Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)

Offered at Online 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 Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) 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, primary healthcare to adolescents through the entire adult-gerontology age spectrum. AGPCNP students share select course content with fellow students in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 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 from adolescence, adulthood, older adults, to the frail elderly. Competencies include provision of preventive care as well as 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 health care 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 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree program meets the core competencies for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 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 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.