2012-13 General Bulletin

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice specialization either as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, advanced public health nurse, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist. Dual degree programs are offered in bioethics (MSN/MA), anthropology (MSN/MA), business administration (MSN/MBA), and public health (MSN/MPH). Post-master's certificates can be provided for all programs and are crafted according to individual needs and background education.

Characteristics of the Graduate

• Teaching/Learning: Develops and teaches educational offerings and provides consultation with other professionals/populations and communities about health, illness and health-seeking behavior
• Research/Inquiry: Identifies clinical research problems, initiates utilization of research and participates in scientific inquiry
• Nature of Practice: Assumes functions and role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
• Leadership: Assumes leadership positions in employment or community organizations at the local/state/national level
• Ethics: Applies ethical principals in Advanced Practice Nursing
• Collaboration: Initiates interdisciplinary teams to enhance practice
• Communication: Establishes effective communication systems among clients and colleagues
• Policy Development: Contributes, implements and influences health policy development through work and professional organizations

Degree Requirements

The MSN program itself requires a minimum of 36 credit hours to graduate, but the majors require an average of 40 credit hours of graduate credit for the student who enters with a BSN degree. Other degree requirements must be fulfilled for those entering with the portfolio option. A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of credit in approved graduate courses, where the student obtained a grade of B or above, may be transferred to meet program requirements, and three (3) credits may be waived for a total of 12 credits. To be awarded an MSN degree, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and received satisfactory grades in all nursing courses taken for credit as a MSN student. Degree requirements must be completed within 5 years of initial enrollment.

Path to the MSN

Students in the MSN program choose from several different majors, but virtually all students must take at least ten core courses. Student must complete a required number of credit hours as well as clinical hours. The majors require an average of 40 credit hours, usually completed in three or four semesters (including summer). Most MSN majors also require at least 500 clinical hours; the anesthesia, midwifery, and flight nursing programs require more.

Courses are usually scheduled to meet once a week for several hours. This frees up other days for clinical hours or work. Students can choose either a part-time or full-time program, with full-time consisting of 9 or more credits per semester and part-time being anything less.

Course Grades

Progression in the MSN program is contingent on a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and passing grades in all courses (A, B, C, P, or S). If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester, the student will be placed on academic probation. To be removed from probation, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the next academic semester he/she is registered. If the student fails to be removed from academic probation at this time, he/she may be separated from the FPB School of Nursing.

The grade of Incomplete (I) will be given at the discretion of the instructor for work not completed in the semester. The “Arrangement to Resolve a Grade of Incomplete” form must be completed prior to the end of the semester, or the instructor may assign a grade of U or F. A grade of I must be removed by the end of the semester following the one in which the course was taken or before the student enrolls in a course for which the initial course is a prerequisite. No credit is given for an I grade. The I will remain a permanent part of the transcript if the student fails to complete course requirements within the next semester, unless alternative arrangements are approved in writing.

A student who receives a grade of F or U for a required course must register for the course the next semester it is offered to continue in the MSN program. If the grade of U or F is in a course that is not required for the MSN program, the student may register for the same course or a substitute course and achieve a passing grade to continue in the MSN program. If the student receives a grade of F or unsatisfactory performance (F, U, and NP) in two courses, he/she will be excluded from FPB.

Majors and Sample Full-Time Curriculum

Virtually all MSN students must take at least ten core courses in Professional Development, Scientific Inquiry, and Nursing Practice (for nurse practitioner majors). Although the MSN program itself requires a minimum of 36 credit hours to graduate, the majors require an average of 40 credit hours, usually completed between 18 and 24 months, though the nurse anesthesia program requires 28 months of study. Students also need to put in at least 500 clinical hours for most MSN majors; the anesthesia, midwifery, cardiovascular, and flight nursing programs require even more. Post-master's certificates can be provided for all programs and are crafted according to individual needs and background education.

Nurse Practitioner Majors

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

• Subspecialty: Flight Nursing
• Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing

Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) often serve as first responders in a variety of healthcare settings that include community and academic hospitals, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices like medical cardiology, subacute care, or trauma.

As part of FPB’s MSN program, the ACNP major requires at least 39 credit hours of coursework and 600 hours of clinical experience. A recent year of adult intensive care (ICU) nursing experience is required prior to beginning this program.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

• Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing
• Subspecialty: Gerontology

Adult-gerontology NPs provide comprehensive care, including wellness and acute and chronic illness care, to patients from late-adolescence through adulthood to the elderly. They specifically emphasize health promotion, disease prevention, and comprehensive gerontological assessment. They practice in a wide variety of locations that include hospitals, urgent and primary care settings, community clinics, long-term care facilities, and private practice.

As part of FPB's MSN program, the adult-gero NP major requires 41 hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within 18 months (four semesters) for full-time students, and courses are offered in a distance-friendly format that requires about eight trips to Cleveland.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

• Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing

Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are advanced degree nurses who provide primary health care for children from infancy to 21 years of age, including physical, psychosocial, and family dimensions of health. They diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, provide immunizations, perform developmental screenings and physical assessments, and much more in their objective to protect and enhance the health of children. Along with pediatricians and other providers, PNPs practice in settings such as private practice, primary care clinics, community health centers, and hospitals.

As part of FPB's MSN program, the PNP major requires 40 credit hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within 18 months (four semesters) for full-time students, and courses are offered in a distance-friendly format that requires about eight trips to Cleveland.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are advanced practice nurses who focus on the management and care of fragile, critically ill, and premature infants and their parents. Their role encompasses activities that promote optimal health, detect illness, and facilitate restoration and maintenance of the health of neonates. NNPs practice in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), which are found in children's and large general hospitals.

