Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin. ​

Program Description

This online graduate degree in nursing will provide students with the academic knowledge, skills, and expertise to apply for certification as an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner in primary care. Graduates will be prepared to have integrated praxis philosophy throughout multiple courses. The program consists of bridge, core, specialty, and clinical courses. This program is for licensed registered nurses (current, unrestricted license) with an Associate Nursing degree interested in advancing their careers to become certified adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.

Prior to enrollment, individuals considering a Master of Science in Nursing program (nurse practitioner tracks) should check with their applicable state board of nursing before enrolling in any graduate nursing program for any specific state requirements and required clinical courses for eligibility to apply for licensure.

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Core MSN Program Outcomes 

Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to: 

1. Integrate scientific evidence from nursing and biopsychosocial disciplines, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences when designing and implementing outcome measures in diverse settings and through the lifespan. 

2. Demonstrate leadership skills that emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, fiscal responsibility, inter-professional relationships that promote safe, quality care within a systems framework. 

3. Apply methods, tools, performance measures, and evidence-based standards when evaluating quality indicators within an organizational system. 

4. Synthesize theories, models and research findings inherent to nursing practice, education and management to guide an organization or healthcare system towards achieving successful outcomes. 

5. Apply client/patient care technologies and informatics to coordinate and ensure safe quality care and promote effective communication among members of the inter-professional healthcare team. 

6. Analyze ethical, legal and sociocultural factors to influence policy development and healthcare delivery systems that promote the health of individuals and populations. 

7. Articulate a leadership role within inter-professional teams through effective communication, collaboration and consultation with other professionals to manage, coordinate care and provide safe, quality family-centered and population-based care. 

8. Incorporate organizational and culturally sensitive client and population centered concepts in the planning, delivery, management, and evaluation of direct and indirect evidence-based health promotion care and services to specified individuals, families and populations. 

9. Implement scholarly activities in selected individuals, populations, and systems. 

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program Outcomes 

Students are expected to meet all the core MSN program outcomes as well as the Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Acute Care program outcomes. Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate critical thinking and holistic caring as an advanced practice nurse. 

2. Analyze scientific literature for application to selected diagnoses and treatment plans. 

3. Synthesize ethical principles into the management and evaluation of healthcare delivery concerns in culturally diverse care settings. 

4. Articulate a personal philosophy and framework acknowledging professional and accrediting agency competencies relating to the role and scope of practice of the adult gerontology nurse practitioner. 

5. Implement the role of the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner in selected acute care and clinical settings. 

Third Party Testing

Assessment and remediation are critical components of nursing education. Students in the graduate nursing program will be required to take proctored third-party, standardized exams in an electronic format throughout the curriculum. These standardized tests are valid and reliable predictors of clinical readiness, success on certification examinations and provide valuable feedback concerning student strengths and weaknesses. Student learning outcome data identifies content areas that require remediation, allowing faculty to personalize student support and intervention. Courses that utilize third-party exams will incorporate the points based upon student performance as specified in the course syllabus.

Clinical Proficiency Exam and Policy

Students in the graduate nursing program are subject to a clinical proficiency exam following successful completion of the following courses: Advanced Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Pharmacology (3P’s). This exam is a comprehensive assessment of all content covered in the three courses completed.

The Clinical Proficiency Exam is administered, utilizing a proctoring program, while completing either NU 611, NU 671, or NU 664 depending on the student’s program.

If the “benchmark” score on the first attempt is not attained, a plan for remediation will be developed in collaboration with the faculty/program chair/success coach and a second attempt will be provided. If the student is below the” benchmark” score on the second attempt, the student cannot enroll in the next semester clinical courses. The student will be enrolled in any outstanding didactic courses as well as a Nursing Remediation course to provide remediation of the content. At the end of the remediation course, students will be provided a final attempt to demonstrate competency on the Clinical Proficiency exam.

If the student is unsuccessful on the final attempt to demonstrate competency, the student will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible to re-enter into another practice program. A student who is dismissed may appeal to transfer into any other non-nursing program offered at Herzing University.

Students who are successful on the final retake exam will be rescheduled by Registrar Services in the next available clinical course.

Program Content 

A minimum of 64.00 semester credit hours is required for graduation.