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Description of Program Offerings
Nursing Management Leadership (NML)
Child & Family or Medical-Surgical
This program is a 45 credit hour, predominantly online, course of study designed to provide the baccalaureate prepared nurse with current advanced knowledge and skills in child and family or medical-surgical nursing.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Educator
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers a 45 credit hour program of study designed to provide the baccalaureate professional nurse with current advanced knowledge and skills in Medical-Surgical Nursing or Child and Family Nursing with an option for either clinical practice or education. Graduate students who select the nursing clinician option will be prepared to assume leadership roles in an integrated healthcare system and will be able to develop, implement, and evaluate programs for targeted populations in a variety of settings. Graduate students who select the nursing educator option will be prepared to design and use multiple educational delivery systems and teaching strategies and develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum that will prepare nurses who are responsive to current and future healthcare systems. The program prepares graduates in scientific inquiry, which includes validating and applying research findings to nursing practice, and evaluating nursing theory appropriate for advanced practice. This option offers an Accelerated Pathway to the MSN for RN's with a Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degree.
Upon successful completion of this program of study, the graduate may either take a national certification examination to become a certified clinical specialist or practice as a master's prepared nurse. Graduates choosing to use the title Advanced Practice Nurse, are required to take the national certification examination and apply to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations for licensure to practice in Illinois.
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
The College offers a Master of Science in Nursing with the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) option. The program is a 35 credit hour course of study designed to provide the baccalaureate prepared nurse with and in-depth study as a leader in an integrated healthcare system. The CNL student will select the Medical-Surgical or Child and Family program option for the focus of study.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
The college offers a Master of Science in Nursing with the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) option. This program is a 43 credit hour course of study designed to provide the baccalaureate prepared nurse with an in-depth focus on health management of the acutely and critically ill neonate and their family through their studies in research, theory, cultural diversity, health policy, ethics and leadership related to the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse.
Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate will be eligible to sit for national Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by the National Certification Corporation. Following successful certification the graduate applies to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse for practice in Illinois.
Nursing Management Leadership (NML)
The Nursing Management Leadership (NML) option is a 33 credit hour program that prepares the baccalaureate professional nurse for a variety of nursing leadership management positions. Graduate students who choose the Nursing Management Leadership option will be prepared to assume leadership and management roles in an integrated healthcare system and to develop, implement, and evaluate programs for targeted populations in a variety of settings. This program option is designed to enable the graduate to envision a broadened career perspective, and encourages and enhances focused research and development efforts related to nursing leadership. This option provides broad administrative, leadership and management clinical learning experiences that emphasize depth and breadth in applying new knowledge as a healthcare leader. Effective Nurse in Administrative roles: Employ management skills that facilitate collaborative relationships Select and use advanced analytic, problem solving and communication skills Using information and community partners Advocate for consumers and community partners Embrace change and manage it effectively. Upon completion of this Master of Science in Nursing degree, graduate may qualify for the Advanced Nurse Executive certification exam.
Accelerated Pathway for RN
with non-nursing baccalaureate degree
This program is a 45 credit hour course of study with an accelerated option for RN's who hold either an associate degree or a diploma, and have a bachelors degree in a discipline other than nursing from an accredited college or university and have considerable nursing experience and outstanding academic histories.
Post Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate
Description: Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing provides both a 9 and 15 hour post graduate nurse educator certificate offering for those who currently have a Masters Degree and would wish to acquire a Nursing Education Certificate. Students may take selected courses to fit their needs without pursuing a certificate. Students may enroll in 532, 536 and 540 and/or 600 the practicum.
Graduate students who enroll in the nursing educator post graduate certificate option will be prepared to design and use multiple educational delivery systems and teaching strategies to develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum that will prepare nurses who are responsive to current and future healthcare systems. This option is designed to prepare nurse educators with teaching strategies for nursing education, service and clinical practice. The educator courses are online and the student learns design and curriculum development.
Post Graduate Nurse Clinician Certificate
Description: The 15 hour post graduate nursing clinician certificate requires the student to complete the 3 courses for Medical-Surgical (521, 525 and 529. 521 and 529 each have 64 practicum hours) or the 3 courses for Child and Family (523, 527, and 529. 523 and 529 each have 64 practicum hours) plus the 610 practicum course. This would give the post graduate student a total of 512 practicum hours. Applicants are required to have a current RN license and show evidence of graduation from an accredited Masters in Nursing program.
