Post-BSN to DNP Program

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Track prepares advanced practice nurses to care for acutely, critically or chronically ill adults. Experiences in clinical practice facilitate student integration and synthesis of theory about health and disease, findings of evidence-based research, knowledge of advanced pharmacotherapeutics and disease management, in order to meet healthcare needs of patients and their families. Opportunities are available to precept with physicians and experienced nurse practitioners in acute healthcare settings.

A total of forty-three semester credit hours is required for completion of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Track. The program’s courses prepare students in health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision making, and advanced therapeutics. While this is an online program, there will be 2-3 in-person learning days each semester while enrolled in these clinical specialty courses.

Graduates of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner major are eligible to take national certification examinations.

Students may “opt out” after the final Acute Care course and receive their MSN degree in order to be eligible to sit for their national certification exam. If students choose this option, they will have 4 years to return and complete the remaining DNP courses for the DNP Degree.

An Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track prepares advanced practice nurse with the skills necessary to provide primary care to diverse populations of adults in a variety of healthcare settings.

The graduate student has learning experiences in clinical practice settings that facilitate integration and synthesis of theory about health and disease, clinical research, knowledge of advanced pharmacotherapeutics, and disease management, in order to meet healthcare needs of patients and their families. Students have opportunities to be precepted with physicians and experienced adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners in a variety of primary healthcare settings in the Savannah and Coastal Atlantic regions.

A total of 43 semester credit hours is required for completion of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track. The program’s courses prepare students in health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision making, and advanced therapeutics. While this is an online program, there will be 2-3 in-person learning days each semester while enrolled in these clinical specialty courses.

Graduates of this track are eligible to take the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certification exam.

Students may “opt out” after the final Primary Care course and receive their MSN degree in order to be eligible to sit for their national certification exam. If students choose this option, they will have 4 years to return and complete the remaining DNP courses for the DNP Degree.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track prepares registered nurses for leadership in primary care to families and individuals of all ages. With a focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centered primary care, the program offers both didactic and clinical experiences that prepare nurse practitioners to care for the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health of patients, families and communities.

Curriculum content includes pathophysiology and pharmacology, health assessment, biomedical ethics, health policy, and management of common primary care health concerns, providing the theoretical and practical foundations for nurses to expand their scope of practice. The FNP specialty courses consist of three didactic and three clinical courses. Each clinical course will consist of 180 clinical hours per semester. One semester is devoted to each of the following specialty areas: women’s health, pediatrics and adult/gerontology. While this is an online program, there will be 2-3 in-person learning days each semester while enrolled in these clinical specialty courses.

Completion of the track will allow students to take the certification exam to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). FNPs are registered nurses who serve as primary and specialty health care providers. Much like family medicine physicians, family nurse practitioners work with patients throughout their lives, diagnosing illness, conducting exams and prescribing medications. These nurses can also serve as their patients’ sole health care provider and manage their own private practices.

Students may “opt out” after the final FNP course and receive their MSN degree in order to be eligible to sit for their national certification exam. If students choose this option, they will have 4 years to return and complete the remaining DNP courses for the DNP Degree.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMNNP) track prepares advanced practice nurses to provide pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies to meet mental health needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. Special focus includes opportunities to practice in interdisciplinary settings providing behavioral health and psychiatric services.

Curriculum content includes pathophysiology and pharmacology, health assessment, biomedical ethics, health policy, and management of common primary care health concerns, providing the theoretical and practical foundations for nurses to expand their scope of practice. While this is an online program, there will be 2-3 in-person learning days each semester.

Completion of the track will allow students to take the certification exam to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurse specialists who assess and diagnose mental health conditions, and who offer treatment by means of psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. PMHNPs work in clinical settings that include private, state or Veterans Administration in-patient or outpatient psychiatric facilities, private psychiatric practices, and community mental health centers. PMHMPs also provide services in settings such as correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential substance abuse facilities and schools. These practitioners are in high demand, and the University receives frequent inquires about graduates.

Students may “opt out” after the final PMH course and receive their MSN degree in order to be eligible to sit for their national certification exam. If students choose this option, they will have 4 years to return and complete the remaining DNP courses for the DNP Degree.