Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (MSN) Program

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) cognate is designed for students who wish to practice as primary care nurse practitioners with adult and older adult populations. Graduates of the MSN program are prepared with additional knowledge and clinical expertise that builds on baccalaureate nursing practice.

Program Overview

• The MSN program at Colorado Mesa University is based on the Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education and the Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education.
• The program is delivered via an online format, providing flexibility for students to remain in their home communities.
• However, students may need to travel for clinical rotations or focused intensive sessions during the program.
• Graduates of the AGNP program are prepared for an advanced practice role as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.

Program Requirements

• The program consists of 46 credit hours.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 750 clinical hours.
• Students are expected to participate in objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) each semester.
• Admission to the Graduate Nursing Program follows general admission policies and procedures for graduate programs outlined in the university catalog.
• A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university is required, prior to beginning the program.
• Applicants must have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in baccalaureate nursing coursework.
• Applicants must hold a current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in their state of practice.

Institutional Graduate Degree Requirements

• Graduate certificates consist of a minimum of 5 credit hours.
• Master's degrees consist of a minimum of 30 credit hours.
• Doctoral degrees consist of a minimum of 60 credit hours.
• All credits in a graduate program must be minimally at the 500-level.
• At least fifty percent of the credit hours must be taken at CMU.
• Students must achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
• Students may not apply coursework with a grade lower than a "B" toward graduation requirements.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

The MSN in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner degree requires 46 semester hours. The course list includes:

• Required Core Courses:
  • NURS 500: Theoretical Foundations
  • NURS 501: Evidence-Based Practice
  • NURS 525: Advanced Pathophysiology
  • NURS 526: Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing
  • NURS 527: Advanced Health Assessment
  • NURS 535: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • NURS 536: Leading Through Quality, Policy, and Ethics
  • NURS 577: Clinical Practicum: Advanced Health Assessment
• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Cognate:
  • NURS 586: Clinical Practicum: Procedures and Diagnostic Testing
  • NURS 600: Advanced Practice Nursing Issues
  • NURS 597: Clinical Practicum: Congregate Care of Adults & Older Persons
  • NURS 575: Capstone Project
  • NURS 602: Primary Care of the Adult
  • NURS 603: Primary Care of the Older Person
  • NURS 604: Primary Care of Rural and Underserved Populations
  • NURS 605: Mental and Behavioral Health
  • NURS 615: Clinical Practicum: Mental and Behavioral Health
  • NURS 620: Clinical Practicum: Adult
  • NURS 630: Clinical Practicum: Older Person
  • NURS 640: Clinical Practicum Capstone: Primary Care of Rural and Underserved Populations

Student Learning Outcomes

All CMU masters-level graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, information literacy, and ethical reasoning. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, a graduate of this program will be able to:

1. Discover nursing leadership skills and behaviors for communication and interprofessional collaboration.
2. Analyze quality improvement initiatives to generate or evaluate data for the practice environment.
3. Utilize information literacy for interprofessional collaboration, learning, and practice.
4. Evaluate legal, ethical, and regulatory processes that impact professional nursing practice.
5. Create culturally relevant evidence-based health policy strategies for individual and aggregate populations.
6. Synthesize nursing and related sciences for applied learning across diverse populations.

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and discussing the suggested course sequencing. DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone, which is the official record used by the Registrar's Office to evaluate progress towards a certificate and determine eligibility for graduation.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

• Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
• Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed.
• Submit the "Intent to Graduate" form to the Registrar's Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
• Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Colorado Mesa University

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Overview:

Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a public university located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online courses and programs. CMU is known for its affordable tuition, small class sizes, and strong emphasis on hands-on learning.

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Services Offered:

CMU provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Admissions & Costs:

Admissions counseling, application process, financial aid, scholarships, tuition and fee information, and resources for admitted students.

Academics:

Program search, course catalog, degree requirements, graduate studies, online courses, non-credit courses, semester calendars, and academic advising.

Study and Performance Resources:

Library access, study room reservations, textbook purchasing, tutoring services, and transcript requests.

Getting Help:

IRIS (student assistance), accessibility services, career services, IT help desk, university center information, student services, student wellness center, tutoring, faculty contact information, campus office contacts, directory search, and campus maps.

Campus Life:

Dining services, housing and residence life, student life activities, campus safety, parking services, MAVcard campus ID, and resources for current students.

Events:

Calendar of events, performing arts, commencement ceremony, welcome week, homecoming, parents' weekend, student showcase, and event space reservations.

Campus Activities:

Outdoor program, recreation center, NCAA athletics, clubs and organizations, club sports, and intramural sports.

Working Here:

Faculty and staff employment opportunities, student employment, human resources, and payroll.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

CMU offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can participate in a wide range of activities, including:

Outdoor Adventures:

The Outdoor Program provides opportunities for outdoor trips and equipment rentals.

Social Engagement:

Student life offers numerous on-campus activities, clubs, and yearly concerts.

Downtown Exploration:

Grand Junction's historic downtown provides dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordable Education:

CMU offers a quality education at a competitive price, with one of the lowest tuition rates in Colorado.

Small Class Sizes:

Students benefit from personalized attention and close relationships with professors.

Hands-on Learning:

CMU emphasizes practical experience and prepares students for successful careers.

Vibrant Campus Life:

Students can enjoy a diverse range of activities, clubs, and events.

Beautiful Location:

Grand Junction offers a sunny climate and access to outdoor recreation.

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Academic Programs:

CMU offers over 120 academic programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts and Humanities:

Art, Communication, English, History, Music, Theatre, and more.

Business and Technology:

Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Hospitality Management, and more.

Education:

Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and more.

Health Sciences:

Nursing, Health Sciences, and more.

Social Sciences:

Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, and more.

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Other:

CMU has additional locations, including:

CMU Tech:

A technical college offering associate degrees and certificates.

Montrose Campus:

A branch campus offering select undergraduate programs.

CMU also offers online programs through its Distance Education program.