Master of Science in Nursing
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with four tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Graduate students are prepared to utilize research and provide advanced practice nursing and leadership to the profession.
Program Description
The purpose of the MSN degree program is to prepare professional nursing leaders in advanced specialty areas of nursing. Areas of concentration in this graduate program can be practiced in a variety of health care delivery systems and settings. The program builds upon baccalaureate preparation in nursing and is based on processes of advanced clinical practice; advanced theoretical application; social, economic, and political interpretation; professional role development; and legal and ethical analyses. The program provides the opportunity for students to think and write analytically and theoretically, to strengthen an area of practice, to apply theory to practice, to apply meaning and understanding in practice, and to develop skills of inquiry. Clinical credit hours for each track are on a 1:4 ratio (1 credit = 4 contact hours).
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MSN program will be able to:
- Use best evidence to make patient-centered care decisions.
- Employ information technology to improve population health.
- Apply reflective practice to grow professionally.
- Promote quality and safety within a health system.
MSN Tracks
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
THe Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver psychiatric-mental health care to individuals across the lifespan. Nurse practitioners with this specialty have the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for health promotion, disease prevention, and management of psychiatric, mental health, and behavioral disorders of individuals and families.
Family Nurse Practitioner
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track prepares registered nurses to fulfill the role of a competent health care provider responsible for managing the care of families in the primary care setting. The focus of the FNP track is to provide the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) track prepares nurses to manage adults across the life span that have acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions in acute care settings. Nurse practitioners with this specialty provide care ranging from disease prevention to acute and critical care management, restoring health, and/or providing symptom management.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver primary health care to individuals across the adult lifespan from adolescence through end of life. Nurse practitioners with this specialty have the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic illnesses in adults and older adults.