Description
The Master of Science program in nursing prepares practicing registered nurses for advanced practice roles as adult gerontologic primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNP) who are able to meet the increasingly complex health needs of diverse populations over age 13 within the Rochester area and beyond. This two-year, full-time or three-year part-time program has approximately 42 post bachelor’s credits and 525 direct care patient hours. These hours exceed the minimum recommended hours from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Graduates of the AGPCNP program are eligible for licensure as Adult Nurse Practitioners in NYS, and are eligible to complete an AGPCNP national certification exam (ANCC or AANP).
Admission to the Program
Admission requirements for the graduate program have been developed after benchmarking with other graduate nursing programs and considering both the academic requirements in the program and the professional demands in the role. All graduate students are required to apply to the University and submit transcripts from all previous coursework. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program or an international equivalent is required. Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated for transfer equivalency credits by an accredited evaluation service, such as the World Education Services (WES). An overall GPA of 3.00 in all previous graduate/undergraduate work is requiredwork is required for consideration, but may not be sufficient for an admission offer to be made. Applicants must have an unencumbered New York state license and current registration as a professional registered nurse. Recent work experience as a professionalregistered nurse is preferred and required before graduation. Curriculum Vitae and supporting documents are required. Two letters of recommendation addressing both academic and professional ability must be submitted for consideration. A written personal statement about professional goals is required. An interview may be required of applicants to assess professional demeanor, motivation and capacity for graduate education. Technical standards must be met.
Program Requirements
Required Courses
- NUR 545 Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NUR 510 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NUR 566 Health Policy & Advocacy
- NUR 518 Using Information Systems and Analytical Methods
- NUR 521 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NUR 699 Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures
- NUR 520 Evaluating Research
- NUR 500 Adult Health Practicum *
- NUR 650 Geriatric Health Practicum #
- NUR 600 Complex Adult Health Practicum*
- NUR 771 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Diverse Populations
- NUR 799 Diagnostic Reasoning
- NUR 655 Ethical and Legal Issues for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NUR 651 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing and Leadership
* 200 in person clinical hours at an appropriate clinical site.
# 125 in person clinical hours at an appropriate clinical site
Health Standards
All graduate nursing students are required to provide an annual health update and screening consistent with current guidelines. Documentation of up-to-date immunization status is also required.
Student Learning Outcomes
The Student Learning Outcomes associated with the master’s program are consistent with the AACN/NONPF standards and competencies and are as follows:
- Demonstrates expertise in the evaluation and implementation of clinical practice guidelines and specialized knowledge as it applies to advanced practice nursing.
- Analyzes current data, information, and knowledge from humanities and sciences that contribute to the science of advanced practice nursing and address access to, cost of, quality, and safety of care.
- Applies research outcomes in the practice arena to improve patient care.
- Collaborates with appropriate stakeholders to promote quality, safety, and improved outcomes of individuals and populations within an organization.
- Employs the use of information systems to capture data to deliver and enhance coordinated patient care.
- Demonstrates understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse to influence policy at the system level to enhance the health of the public.
- Applies and evaluates the impact of ethical principles in complex decision-making processes of caring for patients in the advanced practice role.
- Incorporates inclusion of concepts of psychosocial dimensions, cultural diversity, and global health into advanced practice nursing.
- Develops the skills of an independent, accountable prescriber and full scope advanced practice provider.