Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.)
The College of Nursing offers six 35-49 credit majors leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree. Areas of concentration include Advanced Practice Nurse; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Administration and Nurse Executive Leadership.
Criteria for Admission
- Baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an N.L.N.A.C., A.C.E.N., or C.C.N.E. accredited program;
- For recent BSN graduates, acceptance will be granted post NCLEX passing by August 15th of the year admitted to the program; proof of one year full-time employment is required prior to the start of practicum courses (year 2).
- For students applying to the adult-gerontology acute care program, 1 year of professional nursing experience in an acute care setting is required at the time of application.
- Please note that there is a 3 and 4 year curriculum plan as well as a direct BSN-DNP for the nurse practitioner programs (see below).
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (3.2 or above for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner), plus a “B” average in all nursing courses;
- Statement of professional goals;
- Registered professional nurse licensure in U.S. state of practice and in New Jersey if clinical performed in New Jersey;
- Letters of reference (one professional, one academic) (2 professional letters may be used if applicant is out of school over 5 years);
- TOEFL scores (minimum scores of 22 in reading, 22 in listening, 26 in speaking, and 24 in writing) and WES reports for all nurses educated outside of the United States and/or educated in a language other than English;
- A $75 application fee; and
- Selected students will be invited for a personal interview.
Prior to enrollment in clinical courses, accepted students must complete Joint Commission and OSHA requirements for immunization, medical history, liability insurance, criminal background check and competencies including the American Heart Association Certification course for CPR (BLS for Healthcare Professionals).
Nurse practitioner track applicants must have a minimum of at least one year of recent relevant nursing experience (two years- experience for Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students), prior to enrolling in practicum courses.
Academic Prerequisites
The following areas of undergraduate study must be completed prior to the first graduate course in nursing and are not credited toward the graduate degree: Statistics, Nursing Research and an Undergraduate Physical Assessment course. Nurse practitioner students must complete a basic physical assessment refresher course no more than three years prior to enrolling in Practicum I.
Degree Requirements
For the Master of Science degree, satisfactory completion of 35 to 49 credits in the following areas is required:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Basis of Nursing | 3 | |
| Forces in Health Care | 3 | |
| Nursing Research | 3 | |
| Didactic Nursing Courses | 12 | |
| Clinical Nursing Courses | 12 | |
| Other Required Courses | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
Nine to 12 credits per semester constitute a full-time load. Students enrolled with 6 credits of which at least 3 credits are clinical are considered full-time equivalent students. Students typically take 5-8 semesters to complete the MSN degree, depending upon the program. Part-time students may take up to six years to complete the requirements. If the program is not completed in six years, students must apply for an extension. Students’ programs will be revised, as necessary, to meet current degree requirements.
Clinical Instruction
Clinical instruction in all majors of the graduate program follows the preceptorship model. At sites serving as placements for development of students’ clinical and functional role expertise, agency personnel collaborate with the faculty in identifying master’s and doctoral prepared personnel within the agencies who serve as onsite preceptors. Under this collaborative model of instruction, students’ learning experiences are guided and enhanced by the faculty members who have primary responsibility for students’ progress. The preceptors may include nurses, physicians or members of other disciplines with whom the nurse educator, administrator or advanced practice nurse interacts. The onsite preceptors are invaluable in helping each student to identify and take advantage of the learning opportunities available within an institution.
*** Out-of-state students should check with the Director of Graduate Admissions in the College of Nursing (see website) to ensure that securing a clinical rotation will not be a problem before applying to a program.
M.S.N. Nurse Practitioner
Students selecting the nurse practitioner tracks are prepared as Pediatric, Adult-Gerontology, Family Nurse or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. Students in the Pediatric track focus on the maintenance and promotion of health and the management of children with acute and/or chronic illness. Students in the Adult-Gerontology track focus on the primary prevention and management of adults with acute and chronic illnesses in either primary or acute care settings. Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner track focus on primary prevention and management of populations with acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Students in the Psychiatric/Mental Health track focus on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of acute and chronic mental health care needs of individuals across the lifespan.
The major emphases of the nurse practitioner tracks are to develop graduates with:
- a base for continued inquiry and contributions to the art and science of nursing and the knowledge and skills to exert a leadership role in the formulation of healthcare policy;
- expertise in the provision of health care; and
- leadership ability in today’s health care environment.
Students complete courses in theory of advanced nursing practice where they develop skills in making independent clinical judgments as well as participate in experiences involving peer review, client advocacy, the development of collaborative, interdisciplinary relationships and role negotiation. Clinical instruction is carried out by nurse practitioners and/or physicians who actively model collaborative practice behaviors. An introductory basic physical assessment course is required within the three years prior to beginning Graduate Nursing Practicum I.
Students in the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track complete a minimum of 645 clinical hours and are eligible to sit for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner examination.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 6123 | Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 6124 | Forces in Health Care | 3 |
| NURS 6223 | Health Promotion | 3 |
| NURS 6411 | Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 6415 | Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 7141 | Nursing Research I | 3 |
| NURS 7334 | Graduate Praticum I: Younger Years | 3 |
| NURS 7370 | Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Decision Making | 3 |
| NURS 7470 | Advanced Professional Role Enactment | 3 |
| NURS 7510 | 4 | |
| NURS 7512 | 4 | |
| NURS 7514 | 4 | |
| NURS 7610 | 3 | |
| NURS 7612 | 3 | |
| NURS 7614 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
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