Nursing

Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this innovative online program enables you to earn your degree in as little as 24 months.

Developed to address growing needs in nursing education, leadership, and practice, this degree brings an analytical, thoughtful approach to the different roles nurses play within today’s complex healthcare systems. The MSN degree will prepare you to face the complex challenges in healthcare today.

Approval


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) require that the Board of Registration in Nursing review annually, each nursing program in the Commonwealth for compliance with the Board’s Regulations. The Division of Nursing has received approval status annually from the Board of Registration in Nursing since 1982.

Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Professions Licensure
Board of Registration in Nursing
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619
Web: http://www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn
Blog: http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us
Email:  nursing.admin@state.ma.us

 

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at American International College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The post-graduate APRN certificate program at American International College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). The accreditation decision was made by the CCNE Board of Commissioners during its April 25-28, 2023 meeting, and the effective date of accreditation is October 5, 2022.

 

If you have any program related questions, please contact:

Director of Nursing
Ellen Furman
Ellen.Furman@aic.edu
413.205.3561

Clink link for access to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN):

https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm

Click link for access to State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA):

https://nc-sara.org/guide/state-search

Program Goals for Nursing MSN

  • Provide educational access to geographically dispersed students through innovative programs and evolving technologies
  • Integrate nursing knowledge with a blend of liberal education in the arts and sciences
  • Promote an educational environment that promotes critical reflection, collaboration, professionalism, and lifelong learning
  • Develop inquiring scholars who think critically and independently and seek their own direction in the acquisition of knowledge
  • Develop leaders who will apply research and new knowledge to the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative nursing practice and /or nursing education.

Program Outcomes for Nursing MSN

  • Apply knowledge gained from theoretical and empirical knowledge in nursing and related disciplines to inform and/or initiate change in nursing education, nursing administration, and advanced practice nursing.
  • Demonstrate the use of scholarly inquiry to inform educational, administrative, and advanced nursing practices.
  • Apply ethical decision-making in research, evaluation, nursing education, nursing management, and advanced nursing practice.
  • Analyze the effect of health policy, finance, healthcare technologies, and organizational structure on the development and implementation of quality educational programs and healthcare delivery systems.
  • Demonstrate the use of leadership strategies that advance the design and implementation of quality education programs and improve clinical practice.
  • Analyze the effect of sociopolitical and cultural influences on nursing education and healthcare practices.
  • Integrate advances in healthcare technology into nursing education and healthcare.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing personal and advanced professional development through professional involvement, lifelong learning, and understanding of doctoral study.
  • Apply leadership strategies to contribute to the ongoing development of the profession of nursing and nursing education.

 

Choose one of three concentrations.

AIC’s Master of Science in Nursing program prepares RNs for career advancement in three areas: Nursing Educator, Nursing Administration, and Family Nurse Practitioner. Click on the links below to learn more about each concentration.

Nursing Administrator Concentration

The administration track focuses on strengthening management skills and qualifies graduates for nursing management roles within healthcare institutions. While building on the core concern of nursing with patient care, students learn to support and guide other healthcare professionals as valuable resources and to pursue and reach broader administrative goals.

Nursing Educator Concentration

The educator track prepares students to create and implement curricula to more effectively teach future nurses, either in a classroom or leading a practicum. Students will develop the skills necessary to successfully share their own knowledge and clinical experience with student nurses, and help them build their own.

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

The family nurse practitioner track is designed to prepare RNs for advanced practice in nursing including diagnosing and managing health problems and providing the full spectrum of healthcare services. This program is also available online.

Post Master’s Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration

The post master’s certificate family nurse practitioner track is designed to prepare RNs for advanced practice in nursing including diagnosing and managing health problems and providing the full spectrum of healthcare services. This program is also available online.

Out-of-State Notice

While students enrolled in AIC’s MSN programs are able to engage in clinical internships in the State of Texas, AIC does not maintain a physical presence in Texas and is therefore not regulated under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code.

The demand for qualified healthcare professionals increases every year. With a nursing degree from AIC, your career choices are virtually limitless, and your preparation will give you a real edge in the job market.

—Dr. Ellen Furman, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, Director of Nursing

What You'll Learn

Successful candidates will learn how to apply knowledge of advances in technology, ethical decision making, and scholarly inquiry to inform and/or initiate change in the profession of nursing.

