Courses

Offered at South University, Austin; South University, Cleveland; South University, Columbia; South University, High Point: South University, Montgomery; South University, Novi; South University, Online Programs; South University, Richmond; South University, Savannah; South University, Tampa; South University, Virginia Beach; and South University, West Palm Beach.

The Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses for the current and evolving primary healthcare system. The South University College of Nursing program focuses on advanced health sciences knowledge and skills to prepare advanced clinicians to deliver leading edge, community-based primary healthcare to individuals and families across the lifespan. The program places a strong emphasis on health promotion as well as the development of positive health behaviors for clients at different developmental and age stages. FNP students share course content with fellow students in the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) programs where appropriate. This structure exposes students to a variety of expert specialty faculty and supports development of inter-specialty relationships in client management.

The South University program is designed to prepare graduates to provide the full range of primary care services to individuals during the ante- partum period, infancy, childhood and adolescence through the adult lifespan. Competencies include provision of preventive care to children and adults as well as the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health problems. In addition to direct patient care, students also participate in clinical translational efforts, education, and policy activities relevant to advanced practice nursing and diverse population healthcare issues. National certification is available upon program completion through the national certifying bodies (ANCC; AANP).

The South University College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program meets the Core Competencies for Family Nurse Practitioners outlined by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Upon graduation and entry into practice, family nurse practitioners are proficient in the following areas:

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

The plan of study and required courses for the Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program includes the Master's Core requirements (24 credits) with the addition of the following clinical course requirements (38 credits):

Specialization Outcomes

Graduates will 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.