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Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.) Programs

 

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Post-Master's Certificate
• Post-Certificate Master's

Admission Guidelines

THE ROLE
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in the Gerontological Nursing program prepares graduates to function as gerontological nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. The emphasis of the program is on clinical practice with healthy and frail older adults that prepares advanced practice nurses to function autonomously across the spectrum of health care in a variety of settings. The focus of the gerontological nurse practitioner program is the management of common health problems experienced by older adults with an emphasis on physical and multidimensional functional assessment. The gerontological clinical nurse specialist program focuses on nursing leadership, consultation, and participation in multidisciplinary clinical programs for older adults. The student will gain an in-depth knowledge of nursing theory and research, critical decision-making, differential diagnosis, and patient/case management related to a) promotion, maintenance and/or restoration of health; b) optimal functioning; and c) promotion of death with dignity.

THE PROGRAM
There are six unique aspects of this program: a) a combination of online and onsite didactic courses; b) accessible clinical practice sites; c) individualized clinical practica precepted by expert health care practitioners; d) individually designed post-master's certificate and post-certificate master's options; e) combined GNP/Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) program of study; and f) competency-based application of knowledge to clinical practice.

THE FACULTY
Rush College of Nursing faculties are highly experienced practitioner-teachers with doctoral and master's degrees and certification in their specialties. The Practitioner-Teacher model at Rush University allows faculties to maintain and enhance their clinical expertise and apply it to research and academic programs. Faculties are nationally and internationally known in their various areas of expertise and are actively involved and often leaders in professional organizations. Faculties are also well published and frequently speak at local, regional, national, and international professional meetings. Additional program faculty include experienced health care providers such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physicians, as well as allied health care professionals with expertise in the care of older adults.

Faculty contacts for Gerontological Nursing programs:
Joanne Miller, PhD, RN, GNP
312-942-7219
Joanne_M_Miller@rush.edu

Lynn Sivertsen, MSN, RN, GNP
312-942-6275
Lynn_Sivertsen@rush.edu

CLINICAL SITES
Rush University Medical Center offers graduate students in gerontological clinical practica in a wide variety of settings. Practicum sites include acute care institutions, nursing homes, retirement apartments, nursing wellness centers, community outreach sites, home care agencies, and ambulatory care settings. Clinical practice experiences are planned on a student-centered basis by Rush College of Nursing faculty. Planning is based on individual student learning needs, available clinical sites and preceptors, and specifically designed clinical objectives.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Career opportunities for gerontological advanced practice nurses encompass a variety of healthcare settings, including retirement centers, nursing homes, ambulatory clinics, home care agencies, hospital-based skilled nursing facilities, and special hospital-based geriatric programs. They function independently and collaboratively with a variety of gerontological care providers to deliver quality, evidence-based care that will maximize patient care outcomes.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION
Completion of a gerontological advanced practice nursing program provides eligibility for certification as a gerontological nurse practitioner or gerontological clinical nurse specialist by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association and for state licensure/certification where available.

To apply or for further information, please contact:
College Admission Services
600 S. Paulina, Suite 440
Chicago, IL 60612
Telephone: 312-942-7100; Fax: 312-942-2219
Rush_Admissions@rush.edu
To apply online, go to:
www.rushu.rush.edu/nursing/admission.html

