Program Mission
The mission of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Family Nurse Practitioner Program is to advance the knowledge of highly-skilled nurses in preparation for advanced practice as Franciscan servant leaders in a variety of settings, with a focus on rural and medically-underserved settings. The program achieves its mission by creating a respectful educational environment that embraces cultural diversity, emphasizes collaboration and interprofessional healthcare teams, and promotes evidence-based primary health care across the lifespan.
Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Upon graduation, the graduate will:
- Apply critical thinking and requisite knowledge to independently design, implement, and evaluate holistic and comprehensive care across the lifespan. (Essentials Domain 1,2; CA 9)
- Use technology and information systems to inform clinical practice and evaluate health care quality outcomes. (Essentials Domain 8; CA 5)
- Translate existing evidence to improve health outcomes and advanced nursing practice across settings. (Essentials Domain 4; CA 1, 4)
- Communicate and collaborate interprofessionally to manage, coordinate, and improve care across settings. (Essentials Domain 6; CA 2)
- Demonstrate leadership to promote improved access, quality, and cost-effective health care by applying principles of organizational and systems theory. (Essentials Domain 5,9,10; CA 2, 3, 9)
- Evaluate policies that affect healthcare organizations and systems to promote individual, family, and population health. (Essentials Domain 3,7; CA 6, 7)
- Integrate ethical principles and advocacy strategies to influence health and health care in diverse, equitable and inclusive environments. (Essentials Domain 3,7,9; CA 8)
Program Length
The MSN-FNP program requires the completion of 44 credit hours and 600 clinical hours over 2 or 3 years. The FNP Post Master’s Certificate option requires the completion of 18 to 29 credit hours and 600 clinical hours, depending upon course waivers. The curriculum is delivered in both an online and hybrid teaching format, allowing students the flexibility to study and work. The program is composed of sequential and integrated courses designed to facilitate achievement of the student learning outcomes.
Applicants should fulfill the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- Current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana at the time of application and enrollment
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited ACEN or CCNE accredited school of nursing college or university
- A recommended minimum of 1-year full-time RN experience prior to starting in the practicum courses within the program
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in undergraduate coursework
- Academic preparedness for advanced sciences and advanced clinical skills
- Three (3) professional letter of recommendation (one from current immediate supervisor)
- Current BLS certification; an official copy must be submitted
- All undergraduate or graduate transcripts
- One-page professional goal statement for a Family Nurse Practitioner
- Current immunizations; official copy must be submitted
- Must meet and comply with the MSN-FNP Core Performance Standards
Admissions Process
Entrance into the Family Nurse Practitioner program is competitive and is based on the stated admission requirements. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are submitted by the published deadline to be considered for an interview. Qualified applicants are interviewed by program representatives. Once admitted to the program and prior to beginning coursework, the student must obtain RN licensure in the State of Louisiana.
Year 1 - Spring
| IPGC 6315 | Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 5330 | Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6345 | Professional Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Year 1 - Summer
| NURS 6315 | Advanced Practice Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS 5235 | Nursing Theory & Advanced Practice Nursing | 2 |
| IPGC 6125 | Bioethics | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Year 1 - Fall
| NURS 6340 | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion | 3 |
| NURS 6340L | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion for Family Practice Lab | 1 |
| NURS 6420 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Year 2 - Spring
| NURS 5345 | Scholarly Project | 3 |
| NURS 5510 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Practice I (Practicum) | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Year 2 - Summer
| NURS 5515 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Practice II (Practicum) | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Year 2 - Fall
| NURS 5355 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| NURS 5520 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health III (Practicum) | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Total credit hours for a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner = 44
Total practicum hours = 600
Total laboratory hours = 45
Year 1 – Spring
| NURS 5330 | Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6345 | Professional Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Year 1 – Summer
| NURS 5235 | Nursing Theory & Advanced Practice Nursing | 2 |
| IPGC 6125 | Bioethics | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Year 1 – Fall
| NURS 6420 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Year 2 – Spring
| IPGC 6315 | Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Year 2 – Summer
| NURS 6315 | Advanced Practice Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Year 2 – Fall
| NURS 6340 | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion | 3 |
| NURS 6340L | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion for Family Practice Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Year 3 – Spring
| NURS 5345 | Scholarly Project | 3 |
| NURS 5510 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Practice I (Practicum) | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Year 3 – Summer
| NURS 5515 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Practice II (Practicum) | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Year 3 – Fall
| NURS 5355 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| NURS 5520 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health III (Practicum) | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Total credit hours for a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner = 44
Total practicum hours = 600
Total laboratory hours = 45
Students shall meet the following requirements to be recommended for graduation. Each student must:
- Meet all of the requirements of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University MSN-FNP degree program
- Clearance of all indebtedness to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, including the return of all materials borrowed from the University Library
Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state. https://franu.edu/offices-services/distance-education/licensure-disclosures.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program including the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) located at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program including the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
The program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, (225) 755-7500.