The master of science program at the Connell School of Nursing prepares leaders in advanced practice roles. Courses from nursing and other disciplines provide important theoretical knowledge, assessment skills, role/leadership development, and advanced clinical practice in a selected specialization. Faculty advisors help each student plan a program of studies and access appropriate clinical sites. They also arrange and supervise opportunities for students to apply and critique nursing theory and research.
The community and family health care specialty tract prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver accessible primary care to individuals, families and communities across a broad range of racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic and age/developmental strata. Principles of epidemiology and community health are combined to prepare family nurse practitioners (FNP) for practice, leadership and advocacy roles.
The program admits registered nurses who have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited nursing program. The full-time option is a 1.5 year program
of 45 credits. The program of study includes 24 credits of core courses, 6 credits
of community health theory, 12 credits of family primary care clinical practica,
and one 3 credit elective. Students who opt to complete the master’s program
on a part-time basis have five years to do so.
The community and family health care specialty has an additional specialty concentration
for master’s-prepared nurses seeking additional certification as an FNP.
Students selecting this option receive academic credit for a course sequence
designed to meet the FNP program requirements, which is determined on an individual
basis considering previous university and professional experiences.
Graduates will be able to:
- Assess, diagnose and manage common acute and chronic primary health care problems affecting individuals and families in medically underserved urban, suburban and rural communities.
- Identify the epidemiologic roots of health problems affecting family/group
systems;
- Assess the impact of environmental stressors on individual, family and community
health.
- Develop appropriate health promotion and illness prevention strategies.
- Acquire the knowledge, skill and precepted clinical experiences required
to qualify for national certification examinations, and/or state licensure,
with or without prescriptive authority.
- Meet academic requirements for application to doctoral programs in nursing
and other related fields.
- Assume a family nurse practitioner role in a variety of health care settings including public and private ambulatory settings, wellness centers, hospital-based or freestanding home health agencies, occupational health sites, prisons, senior centers, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps.