Nursing (RN-MSN): Online Program
Faculty
Patricia Rissmiller, Associate Professor and Graduate Chair
Charlene Berube, Associate Professor of Practice and Chair of Undergrad Nursing
NIckie Burney, Director of Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Margaret Costello, Assistant Professor
Sarah Desmond, Associate Professor of Practice
Susan Duty, Associate Professor
Eileen McGee, Associate Professor of Practice
Jennifer Howard, Professor of Practice
Rebecca Koeniger-Donohue, Professor of Practice
Laura Rossi, Assistant Professor
Karen Teeley, Professor of Practice and Director of RN to BSN Program, Nursing@simmons
Sarah Volkman, Professor
Description
The Nursing@Simmons curriculum is designed to prepare licensed registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree to become clinical experts who are able to serve the holistic needs of their patients and meet the challenges that are presented in today’s primary care settings. The academically rigorous curriculum focuses on cutting-edge research and theory and enables students to immediately apply what they learn in their current role. Coursework focuses on promoting health and well-being, as well as assessing, preventing, and managing chronic illness and disease.
Learning Outcomes
- Critique, evaluate, synthesize and utilize theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge as applied to the assessment and management of both primary and acute health and illness states.
- Demonstrate a personal, collegial, and collaborative approach as an advanced practice Nurse while emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention and identification of environmental factors that impact health status across the lifespan.
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of human diversity as an advanced practice professional to assure the delivery of appropriate and individualized health care across the curriculum.
- Demonstrate sound critical thinking and clinical decision making reflected in effective written and verbal communications skills, utilized by the advanced practice Nurse in a complex delivery system.
- Demonstrate personal qualities and professional behaviors which are assertive and engage in advanced practice activities that advocate for on-going change and leadership within Nursing and in the health care system.
- Apply critical thinking skills within a multidisciplinary approach to care which fosters strategies and assembles multifaceted resources to empower patients, families and communities to attain and maintain maximal functional wellness.
- Demonstrate Nursing judgments and interventions which provide culturally sensitive care for diverse populations.
- Demonstrate Nursing practices which address human differences.
- Design and implement evidence-based primary health care practices in varied health care systems
- Assume a leadership role in the management of patients, communities and larger systems.
- Initiate changes in patient care and in the health care system through negotiations with other health care professionals.
- Evaluate the efficacy of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment interventions through the application of knowledge of health care systems, economics, policy, ethics and polities.
- Conduct clinical Nursing research designed to advance the science of Nursing.
- Advance professional growth through continued acquisition of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience, and through participation and/or leadership in professional and community
Requirements for entry into program
The RN-MSN program is for individuals who have diplomas or certificates from the former hospital system or an associate's degree and a United States RN license. Candidates must possess a current R.N. license and work experience in a health care setting.
Delivery Mode or Modes Available (full-time, part-time, locations, technologies, etc.)
Students can complete the program on either a part-time or full-time basis.
The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN degree is offered at Simmons Boston campus in the following pathways: BN to MSN, RN to MSN, and Direct Entry for BA/BS holders. There is also a Nursing@Simmons online Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program designed for RNs who have earned a bachelor’s degree.
Degree requirements
Credits
48 course credits
Required Courses for RN-MS Students
Capstone, placement, internship, practicum, etc.
You can expect to complete a total of 672 clinical hours.
Concentrations, specializations, etc.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Licensure, certification, etc.
Upon completion of the FNP program, you will be eligible to sit for the national board-certifying exam.
Other program information
Please consult the Nursing Student Handbook for additional information about Health Clearance, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Mandatory Clinical Orientation, Agency-Specific Requirements, Criminal Offender Record Inquiry, and other related policies.