Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Courses

Offered at South University, Online Programs.

South University's College of Nursing MSN degree program with a specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner education encompasses graduate-level health sciences theory as well as supervised, in-depth clinical preparation and experience. The focus of the South University College of Nursing program is industry-standard community-based care, with an emphasis on at-risk and vulnerable populations. Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners are certified through a national certification examination process (ANCC; AANP) in independent management of adolescent and adult healthcare, including elder care, with special emphasis on health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, and primary healthcare management. Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat common health problems by: conducting health histories and providing complete physical examinations; interpreting laboratory results and diagnostic procedures; prescribing and managing medications and other therapies; engaging in health teaching and support with particular reference to prevention of illness and health maintenance; and referring patients to other health professionals where indicated.

The South University College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree program meets the core competencies for Adult Health Nurse Practitioners as outlined by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). These competencies include:

1. Providing health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment.
2. Assessing health status.
3. Diagnosing health status.
4. Creating a plan of care and implementation of treatment
5. Ensuring a professional, collegial, and collaborative approach to care.
6. Serving as a teacher and coach to patients.
7. Committing to advancing the profession.
8. Assisting patients in managing and negotiating the healthcare delivery system.
9. Monitoring and ensuring high quality healthcare practice
10. Demonstrating cultural competence

Specialization Outcomes

Graduates should be able to:

1. Integrate specialty standards of advanced practice nursing to deliver culturally competent, quality healthcare services to individuals, families, populations and systems.
2. Exercise effective leadership, critical thinking and communication skills in the development and implementation of advanced nursing practice services in primary care.
3. Integrate professional nursing standards, values and accountability into role and self-development as an advanced practice nurse.
4. Utilize information technology and an evidence-based research approach in the development of nursing knowledge and design of healthcare services for clients, populations and systems.
5. Ensure advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in the implementation and evaluation of evidenced based care to diverse individuals and populations.