Overview:
The School of Nursing offers a curriculum leading to the degree of Master
of Science in Nursing. 
9th ranked program in Family Nurse PractitionerThe
program of study prepares students for roles in advanced nursing practice. The
program requires research, professional and clinical cores, and a selected advanced
practice area. Applicants are admitted for either full-time or part-time study
and can begin in fall or spring.
The advanced practice curriculum in the Family Nurse practitioner Program
prepares nurses as family nurse practitioners (FNPs) for community-oriented primary
care. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification
examinations and to apply for approval to practice as FNPs in North Carolina.
FNPs provide comprehensive health promotion services to ambulatory clients;
evaluate presenting problems at the client's initial contact with the primary
care system; and provide continuing care to clients with acute and stable chronic
illnesses. In addition to clinical practice, other themes emphasized throughout
the primary care courses include: an epidemiological approach to clinical problems;
holism and caring; family and community systems; appropriate use of technology;
cost effectiveness; collaboration; consultation and the referral process; theoretical
frameworks; and the research base for primary care practice.
Students complete 700 hours of clinical practice with experienced and credentialed
preceptors, culminating in a capstone practicum in general family practice. A
variety of settings are utilized: family practices; health maintenance organizations;
student health services; occupational health clinics; home health services; rural
clinics; and child, adolescent, adult and geriatric sites. Clinical practice sites are generally located in central NC, but they may extend across the state and require travel.
Each student's program is individualized to the student's interests and needs
through clinical placements, papers, presentations, and elective courses. Full-time
students who begin during the fall semester can complete the program in four
semesters and one intervening summer practicum. Part-time students usually complete
the program in six semesters and one intervening summer term.
MSN students with an interest in community oriented primary care or global health will have opportunities to focus their study in areas of special interest such as vulnerable populations or health disparities through clinical placements, elective courses, and the Master's Paper. Additionally, students may choose from a wider variety of electives outside the School of Nursing, in the many different departments and schools at Carolina. Students are encouraged to talk with their advisors about their interests in special areas for developing an individualized plan of study.
Curriculum:
(See Graduate Record for prerequisites and/or corequisites)
Professional Core (6 credits):
NURS 646
Health Care Policy in the US: Development, Impacts, and Implications for Nurses (3 credits)
Examines health care systems development, impact, and prospects for change. Content enables nurses to draw implications for nursing practice and advocacy for improving systems. (3 classroom hours/week)
NURS 647
Approaches to Advanced Practice Integrating Theories, Roles and Issues (3 credits)
Examines the historical evolution, theoretical roots, current roles and context of advanced practice nursing. Content addresses the definition, issues, and scope of advanced practice nursing within a changing environment. (3 classroom hours/week)
Research Core (9-11 credits):
NURS 776
Research for Advanced Clinical Practice (3 credits)
Graduate standing. Successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course. This course explores approaches to research problems in advanced practice nursing. Theories, methods, designs, measurements, ethical conduct, and skills in critical appraisal are emphasized.
NURS 777
Intermediate Statistical Applications in Health Care (3 credits)
Graduate standing. This course provides an introduction to probability, statistical concepts, and analytical techniques useful in health care research and for interpreting the literature.
NURS 992
Master's Paper (3 credits)
Students complete a master's paper under the guidance and supervision of a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Completion of a scholarly paper reflecting the activity is required.
OR
NURS 993
Master's Thesis (3-6 credits)
Students complete a thesis under the guidance and supervision of a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Completion of a scholarly paper reflecting the activity is required.
Clinical Core (12 credits):
NURS 642
Health Promotion (2 credits)
This course focuses on the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and identification of factors that impact health across the life span. (2 classroom hours/week)
NURS 715
Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines physiological and pathophysiological responses to injury - the effects of injury on cell function, host defense responses, the maintenance of vital functions, and neuroendocrine immune responses to stress across the life span. (3 classroom hours/week)
NURS 720
Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision making in advanced nursing practice, with application to clinical management of common health problems specific to all age groups, encompassing a life span approach. (3 classroom hours/week)
NURS 726
Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning in Primary Care Nursing (4 credits)
This course focuses on diagnostic reasoning as a framework to synthesize knowledge for comprehensive assessment of primary care patients throughout the life span. Prerequisites to all advanced practice area courses. (3 classroom hours/week; approximately 120 clinical hours including supervised labs/semester)
Advanced Practice Area (15 credits):
NURS 721
Pediatric Pharmacology (1 credit)
The course will examine the principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision-making in advanced nursing practice, with application to the clinical management of common health problems specific to pediatrics.
