Curriculum Details

19 courses
50 credits
765 practicum hours
Seven- or 14-week course duration

The MSN courses you’ll take in the Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you to provide acute and primary care across the lifespan. You’ll learn through hands-on experiences and in-depth family nurse practitioner online seven- or 14-week courses.

As part of the MSN FNP program, you’ll visit the North Park campus for a 3 day on-site skills immersion in the state-of-the-art simulation lab. We’ll also provide clinical placement support*.

Graduate in 32 months prepared to sit for the family nurse practitioner exam through the ANCC or AANPCB national boards. You’ll also be qualified to sit for your Illinois APN advanced practice RN license.

Core Courses

Credits

NURS 5010 Scientific Inquiry and Knowledge Development Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on the evaluation and development of evidence-based approaches to improve practice, health outcomes, and the care environment. Emphasis is placed on utilizing theories in nursing research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement; analyzing evidence; identifying knowledge gaps; developing strategies to generate and disseminate new evidence; and planning approaches for translating evidence into practice. Cultural and lifespan considerations of evidence-based practice approaches are addressed. Ethical considerations of evidence appraisal, development, and implementation are identified. This course serves as the foundation for synthesis and development of nursing knowledge in clinical (capstone) projects. Students must have completed an undergraduate statistics or equivalent course and an undergraduate nursing research course.

NURS 5015 Health Care Systems: Organizations and Resources Credit Hours: 3

This course examines how health care delivery systems are organized and financed and the economic, political, and regulatory factors that influence the planning and delivery of healthcare services across the continuum of care. Emphasis is placed on utilizing health system data sets, quality improvement tools, and evidence-based practice to optimize patient safety and health outcomes. Students apply economic, systems, and organizational principles in evaluating the structure, function, and delivery of health care in the U.S. and participate in the development of policies to improve health care. The utilization of information technology to support the coordination, improvement, and delivery of care is explored.

NURS 5503 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Concepts and Transitions Credit Hours: 2

This course is designed to facilitate student transition into the role of advanced practice nurse. It builds on concepts of role socialization and organizational structure. Professional issues such as credentialing and reimbursement for advanced practice nurses are explored. Health care policy and its impact on advanced practice nursing and primary care are examined.

NURS 5505 Advanced Pathophysiology Credit Hours: 3

This course expands on foundational concepts of pathophysiology, focusing on altered cell, organ, and system function. Recognition, evaluation, and management of common health deviations of individuals across the lifespan are also addressed.

NURS 5510 Advanced Pharmacology Credit Hours: 3

This course expands on foundational concepts of pharmacology and provides a framework for understanding pharmacotherapeutics. The overall purpose of the course is to prepare advanced practice nurses for safe therapeutic drug selection and prescription for individuals across the lifespan.

NURS 5515 Advanced Health Assessment Credit Hours: 4

This course examines the process of health history taking, physical assessment, diagnostic data interpretation, and health assessment recording for individuals across the lifespan. It consists of a 3 hour didactic portion and a 1 hour laboratory component. Students must have completed an undergraduate health assessment course or equivalent prior to registering for this course.

NURS 5525 Campus Immersion and Practicum Qualification Credit Hours: 1

This course builds on the fundamental principles of advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and patient care management across the lifespan. It includes various skill development workshops and lectures to prepare students for entrance into practicum experiences, including Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). FNP students will demonstrate and apply advanced physical exams and clinical skills to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings.

NURS 5530 Adult Health I – Primary Care Credit Hours: 3

The course examines the health care needs of adults across the lifespan as addressed by the advanced practice nurse in primary care settings. It builds on the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention and emphasizes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses and medical emergencies

NURS 5540 Adult Health II – Primary Care Credit Hours: 3

The course, a continuation of NURS 5531, examines the health care needs of adults across the lifespan as addressed by the advanced practice nurse in primary care settings. It builds on the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention and emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses, and medical emergencies.

NURS 5532 Adult Health Primary Care Practicum Credit Hours: 3

The student engages in primary care clinical experiences that builds upon the synthesis and application of knowledge gained in previous courses for health promotion, assessment, diagnosis and management of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses and medical emergencies for adults across the lifespan. Supervised clinical experiences (255 clock hours) are provided in the clinical setting.

NURS 5560 Pediatric Primary Care Credit Hours: 3

This course addresses primary care of the pediatric patient in the context of family- centered care. It examines family theories and builds upon principles of growth and development, health promotion, disease prevention, diagnostic screening and anticipatory guidance related to the assessment and management during the well-child visit and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health care problems in children from infancy to adolescence.

NURS 5562 Pediatric Primary Care Practicum Credit Hours: 1

The student engages in primary care clinical experiences that build upon the synthesis and application of knowledge gained in previous courses for the application of health promotion, disease prevention, diagnostic screening and anticipatory guidance related to assessment and management of infants to adolescence during the well child visit and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health care problems. Supervised clinical experiences (85 clock hours)

NURS 5570 Women’s Health Primary Care Credit Hours: 3

The course examines health care needs of women from adolescence through older adulthood. It builds on the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention and emphasizes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common acute and chronic health alterations. At-ention is given to preconception care, family planning, pregnancy and post-partum care.

NURS 5572 Women’s Health Primary Care Practicum Credit Hours: 1

The student engages in primary care clinical experiences that builds upon the synthesis and application of knowledge gained in previous courses for health promotion, assessment, diagnosis and management of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses and medical emergencies for women across the lifespan from adolescence through older adulthood. Supervised clinical experiences (85 clock hours) are provided in the clinical setting.

NURS 5610 Advanced Practice Gerontologic Nursing I – Primary Care Credit Hours: 2

This course addresses the principles of health and aging and strategies for advanced assessment of older adults across cultural groups. Common geriatric issues and syndromes are discussed, with emphasis on wellness, prevention, maintenance, and early health care interventions in primary and long term care settings.

NURS 5792 Family Practice Residency I Credit Hours: 2

This is part 1 of a 2-part culminating course for the nurse practitioner student in the family nurse practitioner track. It is a residency. Students engage in clinical experiences to synthesize knowledge and skills gained in previous practicum courses. They assume responsibility for management of individual clients across the lifespan in the context of the family. Opportunities are also provided for advanced skill building with application to the clinical setting. Supervised clinical experiences (170 clock hours).

NURS 5793 Family Practice Residency II Credit Hours: 2

This is part 2 of a 2-part culminating course for the nurse practitioner student in the family nurse practitioner track. It is a residency. Students engage in clinical experiences to synthesize knowledge and skills gained in previous practicum courses. They assume responsibility for management of individual clients across the lifespan in the context of the family. Opportunities are also provided for advanced skill building with application to the clinical setting. Supervised clinical experiences (170 clock hours).

NURS 5990 Capstone Project Credit Hours: 2

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop an evidence based practice project with potential for dissemination. The project will be presented in both written and oral formats.

NURS 6018 Population Health Epidemiology Credit Hours: 3

This course integrates foundational and advanced principles of epidemiology and population health across the lifespan. Students’ progress from analyzing basic epidemiologic measures to critically appraising complex determinants of health, including social, cultural, environmental, structural, and genetic influences. By applying ethical, evidence-based frameworks and statistical concepts, learners conduct population risk assessments, identify priority health needs, and examine the root causes of illness and inequity. Building on these foundations, learners design, implement, and evaluate culturally responsive health promotion, disease prevention, and policy initiatives that address community, urban, national, and global contexts. Emphasis is placed on translating epidemiological data into actionable proposals, leading interprofessional collaborations, and advocating system-level improvements that enhance equity, quality, and sustainability.

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