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing - Program of Study

 Credit Graduate Nursing Core 
2  * NUR 501A Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice
 ** NUR 502A Professional Issues in Role Development
 ** NUR 502B Implementation of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role
4  * NUR 503 Physical Diagnosis: Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan
 * NUR 510 Biostatistics
3  ** NUR 521A Research for Advanced Practice
3  ** NUR 522 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Diverse Populations
2 ** BHV 505 Interdisciplinary Studies in Palliative Care (offered every qtr., add to sample program of study below)
1  NUR 548 MSN Capstone
  Subtotal 22 credit hours
 Credit Advanced Practice Nursing Core
4  * PHY 551 Advanced Physiology I
2  * PHY 552 Advanced Physiology II
 * PPH 511 Advanced Pathophysiology I
 * PPH 512 Advanced Pathophysiology II
 * NUR 529 Pharmacology
 * NUR 530E Pharmacotherapeutics: Primary Care
 ** BHV 553 The Older Adult
3 * NUR 505 Diagnostics for the Advanced Practice Nurse
3 ** BHV 528 Major Psychopathological Disorders
Subtotal 27 credit hours
 Credit Specialty Curriculum Content
4 *** NUR 534R Management of the Adult Patient: Acute and Chronic Illness I
4 *** NUR 534S Management of the Adult Patient: Acute and Chronic Illness II
2 *** NUR 534T Management of the Adult Patient: Women’s Health
3 *** NUR 534V Management of the Adult Patient: Frail Elderly
12 NUR 541 Master’s Practicum. Additional practicum hours may be required by area of concentration and/or individual student needs.
2 NUR 600 GNP residency is 180-240 clock hours. Additional residency hours may be required by area of concentration and/or individual student needs. Students must register for 2 credit hours per quarter until the residency hours are completed.
Subtotal 27 credit hours
Total 76 credit hours

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing

Sample Program of Study - 9 quarters

 Year Fall  Winter  Spring  Summer 
 1  4 PHY 551
 2 PHY 552
 3 NUR 522
 2 NUR 502A
   2 PPH 511
 4 PPH 512
 3 NUR 521A
 3 NUR 529
   2 NUR 501A
 3 NUR 510
 2 NUR 520
 4 NUR 503
   
   3 BHV 528
 
 Total  8 credit hours 9 credit hours  11 credit hours  9 credit hours 
 2  3 NUR 530E
 4 NUR 534R
 4 NUR 534S
 2 NUR 534T
   2 NUR 541
 4 NUR 541
 3 NUR 541
 3 NUR 541
   3 NUR 534V
   2 NUR 502B
 1 NUR 548
   3 BHV 553
     
 Total  11 credit hours 8 credit hours  9 credit hours  6 credit hours 
 3  2 NUR 600
     
 Total 2 credit hours      

Sample Program of Study - 13 quarters
 Year Fall  Winter  Spring  Summer 
1 4 PHY 551
2 PHY 552 3 NUR 522
3 NUR 529
  2 PPH 511
4 PPH 512
2 NUR 502A
2 NUR 501A
 Total 6 credit hours 6 credit hours  5 credit hours  5 credit hours 
2 3 BHV 553
3 NUR 505
3 NUR 521
4 NUR 503
  3 NUR 530E
3 NUR 510
3 BHV 528
 
 Total 6 credit hours 6 credit hours  6 credit hours  4 credit hours 
3 3 NUR 534V
4 NUR 534R
4 NUR 534S
2 NUR 534T
  2 NUR 541
4 NUR 541
3 NUR 541
3 NUR 541
      2 NUR 502B
1 NUR 548
 Total 5 credit hours 8 credit hours  9 credit hours  6 credit hours 
4 2 NUR 600
     
 Total 2 credit hours      

 

Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist
Master of Science in Nursing - Program of Study

Credit Graduate Nursing Core
 * NUR 501A Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice
 ** NUR 502A Professional Issues in Role Development
2  ** NUR 502B Implementation of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role
 * NUR 503 Physical Diagnosis: Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan
 * NUR 510 Biostatistics
3  ** NUR 521A Research for Advanced Practice
3  ** NUR 522 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Diverse Populations
 NUR 548 MSN Capstone
Subtotal 20 credit hours
Credit Advanced Practice Nursing Core
4  * PHY 551 Advanced Physiology I
2  * PHY 552 Advanced Physiology II
2  * PPH 511 Advanced Pathophysiology I
4  * PPH 512 Advanced Pathophysiology II
3  * NUR 529 Pharmacology
3  * NUR 530E Pharmacotherapeutics in Primary Care
3  ** BHV 553 The Older Adult
2 *** NUR 520 Case Management Across the Health Care Continuum
3 ** BHV 528 Major Psychopathological Disorders
Subtotal 26 credit hours 
Credit Specialty Curriculum Content
4 *** NUR 534R Management of the Adult Patient: Acute and Chronic Illness I
4 *** NUR 534S Management of the Adult Patient: Acute and Chronic Illness II
3 *** NUR 534V Management of the Adult: Frail Elderly
12 NUR 541 Master’s Practicum. Additional practicum hours may be required by area of concentration and/or individual student needs.
2 NUR 600 Gerontological CNS residency is 120 clock hours.
Subtotal 25 credit hours
Total 71 credit hours

