
Family Nurse Practitioner
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Learn how You could Earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner

The Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program (MSN) at South University’s Tampa campus in Tampa, FL, is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses to help with their career goals of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The FNP courses are offered online.
For nurses who want to learn how to become an FNP, this degree program will help prepare them to learn advanced practice concepts and nursing theory to help them serve their patients. These nurse practitioners can then seek employment at various healthcare organization, or in some educational settings, depending on their personal preference. The nursing program focuses on promoting and developing positive health behaviors across the lifespan and various developmental stages.
Admission Requirements
Procedure for Admission to Master of Science in Nursing Programs
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The criteria to determine admission to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program include:
- Completion of the application for admission
- A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA accredited program.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Provisional Admissions: South University College of Nursing and Public Health fosters diversity through a holistic provisional admission status for students with a GPA less than 3.0.
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 -2.99 must receive a final course grade of B or better in all nursing courses for the first quarter to be fully admitted into the MSN program.
- Applicants with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.74 will be considered for provisional admission with submission of a current resume and a letter explaining challenges faced in previous academic experiences.
- Students will have an assessment and an individualized plan for optimizing success that includes completion of a mandatory orientation prior to first day of quarter.
Students must receive a final course grade of B or better in all nursing courses for the first quarter to be fully admitted into the MSN program.
Students who do not receive a final course grade of B or better in all nursing courses will have the provisional admission rescinded. There is no appeal for rescinding provisional status.
- Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5*/10 weeks after the initial start date. *Effective March 22, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Montgomery campus or High Point Off Campus Instructional Site will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective April 1, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Richmond and West Palm Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective May 31, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Tampa and Orlando campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective July 12, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Austin and Columbia campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective August 16, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Savannah and Virginia Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation.
A valid and unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments and clinical rotations, for entry and maintenance of admission to the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet their state/territory requirement for nursing licensure).
Course Requirements
Offered at Savannah, Online Programs, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
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 select course content with fellow students in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) 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; AANPCP).
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:
- Providing health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment.
- Assessing health status.
- Diagnosing health status.
- Creating a plan of care and implementation of treatment.
- Ensuring a professional, collegial, and collaborative approach to care.
- Serving as a teacher and coach to patients.
- Committing to advancing the profession.
- Assisting patients in managing and negotiating the healthcare delivery system.
- Monitoring and ensuring high quality healthcare practice.
- 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 (20 credits) with the addition of the following clinical course requirements (42 credits):
Specialization Outcomes
Graduates should be able to:
- Integrate specialty standards of advanced practice nursing to deliver culturally competent, quality health care services to individuals, families, populations and systems.
- Exercise effective leadership, critical thinking and communication skills in the development and implementation of advanced nursing practice services in Primary Care.
- Integrate professional nursing standards, values and accountability into role and self-development as an advanced practice nurse.
- Utilize information technology and an evidence-based research approach development of nursing knowledge and design of health care services for clients, populations and systems.
- Ensure advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in the implementation and evaluation of evidenced based care to diverse individuals and populations.
*
*If the student receives a failing grade in NSG6021, the student must enroll in and successfully pass the following four (4) credit course: NSG6023 Nurse Practitioner Enhancement.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 750 hours in the five supervised clinical practicum courses that are designed to provide the opportunity for skill development and practice in the Family Nurse Practitioner role.
Outcomes
The Master of Science in Nursing degree program (MSN) is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses. It is also designed for those nurses who want to pursue advanced positions in today's challenging healthcare environment. The program, based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master's Essentials, blends nursing theory with advanced practice concepts that prepare students to work within a healthcare organization or educational setting.
All applicants to the MSN program must hold a valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure). An unencumbered license(s) must be maintained throughout the program. Additionally, all applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check and a drug screening. Clinical affiliation agencies may require additional personal testing.
The program consists of five core courses and courses in an area of specialization in education, administration, informatics, and various nurse practitioner programs. Program includes practica and experiences in areas of specialization.
Courses may be waived if the individual's master's transcript indicates that s/he has successfully completed the required course or its equivalent. Waivers and exceptions will be determined on the written request of individual students through a transcript analysis as determined by the Program Director, Chair, or College Dean.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates should be able to:
- Synthesize theories and concepts from nursing and other disciplines for application in advanced nursing roles.
- Analyze current scientific research for application of findings to initiate change and to improve practice.
- Create comprehensive plans of action that address the health promotion and disease prevention needs of individual, family, and community populations.
- Formulate a plan for ongoing contributions to improvement of healthcare delivery and development of health policy in a cost-effective manner.
- Apply an ethical decision-making process in professional practice and an analysis of systems of healthcare.
- Model a professional leadership role that fosters improvement of healthcare and advocates scholarly activities to advance self and profession.
- Employ informatics and technology in various aspects of the advanced nursing leadership role.
- Practice within ethical-legal guidelines, professional policies and regulations, and standards of practice associated with a specialty area of advanced nursing practice.
Comments and Concerns
All Fields Are Required
The purpose of this form is to provide a process for the general public to submit comments, concerns, or complaints regarding their interaction with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Post Graduate Certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice program. A record of all complaints will be maintained and secured by campus administration. If you are a South University student, please submit your comments, concerns, or complaints according to the process outlined in the University Catalog or programmatic handbook. Please contact your Program Director or Academic Counselor if you need additional guidance.
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Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).