Background
This 42-credit program, with theoretical content and clinical experiences, focuses on health policy, global, immigrant and refugee health, finance and information systems and emergency preparedness.  Graduates are intended to assume leadership roles in program development, administration, consulting, research and practice settings. Work settings include health departments, public and private agencies, faith-based programs, schools and local, state and national and international organizations.  Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam to qualify for the title Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN).

Students in the Community Health program may also elect dual certification as a PHCNS-BC (Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified) if they have completed the requisite course work including separate courses in advanced physical/health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and a minimum of 500 faculty supervised clinical hours.

Aim, Goal and Terminal Objectives of the MSN Program
Aim
The aim of the Master of Science in Nursing Program is to prepare students as advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists or educators.

The purposes of the program are: 

1. To prepare individuals capable of moral and intellectual leadership to provide advanced practice nursing to individuals and populations across the lifespan, and 
2. To develop and extend advanced practice nursing knowledge and skill through the utilization of evidenced-based practice models.

The curriculum at the master's level is also directed toward developing interest and skill in research, commitment to continual personal and professional growth and to providing leadership in the development of advanced practice nursing.

Goal
The Master of Science in Nursing builds upon baccalaureate education in nursing and prepares students for leadership roles in the fields of advanced practice nursing and/or nursing education.

Terminal Objectives
Upon completion of the M.S.N. program, the graduate will have:

1. Acquired advanced knowledge from the sciences and the humanities to support evidence-based advanced practice nursing;
2. Integrated nursing theory as the foundation for advanced practice nursing;
3. Demonstrated expertise in a selected role within a specialized area of advanced practice nursing;
4. Acquired advanced knowledge and skills to use and disseminate the findings of nursing research;
5. Acquired advanced knowledge and skills to effect optimum delivery of health care services;
6. Demonstrated ethical behavior and respect for Judeo-Christian values; and
7. Acquired a foundation for doctoral study.

Tier 1 - Core Courses

Tier 2 courses (select a minimum of 2 courses)
NURS 664 Epidemiology - 3
NURS 909 Quantitative Methods – 3
NURS 610 Advanced Pharmacology – 3
NURS 608 Advanced Pathophysiology – 3

Tier 3 courses (select a minimum of one) - Track Courses
NURS 674 Population Based Program Design and Management – 3
NURS 676 Vulnerable Women/Families in Communities – 3
NURS 684 Global and Refugee Health - 3

Clinical/Practicum Hours – 500
NURS 672 Public/Community Health I (166 hours)
NURS 675 Public/Community Health II (166 hours)
NURS 677 Public/Community Health III (168 hours)

Ethics Requirement
TRS 632 Christian Social Ethics (3)
Other relevant philosophy or ethics courses may be substituted in consultation with the advisor.

Courses in this program were developed through grant-funded program awarded (July,2006) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Nursing to prepare community/public health clinical nurse specialists for immigrant, refugee, and global health.

Advanced Public Health Nurse Role
The Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN) is a registered nurse prepared in a graduate level public/community health nursing program or an accepted equivalent. This nurse has advanced knowledge and proficiency in utilizing public health sciences and skills in the assessment of communities and populations, policy development, program planning, effective communication, and the impact of cultural influences on health. By combining public/community health with nursing theory and research, this nurse's practice considers all influences on the population and community in decision making and outcome evaluation. The APHN is actively engaged in education (e.g. community, staff, students, and colleagues), case management, expert clinical practice, consultation, research, and administration.

For more information, contact Dr. Cindy Grandjean at grandjean@cua.edu.