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DALLAS TWP. — The Department of Graduate Nursing at Misericordia University is transitioning its Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree program into an online format beginning with the fall semester in order to make the program more convenient and flexible for Bachelor of Science degree nurses who want to become advanced practice registered nurses.
“We designed the online graduate program with the student and patient in mind,’’ said Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D., A.T.C., L.A.T., dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education at Misericordia University, in a statement. “The program’s flexibility and rigor mean it will be convenient for nurses to develop the advanced knowledge and specialty skills that are in high demand today, while also ensuring the development of competent practitioners.’’
The MSN program provides graduates with additional knowledge in health assessment, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions across the lifespan of individuals and families. Graduates also develop expertise in health promotion and disease prevention. Under the direction of clinical faculty, the MSN program also provides two intensive competency experiences on campus so students can develop advanced clinical skills, such as suturing, casting, and joint injection.
The 630 required clinical hours in primary care also can be completed close to home for added convenience. After successfully completing the 48-credit program, graduates are eligible to take the national family nurse practitioner certification examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
The post-master certificate in family nurse practitioner (FNP) enables Master’s-educated nurses prepared in another advanced clinical specialization to complete requirements to qualify for board certification as an FNP. Once completed, graduates also are eligible to sit for the national family nurse practitioner certification examinations.
Demand for FNPs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is forecast to grow 31 percent from 2014-24, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The field’s job growth is attributed to an increase demand for health care services due to the influx of newly insured patients, an emphasis on preventive care, and the aging baby-boom population, according to the Occupational Handbook Outlook report.
The Department of Graduate Nursing at Misericordia University is also in the planning phase for two new nurse practitioner tracks: Adult/Gerontological Primary Care NP and Adult/Geronotologial Acute Care NP.
The university also offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program with MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP options.
