Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner)

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:

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 (20 credits) with the addition of the following clinical course requirements (42 credits):

Specialization Outcomes

Graduates should be able to:

1. Integrate specialty standards of advanced practice nursing to deliver culturally competent, quality health care 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 development of nursing knowledge and design of health care 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.

Standardized Testing Policy

Standardized Testing Policy

All students enrolled in an MSN course will be required to utilize the standardized testing policy in place at the time of their course.

1. Standardized testing platform

1. The selected 3P exam: The minimum score for the exam is average/score identified by the vendor that equates with a minimum passing score of 80%.
2. The Pre-Predictor exam: A minimum score identified by the vendor that equates with a minimum passing score of 80%. The Pre-Predictor exam is 10% of the MSN FNP (NSG6440) and MSN AGPCNP (NSG6430) course grade.
3. The University Predictor: A minimum score identified by the vendor that equates with a minimum passing score of 80%. The University Predictor exam is worth 25% (100 points) of the final grade in MSN FNP (NSG6440) and AGPCNP (NSG6340). 

2. Remediation

1. Individualized and faculty driven remediation provides an opportunity for students to review study and acquire additional knowledge. Remediation is intended to help students recover important information that was missed when taking the assessment and improve the opportunity to be successful on the second attempt of any exam.
2. In addition to faculty driven remediation, self-review is required for all standardized testing assessments. Students are required to use their test results to complete remediation.
3. Failure to comply with the standardized testing policy may result in a course failure.
4.  Retesting is required for any student who scores lower than the minimum passing score on the 3P exam. Retesting of the 3P exam will take place during the final week of NSG6023.
5. A different test version will be used for retesting. Students who score the minimum passing score or higher on the 3P exam in NSG6023 will receive an 80% for the grade. Students who do not score the minimum passing score will be dismissed from the MSN nurse practitioner programs.
6. The Dean’s or designee’s approval is required for reordering of standardized testing products.