Adult nurse practitioners are health care
providers trained to address the physical, mental and emotional needs of
an adult population. They often serve as primary care providers.
Advanced practice nursing typically requires a master's degree;
distance-learning programs combine online didactic coursework with
on-site clinical practice local to the student.
Online Master of Science in Nursing - Adult Nurse Practitioner Program Overview
There are many programs designed for nurses seeking to extend their
scope of practice to include primary health care for adults. To apply,
individuals generally need a bachelor's degree in nursing and 1-2 years
of experience working as a
registered nurse
(RN). Programs require between 45-50 semester-credits of online
coursework, coupled with more than 600 hours of clinical practice.
Full-time students can finish all requirements in 24 months, and
part-time students can take 3-6 years to complete all work.
Distance learners should have an up-to-date computer with a fast
Internet connection and multimedia capabilities. Most lectures and exams
are conducted online using one of several presentation and
communication applications. Students also go online to maintain contact
with faculty, read course materials, conduct research and submit
assignments.
To complete hands-on clinical practice, receive feedback and
sometimes have exams proctored, students must meet up with instructors
and clinical facility staff in their local area. Schools often help
arrange these experiences and introduce preceptors. Some schools require
students to visit the home campus occasionally for seminars or skills
assessment.
Common Adult Nurse Practitioner Courses
All nurse practitioner students learn pathophysiology, health
assessment, health maintenance, research methods and nursing leadership.
Some concentrate on the diagnosis and management of medical issues
specific to the adult population; in these programs, sites chosen for
clinical practice should have a significant adult care component.
Courses include:
Nursing Theory Course
Students examine the philosophical foundations of health care and
compare several approaches to nursing. They also consider the effects of
legislation, politics, economics and health care organizations on
advanced nursing practice.
Clinical Pharmacology Course
Nurse practitioners must understand pharmacological principles in
order to dispense and manage drugs effectively. The basic classes of
drugs are covered, along with their effects upon different body systems.
Students are introduced to research tools for determining drug
interactions, toxicity and contraindications.
Primary Care of the Adult Course
Classwork helps students develop their own knowledge base for
advanced adult primary care. Supervised clinical practice in an adult
care setting reinforces classroom lessons.
Healthcare Research Methods Course
The course presents an overview of common research sources and
strategies for clinical decision-making. Research study methodologies
are compared. Related topics include fundamental statistics, the
responsible use of human subjects and proposal-writing.
Acute and Chronic Care of Adults Course
Working under close supervision, students develop their clinical
skills by working with patients with acute and chronic illnesses.
Clinical situations expose students to culturally diverse clients with a
variety of medical issues.
Career Outlook for Adult Nurse Practitioners
In certain settings, adult nurse practitioners are considered an
economical choice of primary care provider. Employers include hospitals,
private practice, community health centers, nursing schools and
government agencies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects
excellent job opportunities from 2008-2018 for registered nurses,
especially those with advanced degrees (
www.bls.gov). In 2010,
PayScale.com listed the median starting salary for adult nurse practitioners as $79,289.
Graduates of an accredited online adult nurse practitioner master's
degree program are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing
Center certification examination, offered year-round. Certification
lasts for five years, but can be renewed by accumulating continuing
education credits and practice hours.
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