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Course Descriptions

The University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Hybrid Master of Science – Family Nurse Practitioner (MS-FNP) program combines online and on-campus instruction to provide registered nurses with a flexible path to advanced practice education. 

The program is offered part-time, with courses meeting one evening per week and alternating between on-campus and live, synchronous online instruction. 

Course descriptions below outline the academic content and requirements for the MS-FNP program. 

Understanding the Hybrid Course Format 

On-Campus Instruction 

Students attend class on campus one evening during designated weeks for lectures, discussions, hands-on learning, examinations, and other required in-person activities. 

Live Online Instruction 

During designated online weeks, students participate in live, synchronous online class sessions with their faculty and classmates. 

Clinical and Practicum Experiences 

Courses that include clinical or practicum requirements have additional supervised experiences beyond the weekly course meeting. Clinical experiences are completed at approved clinical sites and are not conducted online. 

Important: The hybrid format applies to didactic/course instruction. Clinical and practicum requirements must be completed in person at approved clinical sites. 

Core Nursing Courses

15 credits provide core knowledge essential to advanced nursing practice.

NURS 501 ADVANCED NURSING THEORY

This core course critiques selected nursing theories and health-related concepts involved in advanced nursing practice. These theories and concepts are derived from the social sciences, psychology, and family and humanistic literature. Concept development will be analyzed in relation to specific areas of students’ interests. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

NURS 502 ADVANCED NURSING RESEARCH

This course analyzes the role of research in the development of nursing’s body of knowledge. Students obtain the skills necessary to understand research and utilize evidence-based practice in making clinical decisions. 

The course guides graduate nurses in articulating relevant clinical-based questions, reviewing the literature to identify relevant evidence, evaluating the quality of research, and discussing the application of evidence in clinical practice to improve quality of care. 

The course culminates in the proposal of a Master’s evidence-based practice project supported by evidence demonstrating gaps in the literature and opportunities for practice improvement. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

  • Prerequisite: Undergraduate-level statistics course

NURS 504 DYNAMICS OF NURSING LEADERSHIP

This course is an in-depth study of leadership theories and issues in managed health care. The history and culture of nursing and current social, political, and legislative trends are studied for their implications in nursing leadership. Students apply concepts from selected theories in developing a philosophy of leadership. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

NURS 505 ETHICAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE

This course provides an in-depth study of major ethical issues affecting the nursing care of individuals, families, and communities. Ethical frameworks are analyzed for decision-making in relation to selected nursing theories, standards of nursing care, and health care policies. Relationships between ethical decision-making and professional practice are explored. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

NURS 506 ADVANCED NURSING RESEARCH II

This course facilitates completion of the student’s Master’s evidence-based practice project. Students develop skills in scholarly writing, literature searches, citation management, academic integrity, manuscript preparation, and presentation of research findings. The completed project is presented at the University’s Research and Scholarship event and within the student’s organization of practice. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

Nursing Support Courses

NURS 530 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

This course investigates concepts and processes related to health care across the lifespan. Common pathophysiologic processes are discussed in conjunction with recent research. Pathophysiology is examined for its application to advanced practice nursing care, with emphasis on disease processes encountered in primary care. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 501 and NURS 502

  • Corequisite: NURS 504

NURS 531 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT/PRACTICUM AND NURS 531C HEALTH ASSESSMENT LAB

This course emphasizes theory and practice in biobehavioral and psychobehavioral assessment strategies essential to the care of adults. Students develop skills in obtaining and documenting a comprehensive health history and physical assessment and demonstrate advanced clinical judgment. Preceptor experiences assist students in synthesizing the components of health history and physical assessment. (3 credits)

  • Format: Hybrid didactic instruction plus in-person laboratory and practicum experiences.

  • Course Requirements: 2-hour lecture followed by 1-hour lab per week, plus 60 practicum hours.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 505 and NURS 532

  • Corequisites: NURS 531C and NURS 506 

NURS 532 ADVANCED PHARMACOPHYSIOLOGY

The principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of major drug groups are examined. Emphasis is placed on the application of drug therapy in managing common health problems in adults and older adults. Legal considerations for prescription writing are incorporated. (3 credits)

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 504 and NURS 530

  • Corequisite: NURS 505

Family Nurse Practitioner Courses

NURS 650 ADVANCED PRACTICE THEORY I

This course explores the diagnosis and management of frequently occurring health problems in primary care. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies are addressed across the lifespan. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic health conditions are emphasized.

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 531 and NURS 531C

  • Corequisite: NURS 651 

NURS 651 ADVANCED PRACTICUM/SEMINAR I

This course emphasizes implementation of theory-based nursing management strategies for young, middle-aged, older, and elderly adults. In ambulatory settings, students implement comprehensive skills in assessment, diagnosis, and management of wellness and acute and chronic health problems.

  • Format: Hybrid seminar instruction plus in-person clinical practicum.

  • Course Requirements: 1-hour seminar per week plus 180 practicum hours.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 531 and NURS 531C

  • Corequisite: NURS 650 

NURS 652 ADVANCED PRACTICE THEORY II

This course explores the diagnosis and management of common health problems in primary care, including gastrointestinal, genitourinary, renal, endocrine, neurological, musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, and immune disorders.

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 650 and NURS 651

  • Corequisite: NURS 653 

NURS 653 ADVANCED PRACTICUM/SEMINAR II

This course emphasizes implementation of theory-based nursing management strategies for patients across the lifespan. Students develop skills in assessment, diagnosis, and management of wellness and acute and chronic health problems in ambulatory settings.

  • Format: Hybrid seminar instruction plus in-person clinical practicum.

  • Course Requirements: 1-hour seminar per week plus 180 practicum hours.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 650 and NURS 651

  • Corequisite: NURS 652 

NURS 656 FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER THEORY III

This course explores the diagnosis and management of episodic, chronic, and developmental alterations in pediatric patients. Strategies for treatment and coordination of care of pediatric populations are addressed, along with issues affecting families

  • Format: 3-hour class meeting per week; delivered through the program’s hybrid format.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 652 and NURS 653

  • Corequisite: NURS 657 

NURS 657 FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICUM/SEMINAR III

This course emphasizes theory-based management strategies for children with episodic, developmental, and chronic health problems. Students implement management, preventive, and health-promoting strategies in clinical settings.

  • Format: Hybrid seminar instruction plus in-person clinical practicum.

  • Course Requirements: 1-hour seminar per week plus 180 practicum hours in pediatrics.

  • Prerequisites: NURS 652 and NURS 653

  • Corequisite: NURS 656 

Supplemental Course

NURS 600 CONTINUOUS CLINICAL PRACTICUM

Nurse Practitioner students register for this course to fulfill the 600 clinical hours required for graduation. Students continue to refine skills in comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and nursing management. 

Clinical sites may include ambulatory facilities, community health centers, acute care facilities, and/or long-term care facilities that provide care in the student’s specialty area. (0 credits)

  • Format: In-person clinical experience. 

A clinical fee will be charged upon registration.

Clinical and Practicum Requirements 

The MS-FNP program includes required in-person clinical and practicum experiences in addition to hybrid course instruction. 

Students complete 600 clinical hours required for graduation. Clinical experiences begin during the second semester of the program. 

Clinical and practicum hours are completed at approved clinical sites and are scheduled separately from the weekly hybrid course meeting. 

Clinical experiences are not conducted online.