Future Studies

AIC’s MSN program prepares successful candidates to advance their personal and professional development through professional involvement, and lifelong learning.

Career Opportunities

Successful candidates will develop the necessary knowledge and skills to assume advanced roles in nursing education, nursing administration, and advanced practice nursing.

Please select the MSN curriculum from the list below.

Nursing Administration Concentration

Core Courses

Year 1

Fall

  • NUR5040: The Art and Science of Advanced Nursing (3)
  • NUR5041: Seminar in Nursing Research (3)

Spring

  • NUR5042: Policy, Politics, and Organization of Healthcare (3)
  • NUR6040: Advanced Concepts of Pathophysiology (3)

Summer

  • NUR6041: Advanced Concepts of Pharmacology (3)
  • NUR6042: Advanced Concepts of Health Assessment (3)

Specialty Courses

Year 2

Fall

  • NUR6142: Nursing Leadership and Management (4)
  • NUR6143: Concepts and Elements of Core Measures (3)

Spring

  • NUR6249: Nursing Administration Practicum I (4)
  • NUR6250: Nursing Administration Practicum II (4)

Summer

  • NUR5412: Professional Writing for Nurses (3)

Total Credits: 36

Nursing Education Concentration

Core Courses

Year 1

Fall

  • NUR5040: The Art and Science of Advanced Nursing (3)
  • NUR5041: Seminar in Nursing Research (3)

Spring

  • NUR5042: Policy, Politics, and Organization of Healthcare (3)
  • NUR6040: Advanced Concepts of Pathophysiology (3)

Summer

  • NUR6041: Advanced Concepts of Pharmacology (3)
  • NUR6042: Advanced Concepts of Health Assessment (3)

Specialty Courses

Year 2

Fall

  • NUR6141: Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing Education (4)
  • NUR5140 Evaluating Learning Outcomes (3)

Spring

  • NUR6149: Nursing Education Practicum I (4)
  • NUR6150: Nursing Education Practicum II (4)

Summer

  • NUR5412: Professional Writing for Nurses (3)

Total Credits: 36

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration

Core Courses

Year 1

Fall

  • NUR5040: The Art and Science of Advanced Nursing (3)
  • NUR5041: Seminar in Nursing Research (3)

Spring

  • NUR5042: Policy, Politics, and Organization of Healthcare (3)
  • NUR6040: Advanced Concepts of Pathophysiology (3)

Summer

  • NUR6041: Advanced Concepts of Pharmacology (3)

Specialty Courses

  • NUR6530: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)

Year 2

Fall

  • NUR6042: Advanced Concepts of Health Assessment (3)
  • NUR6510: Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis (3)

Spring

  • NUR6540: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP IA (3)
  • NUR6541: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP IB (3)

Summer

  • NUR6550: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP II A (3)
  • NUR6551: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP II B (3)

Year 3

Fall

  • NUR6560: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP III A (3)
  • NUR6561: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP III B (3)

Spring

  • NUR6520: Advanced Practice Professional Issues and Responsibilities (2)
  • NUR6600: Advanced Practice Capstone I (1)
  • NUR6601: Advanced Practice Capstone II (1)

Total Credits: 46

Post Master’s Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration

NOTE: Advanced Concepts of Pathophysiology, Advanced Concepts in Pharmacology, and Advanced Concepts of Health Assessment must be accepted as transfer credit prior to entry into the Post Master’s Certificate FNP Program.

Year 1

Summer

  • NUR6530: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)

Fall

  • NUR6510: Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis (3)

Spring

  • NUR6540: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP I A (3)
  • NUR6541: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP I B (3)

Year 2

Summer

  • NUR6550: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP II A (3)
  • NUR6551: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP II B (3)

Fall

  • NUR6560: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP III A (3)
  • NUR6561: Primary Care Clinical Management: FNP III B (3)

Spring

  • NUR6520: Advanced Practice Professional Issues and Responsibilities (2)
  • NUR6600: Advanced Practice Capstone I (1)
  • NUR6601: Advanced Practice Capstone II (1)

Total Credits: 28

MSN Core Courses

Nursing knowledge development, worldview and competencies of the advanced practice nurse are examined. The focus of this course is professional practice development, communication, leadership, team building and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Evidenced based practice and clinical reasoning are explored. Problem identification, problem solving, ethical standards and principles of research are the focus of a research proposal. Dissemination of research and translational research are analyzed for interdisciplinary practice.