 

Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist
Master or Science in Nursing

Sample Program of Study - 9 quarters

 Year Fall  Winter  Spring  Summer 
 1  4 PHY 551
 2 PHY 552
 3 NUR 522
 4 NUR 503
   2 PPH 511
 4 PPH 512
 3 NUR 521A
 3 NUR 529
   2 NUR 501A
 3 NUR 510
 2 NUR 520
 2 NUR 502A
       3 BHV 528  
 Total 8 credit hours 9 credit hours  11 credit hours  9 credit hours 
 2  3 BHV 553
 4 NUR 534R
 4 NUR 534S
 3 NUR 541
   3 NUR 534V
 4 NUR 541
 3 NUR 541
 1 NUR 548
   3 NUR 530E
   2 NUR 502B
 
   2 NUR 541
     
 Total 11 credit hours 8 credit hours  9 credit hours  4 credit hours 
 3  2 NUR 600
     
 Total 2 credit hours      

  

  Sample Program of Study - 13 quarters

 Year Fall  Winter  Spring  Summer 
 1  4 PHY 551
 2 PHY 552
 3 NUR 522
 2 NUR 501A
   2 PPH 511
 4 PPH 512
 2 NUR 520
 2 NUR 502A
 Total 6 credit hours 6 credit hours  5 credit hours  4 credit hours 
 2  3 BHV 528
 3 NUR 510
 4 NUR 503
 3 NUR 529
   3 BHV 553
   3 NUR 521A  
 Total 6 credit hours 3 credit hours  7 credit hours  3 credit hours 
 3  3 NUR 530E
 4 NUR 541
 3 NUR 541
 3 NUR 541
   3 NUR 534V
 4 NUR 534R
 4 NUR 534S
 1 NUR 548
   2 NUR 541
   2 NUR 502B
 
 Total 8 credit hours 8 credit hours  9 credit hours  4 credit hours 
 4  2 NUR 600
     
 Total 2 credit hours      

 

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Program of Study
Postmaster's Non-degree Option

Credit Specialty Curriculum Content
3  * NUR 530E Pharmacotherapeutics in Primary Care
3  * NUR 505 Diagnostics for the Advanced Practice Nurse
3  ** BHV 528 Major Psychopathological Disorders
4  *** NUR 534R Management of the Adult Patient: Acute and Chronic Illness I
4  *** NUR 534S Management of the Adult Patient: Acute and Chronic Illness II
2  *** NUR 534T Management of the Adult Patient: Women’s Health
3 *** NUR 534V Management of the Adult Patient:Frail Elderly
12+  NUR 541 Postmaster’s Practicum. Additional practicum hours may be required by the area of concentration and/or individual student needs.
2  NUR 600 GNP residency is 180-240 clock hours. Additional residency hours may be required by the area of concentration and/or individual student needs. Students must register for 2 credit hours per quarter until the residency hours are completed.
 Total 39 credit hours 
 + Maximum of 6 credits of clinical practica may be accepted as transfer from previous graduate nursing degree  
Prerequisites: The following are prerequisite graduate level coursework which must be completed prior to beginning the clinical courses for the program. These courses may be from a master’s program from another institution or completed at Rush.
2  ** NUR 502A Professional Issues in Role Development
2  ** NUR 502B Implementation of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role
4  * NUR 503 Physical Diagnosis: Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan
4  * PHY 551 Advanced Physiology I
2  * PHY 552 Advanced Physiology II
2  * PPH 511 Advanced Pathophysiology I
4  * PPH 512 Advanced Pathophysiology II
3 * NUR 529 Pharmacology
3  ** BHV 553 The Older Adult

Courses are available in the following formats:

* Web-based and on-site
** Web-based and/or compressed weekend
*** On-site only

Please note: All programs of study are subject to change

 

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