RN to MS in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner (BS Entry)

The program is offered only online

The RN to MS in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner (BS Entry) in partnership with the DePaul University and their College of Science and Health School of Nursing is an online Master of Science (MS) in Nursing with a family nurse practitioner (FNP) concentration for registered nurses (RNs) who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Building upon the expertise and values of the largest Catholic university in the U.S., this program features thought leadership pieces from CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in the U.S. The degree focuses on holistic care from diagnosing, treating, and helping to manage illnesses to counseling and patient education, tackling every aspect of medical service in a variety of populations, from infants to seniors.

The program is a combination of extensive practical experience through 600 clinical hours and high-quality online learning content with a focus on social responsibility and ethical and political engagement in nursing. Participants will graduate with an MS in Nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and be prepared for the FNP National Certification examination (FNP-BC).

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Gain Clinical Autonomy and Support Patients Through the Entire Lifecycle

• #1 largest Catholic university in the U.S. by enrollment (DePaul University)

• 70+ years of quality nursing programs from DePaul University College of Science and Health School of Nursing

• 120+ years of academic excellence are provided by DePaul University

Curriculum

The RN to MS in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner (BS Entry) program consists of a fixed track of 2 years and 9 months, amounting to 70 quarter hours, which are geared towards preparing graduates for the FNP National Certification examination.

The curriculum allows participants to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to deliver nursing care to people of all ages across the health continuum: Years one and two consist of online learning content, giving students the opportunity to fit their studies into their busy lives as practicing healthcare professionals.

Three Practicums in Population-Based Nursing Practice making up the last three-quarters of the program function as rich, immersive experiences that present an integral part of students’ advanced practice nursing education and career preparedness.

Year 1

• Fall Quarter
  • NSG 464: Health Assessment for Advanced Practice (6 quarter hours)

• Winter Quarter
  • NSG 428: Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (4 quarter hours)
  • NSG 400: Theoretical Components of Nursing (4)

• Spring Quarter
  • NSG 446: Ethical and Political Engagement in Nursing (4)
  • NSG 401: Nursing Research (4)

• Summer Quarter:
  • NSG 554: Informatics and Technology Applications (4)
  • NSG 481: Biostatistics and Epidemiology (4)

Year 2

• Fall Quarter
  • NSG 484: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (4)

• Winter Quarter
  • NSG 474: Primary Care of the Adult and Older Adult (4)
  • NSG 473: Primary Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent (4)

• Spring Quarter
  • NSG 478: Clinical Management of Acute and Chronic Illnesses (4)
  • NSG 475: Women's Reproductive Health and Gynecology (4)

• Summer Quarter
  • NSG 488: Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing (4)
  • NSG 598: Graduate Research Synthesis (4)

Year 3

• Fall Quarter
  • NSG 483: Practicum in Population-Based Nursing Practice I (4)

• Winter Quarter
  • NSG 487: Practicum in Population-Based Nursing Practice II (4)

• Spring Quarter:
  • NSG 490: Practicum in Population-Based Nursing Practice III (4)

Skills Acquired

Graduates of the RN to MS in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner (BS Entry) program will be able to

• Synthesize knowledge from the sciences, the humanities, and nursing science to assess, plan, and provide care for individuals, families, and communities using evidence-based and values-based modalities

• Develop a foundation for professional nursing practice emphasizing autonomy, integrity, change agency, and advocacy to social justice integrating Vincentian and altruistic values

• Design and deliver culturally appropriate nursing care services to diverse individuals, families, and populations, in coordination with appropriate multidisciplinary providers across the continuum of care

• Demonstrate progression in life-long learning by applying critical thinking to analyze contemporary healthcare, including but not limited to social determinants of health, health inequities, serving high-risk populations, technological applications in healthcare, healthcare policy, and healthcare finance

Program Cost and Financial Aid

• Program cost: $51,450

• The application fee for DHGE students is waived.

• Students in the program have access to the following types of financial aid:
  • Employer tuition assistance programs
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  • Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan
  • DePaul University payment plans
  • Veteran educational benefits (if applicable)

Who Should Study This Program?

If you’re currently an RN with a BSN wanting to gain more clinical autonomy by specializing as an FNP, our RN to MS in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner (BS Entry) program will prepare you for advanced clinical practice that involves individuals and families across the health continuum. The curriculum is specifically geared towards preparing graduates for the FNP National Certification examination.

About the Partnership: DHGE and DePaul University

The partnership between Dignity Health Global Education and DePaul University unites the expertise of one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in the U.S., through one of DHGE’s parent companies, and the largest Catholic university in the U.S. with 120+ years of educational experience.