Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Nursing

Program Name and Number:  Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track – MS1236

Department/Unit: School of Nursing

Delivery Mode:  Online

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall

Program Overview:  The Ohio University School of Nursing promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships, and facilitates regional collaboration that will enhance the health of diverse communities.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program consists of both didactic and practice-based clinical performance courses. The didactic courses present the nursing knowledge, theoretical concepts, models, and research that inform patient care and evidence-based practice. The practice-based courses provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge; practice skills; plan, implement and evaluate interventions and programs; and learn the full scope of the role for which they are preparing.

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). AGACNPs provide direct patient management and patient care in acute and complex care settings.

Clinical practicum experiences occur in acute-cate settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 650 direct-care hours. The expected time for completion of the program is 6 semesters taking the typical two courses per semester.

Program Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge derived from a scientific foundation and evidence-based practice to demonstrate expertise in advanced nursing practice.
• Analyze health care policies to enhance and improve population health outcomes across diverse clinical practice settings.
• Demonstrate leadership and interprofessional collaboration for improving clinical prevention and health outcomes.
• Synthesize and apply quality improvement strategies to promote positive health outcomes.  
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and confidence for entry-level advanced nursing practice.
• Integrate knowledge and skills related to healthcare informatics in the advanced nursing practice role.

Opportunities for Graduates:

This certificate provides specific specialty content required for board eligibility for AGACNP certification. This national certification is required by many healthcare organizations for employment as a nurse practitioner in acute care settings such as:

• Trauma units
• Subacute (step down) care units
• Emergency rooms
• Highly specialized clinics
• Cardiac care units
• Schools of nursing
• Private practice

Graduates are also well-prepared and eligible for doctoral education programs such as the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD.

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/adult-gerontology-acute-care-nurse-practitioner

Graduation Requirements:  

• Minimum semester hours required = 46
• Thesis requirement: No
• Qualifying exam: Yes
• Comprehensive exam: Yes
• Expected time to degree completion for a full-time student is six semesters.

Required courses:

Core courses (18 cr hrs)

• NRSE 6010 - Theoretical Basis for Practice (3)
• NRSE 6210 - Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
• NRSE 6805 - Analyzing EBP for the APN (3)
• NRSE 6221 - Health Appraisal for NPs (3)
• NRSE 6230 - Advanced Pharmacology (3)
• NRSE 6021 - Assessment and Intervention in Family Care (3)

AGACNP Track Courses (28 cr hrs

• NRSE 6231 - Applied Clinical Pharmacology for the AGACNP (2)
• NRSE 6232 - Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures for Clinical Decision-Making (2)
• NRSE 6826 -AGACNP Management of Common Adult Health Problems (7)     
• NRSE 6827 - AGACNP Management of Common Adult Health Problems II (7)
• NRSE 6828 - AGACNP in Practice (8)
• NRSE 6933 - Capstone Experience for Nurse Practitioners (2)

 

Culminating Experience:

• Capstone Simulation
• Portfolio Evaluation

Admission Requirements: In addition to the standard Graduate College admission requirements, potential MSN students must also supply/document the following:

• Specified health status requirements (immunization status, Tb screening, etc. as delineated in the current MSN Student Handbook)
• Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from regionally accredited institution.
• FBI/BCI background checks free from disqualifying offenses under Senate Bills 38 and 160 (A list of these offenses may be found in the current MSN Student Handbook).
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the Master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years.
• Residents of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in one of the following states: California, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan or West Virginia.
• Have current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• An admission interview with faculty, held online through communications programs like Adobe Connect.

International Students:  This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.