Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

This program, which offers full and part time opportunities, will lead to a Master of Science in Nursing in one of the fields we are currently offering.  It builds upon the concepts of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is focused on the development of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in adult health concepts, Nurse Educators (NE) and Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP).  The faculty and staff are well known for their ability to provide personal, individualized attention in a caring environment.  Our classes are offered in the evening and generally meet one night a week.  Each class is structured in the same format of 50% in class time and 50% on line time.
We are a small, private college that fosters close relationships between students, faculty, staff and community healthcare providers.  The faculty and staff are well known for their ability to provide personal, individualized attention in a caring environment. 

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a approved by the State of Illinois Board of Education to grant the baccalaureate and masters degrees. The BSN and MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 

 

Clinical Nurse Leader

This generalist master's degree with clinical leadership focus will allow the nurse to work in a variety of settings, with any population.  Master's prepared nurses with a Clinical Leadership focus and national certification:
- Are prepared for clinical leadership in all health care settings
- Are prepared to implement outcomes-based practice and quality improvement strategies
- Will remain in and contribute to the nursing profession, practicing at their full scope of education and ability
- Will create and manage the care environment that will be responsive to the healthcare needs of individuals and families

The CNL is an advanced nursing role, but not defined as an advanced practice nurse (APN) as the APN is currently define.  The CNL is an advanced generalist with a clinical leadership focus, able to work with any population in any setting.  In contrast with the specialized focus of the practice (specific patient population) by clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and nurse practitioner.  The CNL is a collaborative role complementing both the CNS and nurse practitioner roles.

For more information on CNL click here

 

Clinical Nurse Specialist 

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are clinical experts in evidence based nursing practice within a specialty area, treating and managing the health concerns of patients and populations.  These clinicians are experts in evidence based nursing and practice in a range of specialty areas.  A Saint Anthony College of Nursing CNS graduate will have prescriptive authority which allows them to provide pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments and order diagnostic and laboratory tests and address and manage specialty health problems of patients and populations.  These clinicians greatly influence outcomes by providing expert consultation to all care providers and by implementing improvements in health care delivery systems.  The curriculum follows the competencies delineated in the AACN {http://www.aacn.nche.edu/} (2011) Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing {http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/essential-series}.  CNS graduates will meet the academic requirements to take the CNS national certification examination by the American Nurse’s Credentialing Center (ANCC). {http://www.nursecredentialing.org/}

 

Nurse Educators 

Nurse Educators (NE) combine clinical expertise and a passion for teaching and are responsible for preparing and mentoring current and future generations of nurses.  These educators are responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating and revising academic and continuing education programs for nurses.  They are critical players in assuring quality educational experiences that prepare the nursing workforce for a diverse, ever-changing health care environment.  Those who practice in academic settings also need to be able to anticipate the role of the nurse in the future and adapt curriculum and teaching methods in response to innovations in nursing science and ongoing changes in the practice environment.  Saint Anthony College of Nursing graduate will be able to teach on a rural, suburban or urban campus; at a major private university or local community college; as part of a certificate program in a teaching hospital; or as a research coordinator.  The curriculum follows the competencies delineated in the National League for Nursing (NLN) Competencies for Nursing Education {http://www.nln.org/facultyprograms/competencies/index.htm}.  NE graduates will meet the academic requirements to take the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator Examination {http://www.nln.org/facultycertification/index.htm}.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) graduates will be prepared to provide primary health care to mothers, infants, children, adults and geriatric patients in a variety of settings.  As an FNP you will have the ability to diagnose disease and order a course of treatment, manage chronic disease, order and evaluate diagnostic tests on patients, prescribe medications as needed for treatment, order physical therapy and other rehabilitation, conduct physical exams and educate patients about healthy behaviors.  You will be able to work in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals and health service groups.  The FNP curriculum focuses on health promotion, injury and illness prevention, and assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment, and monitoring of common acute and chronic health problems and follows the guidelines of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) {http://www.nonpf.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=14}, the national Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN ) and the American Association of Nursing Colleges (AANC) {http://www.aacn.nche.edu/}.  Fnp Graduates will be eligible to take the national certification examinations and apply for state licensure as an advanced practice nurse.

All three specialty tracks include a minimum of 500 hours of track-specific clinical and laboratory experiences.  Variable practicum credits may be distributed over several semesters.  Students will have the option of completing a capstone project or master's thesis.