NURS 810
Primary Care Management of Adults (4 credits)
This course examines the management strategies in community-based ambulatory care settings that provide care to adult individuals and their families. (3 classroom hours/week and 120 clinical hours/semester)
NURS 825
Sexual and Reproductive Health (3 credits)
This course uses a lifespan approach to examine principles of primary care management of child bearing couples, and sexual and reproductive health in women and men. Application is in community-based settings. (45 classroom hours and 120 clinical hours)
NURS 826
Introduction to Population Health and Community-Based Practice (2 credits)
Introduces fundamental concepts and models of community-oriented nursing practice and the central issues affecting that practice. Focuses on underserved and rural communities. (Classroom hours are usually fronted loaded at the beginning of the first summer session and extend into the second summer session).
NURS 827
Child Health Issues in Primary Care (3 credits)
This course examines the principles of assessment, management, evaluation and continuing care, of children in primary care settings. Developmentally appropriate, family-centered approaches and management of common medical problems are addressed. (2 classroom hours; 120 clinical hours per semester)
NURS 828
Advanced Clinical Practicum in Community Oriented Primary Care (2 credits)
The capstone practicum for family nurse practitioners, emphasizing accountability for addressing most personal healthcare needs, developing partnerships with patients, and scholarly practice in the context of family and community. (240 clinical hours; 1 cr = 120 hours)
Admission
Applicants must be accepted by The Graduate School and the School of Nursing. Applications for spring admission must be submitted by October 1st, and by March 1st for fall admission. Students wishing to be considered for the University's Competitive Merit Fellowship program must apply by December 15th for fall admission. Only complete applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee; all required elements must be received before Committee evaluation can begin.
The School of Nursing admits students on a "rolling basis" however, if an
expeditious review is desired, applicants must submit all
supporting documentation to the School at the time the application is electronically
filed.
Admission Criteria
- Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
- Registered nurses with an associate's degree or diploma in nursing, or who
have an earned bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, may apply to
the RN-MSN Program. These students complete three undergraduate nursing courses
prior to beginning the Master's clinical course sequence. Please contact the
Office of Admissions & Student Services for information on the RN-MSN Program
or see the RN-MSN
page.
- Strong overall academic record with an average of "B" or better in nursing
courses and during the four years of undergraduate work. For RN-MSN applicants,
the GPA is calculated using the 51 course credits required for admission (see
RN-MSN page).
- Competitive GRE scores.
- Note: The University considers scores at or near the 50th percentile as "competitive" for
each of the quantitative and verbal sections of the GRE. Applicants who feel
their working knowledge of algebra, geometry and data analysis may be "rusty",
are encouraged to prepare thoroughly before sitting for this exam. Completion
of a GRE Preparation Course may be
helpful.
- Minimum of one year of work experience as an RN, preferably in the area
of desired specialization.
- Introductory statistics course with a grade of C or better, completed
in the past 10 years.
- Health assessment course, approved by the School. Please refer to the School
of Nursing's Master's Application Instructions for details of this requirement.
- Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state in which the student will do clinical course work. Note: an "unencumbered license" means neither the license, the licensee's practice, nor the licensee is associated with any type of restriction, encumbrance, or probationary limitations imposed by the applicable Board of Nursing or any judicial entity.
Please refer to the School of Nursing Master's
Application Instructions for detailed information on admissions requirements
and required application materials.
Family Nurse Practitioner Faculty:
Debra
J. Barksdale, PhD, RN, CFNP, CANP
Tom
Bush, MSN, RN, APRN, BC
Jean
Davison, MSN, RN, FNP-C
Eric Hodges, PhD, APRN, BC
Ann Jessup, PhD, RN, CFNP
Laura
Calamos Nasir, MSN, RN, FNP, BC
Anne
Skelly, PhD, RN, ANP-C
FOR MORE INFORMATION
School of Nursing
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Carrington Hall, CB #7460
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460
For general information on the School of Nursing and application materials,
contact:
Office of Admissions and Student Services
(919) 966-4260
nursing@unc.edu
