (in states requiring certification) and Clinical Specialist;
- Apply for prescription writing privileges and be eligible for third party reimbursement (in states in which NPs and CNS's have these privileges);
- Apply to doctoral programs in nursing;
- Assume an Advanced Practice Nursing role as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist in a variety of health care settings including clinics, health maintenance organizations, occupational health, home care, school and private practice settings.