Department of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
The Department of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with several specialty tracks, as well as stand-alone post-master’s certificates in various specialty areas. Two of the specialties—Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner—are also available to students pursuing the BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) Pathway. The department also offers the School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC), which can be taken as a stand-alone postbaccalaureate credential or as part of an MSN program.
The curriculums for these programs reflect the School of Nursing mission and are aligned with professional education standards for nursing. The programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the California Board of Registered Nursing, and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Graduates are eligible to apply for state certification or a credential in their specialty and may take national certification examinations where these are offered through specialty organizations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing program will be able to:
- Articulate a Christian worldview, demonstrating respect for the dignity and uniqueness of others, valuing diversity, and applying spiritual concepts.
- Engage in scholarly inquiry and critical thinking, including evaluation and application of evidence-based research.
- Appraise and apply knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that promote health and prevent disease.
- Demonstrate thoughtful analysis of the legal, political, ethical, and/or financial factors impacting health care.
- Use information systems and other technology to communicate, manage knowledge, promote quality, mitigate error, and support decision making.
- Demonstrate the ability to coordinate and collaborate with other healthcare team professionals.
- Engage in clinical reasoning and effective communication, and act as a change agent to develop professional identity and practice skill.
Transfer of Credits
Following admission, 9 units of approved graduate work completed elsewhere may be applied toward the MSN degree. Advanced Health Assessment may be considered for transfer credit if it was taken postlicensure as a registered nurse and the student was enrolled in an advanced practice nursing program. Advanced Pharmacology may be considered for transfer credit toward GNRS 611 (formerly GNRS 594) if it was taken less than 24 months prior to the APU MSN program admit date.
Additional Requirements
During the admission process, a review of academic transcripts is performed to assess whether the applicant has completed the prerequisite courses listed below. If not, students must complete the prerequisite courses as part of their MSN program before continuing to advanced practice courses (e.g., take undergraduate health assessment before advanced health assessment; take applied statistics and a nursing research course before the advanced practice research course).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Courses for MSN APRN Programs | ||
| MATH 130 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| or UNRS 299 | Statistics and Data Management for Nursing and Health Care | |
| UNRS 220 | Health Assessment | 3 |
| UNRS 367 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| UNRS 382 | Community Health Nursing | 3 |
| UNRS 403 | Leadership and Management in Professional Practice | 2 |
| UNRS 425 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| Total Units | 17 | |
At the beginning of clinical coursework, including health assessment lab, students are required to provide documentation including RN licensure, CPR certification, TB screening, and immunizations appropriate for the clinical setting.
A student’s health status must permit him/her to safely undertake and complete clinical experience required for the degree. As a fully prepared health professional, the student is expected to take responsibility for self-evaluation of her/his health status, including an assessment of the safety and appropriateness of practice in the clinical context, for the student and the patient.
The Joint Commission, contracted facilities, and the School of Nursing require that all graduate students undergo a background check prior to their placement at clinical sites. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student. International students will have additional fees based on the cost of a background check in their country.
The MSN program requires that students have ongoing clinical work experience.
Students may select additional elective courses to support their programs of study as directed by faculty.