Two years of NICU nursing are needed prior to beginning the NNP major. As part of FPB’s MSN program, the major requires 40 credit hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals in NICUs. Full-time coursework is completed within 24 months (4 semesters).

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

• Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing
• Subspecialty: Gerontology

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are advanced nurses who offer care, promote health, and treat disease in patients ranging from children to elders. They provide comprehensive wellness care as well as management of acute and chronic illnesses. FNPs practice in hospitals, urgent care and primary care settings, federally-qualified health centers, and private practice offices.

As part of the MSN program, the FNP major requires 40 credit hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within 18 months (four semesters) for full-time students, and courses are offered in a distance-friendly format that requires only eight trips to Cleveland.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) are experts in woman-focused health promotion and disease prevention. As specialists, WHNPs deliver comprehensive health care to women, with emphasis on reproductive and gynecologic health needs. They provide well-woman care, care during and after pregnancy, and care before and after menopause. They also care for women experiencing episodic acute or chronic illnesses. WHNPs see a broad range of patients in practice settings that include primary care centers, adolescent health centers, and private practice.

The WHNP major, as part of FPB's MSN program, requires 38 credit hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals. With full-time enrollment, coursework is usually completed within 12 months (four semesters). Core MSN courses are offered in an intensive format that requires limited trips to Cleveland.

Blended Role (NP/CNS) Majors

Advanced Practice Adult Oncology/Palliative Care

Advanced practice adult oncology/palliative care nurses provide expert care to patients undergoing cancer treatment and those focusing on the management of complex symptoms. These advanced practice nurses care for both inpatients and outpatients, within hospitals and clinics as well as via hospice and palliative care programs.

At FPB, this innovative, versatile major prepares graduates to practice in a variety of oncology or hospice and palliative care settings. Students may select either nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist tracks. Graduates of the program will be eligible for the adult nurse practitioner certification and/or oncology nurse practitioner certification, oncology clinical nurse specialist certification, or certification in palliative care, assuming other examination and practice requirements are met. The program can be done on either a full-time or part-time basis. One year of oncology or medical-surgical nursing experience is required. The major requires 40-41 credit hours of coursework, plus about 500 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within 24 months (four semesters) for full-time students.

Opportunities to obtain post-Master’s certification in oncology or palliative care are also available. Palliative care courses (Symptom Management I and II) may be taken as electives as part of any other APN major, or by non-degree students seeking additional preparation for their practice.

Family Systems Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

In addition to the shortage of advanced practice psychiatric nurses, healthcare systems are challenged to address the needs of an increasing elderly population; stressed military families; families impacted by the economy, loss of employment, home foreclosure, and other stressors; and a population facing an increase in reported rates of domestic and youth violence.

The work of an advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist is dynamic in scope, ranging from prevention and health promotion to early detection and assessment to integration and culturally appropriate, client-centered intervention. Similarly, they can practice in a multitude of environments, including community mental health clinics; hospitals systems; private physician offices; prison systems; military bases and Veteran’s Affairs Hospitals; treatment facilities; and psychiatric mental health community centers, among others.

The Family Systems Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing major, as part of the MSN program, requires 45 credit hours of coursework and 720 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within four semesters.

Other Majors

Nurse Anesthesia

Nurse anesthestists are advanced practice nurses who administer all types of anesthetic for every kind of surgery or procedure. As expert clinicians primarily responsible for direct patient care, they focus on preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative anesthesia care.

Clinical courses for MSN nurse anesthesia students at FPB provide them with the opportunity to give direct patient care, participate in staff education programs, and identify clinical topics for research. Students work one-on-one with a clinical preceptor with expertise in nurse anesthesia. They will also take part in administering general and regional anesthesia in persons of all ages. The management of emergency operations, obstetrics, pediatrics, and neurosurgery are an integral part of the clinical experience. Graduates will be eligible to take the certification examination administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

All applicants must have at least two years of recent experience in one of the following acute care settings: recovery room, emergency room, or medical, surgical, neonatal, or pediatric intensive care or one year's experience with certification in their respective nursing specialty (CCRN, CEN, CPAN).

Nurse Midwifery

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery and are certified according to the requirements of the American Midwifery Certification Board. CNMs manage women's health care, focusing on common primary care issues, family planning and gynecologic needs, pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and care of the newborn. They practice within a healthcare system that provides for consultation, collaboration, or referral as indicated by the health status of the client, in accordance with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery, as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

Nurse midwife students must complete 48 credit hours of coursework as well as work individually with a clinical preceptor in a variety of out-patient, in-patient, and out-of-hospital settings to provide optimal care to women in the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Graduates will be eligible to take the certification examination administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. With the addition of 3 clinical hours in NURS 559 Advanced Practice in Nursing Care of Women, students are eligible for dual certification in Women's Health.

Joint Degrees

Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Anthropology (MSN/MA Anthropology)

The Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Anthropology joint degree provides students with the unique combination of cross-cultural expertise in medical anthropology and clinical expertise in nursing. Students must complete a minimum of 19 credits in nursing core courses, 12 to 22 credits in clinical major courses, and a minimum of 18 credits in anthropology courses, distributed as indicated below. The actual number of credits depends upon the major selected. This curriculum plan reflects clinical nursing majors other than nurse anesthesia and community health. Choice of electives should guarantee that minimum credit requirements are met. All students must pass the Masters Qualifying Examination in Anthropology. 

Required Nursing Courses

Required Anthropology Courses

Required Research Courses

Required Elective

Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Bioethics (MSN/MA Bioethics)

The Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Art in Bioethics joint degree program is designed to provide nurses with the concepts essential to ethics and ethical decision-making. This program is relevant for nurses who are family advocates within health care systems. The total MSN/MA degree requirements are 53-63 credits. 

Required Nursing Courses

Required Bioethics Courses