Quality improvement, standards of care, health care policy, and organizational science, are topics of this course. Information technology and trends of healthcare are examined. Legal and economic challenges of advanced practice nursing are incorporated.

Principles of pathophysiology including biopsychosocial science and genomics are the focus of this course. Nursing’s role in management of chronic and acute adult onset illnesses is examined.

Pharmacological management of adult/child onset acute and chronic illness is the focus of this course. Principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics will be examined. Cultural beliefs and practices for adult onset illnesses related to medication management are analyzed.

Health assessment of individuals and families are explored from the perspective of client-centered care, safety, cultural diversity, genomics, and biopsychosocial principles. Laboratory practice is required.

Nursing Administration Concentration Specialty Courses

This course focuses on the leadership and management competencies needed to effectively lead strategic planning, conduct trend analysis and manage fiscal and human resources. Elements and processes of outcome measurements are explored.

This course focuses on the knowledge and tools to support, promote, and implement change leading to improvements in patient and health system outcomes. Students will be introduced to concepts and theories of quality measurement and best practices including application to Deming’s Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method of continuous quality improvement.

Clinical practicum practice in nursing administration is the focus of this course. Students are mentored in a nursing administrative practice with a Master’s prepared nurse. A practicum project presentation is required.

Clinical practicum practice in nursing administration is the focus of this course. Students are mentored in a nursing administrative practice with a Master’s prepared nurse. A practicum project presentation is required.

This course explores essential writing skills for professional nurses. Grant application and papers for submission as publications are the focus of this course. Components of the course include: clear exposition, persuasive argument, effective synthesis and mastery of writing mechanics including APA format.

Nursing Education Concentration Specialty Courses

The aim of this course is to prepare nurse educators to evaluate student progress in achieving course objectives. Course content includes evaluation of learning in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains. Construction of test items based on course blueprints, use of rubrics, and clinical evaluation are included topics. Objective evaluation and student feedback are discussed as critical legal and ethical standards for nurse educators.

Principles of evidence – based nursing education for pre-licensure nursing students are the focus of this course. Classroom and clinical teaching is emphasized. Evaluation of student learning outcomes is included.

Clinical practicum practice in nursing education is the focus of this course. Students begin their own reflective nursing education practice with the guidance of a mentor. A practicum project presentation is required.

Clinical practicum practice in nursing education is the focus of this course. Students continue their own reflective nursing education practice with the guidance of a mentor. A practicum project presentation is required.

This course explores essential writing skills for professional nurses. Grant application and papers for submission as publications are the focus of this course. Components of the course include: clear exposition, persuasive argument, effective synthesis and mastery of writing mechanics including APA format.

FNP Track /Post Master’s Certificate FNP Concentration Specialty Courses

Focuses on health assessment knowledge and skills needed by advanced practice nurses. The diagnostic reasoning skills needed for clinical reasoning in the advanced practice role are emphasized. Includes a clinical component to continue to develop and refine comprehensive health assessment skills.

The role of the advanced practice nurse (APRN) and the concepts of primary care within a contemporary health care system will be explored. Issues related to the role of the APRN, regulation affecting practice, interprofessional collaboration, accountability and outcomes relevant to the APRN practice will be examined.

This course is designed to prepare advance practice nurses (APRN) to accurately describe, administer, and counsel patients regarding appropriate and safe medication regimens. In addition APRN students will be prepared medication prescriptive authority within their scope of practice. Basic pharmacologic principles and the pharmacologic actions of the major drug classes will be discussed in relation to physiologic systems, with emphasis on the application of these agents.

First in a series of six clinical management courses for nurse practitioners. Focus of course is on application of advanced pathophysiology concepts and clinical decision making skills to interpret assessment data and develop diagnoses and treatment plans in primary care of adults. The integration of research and evidence-based practice, teaching/health promotion, and consultation skills within the context of collaborative practice are emphasized.

Second in a series of six clinical management courses for nurse practitioners.

Focus of course is on application of advanced pathophysiology concepts and clinical decision making skills to interpret assessment data and develop diagnoses and treatment plans in primary care of adults. The integration of research and evidence-based practice, teaching/health promotion, and consultation skills within the context of collaborative practice are emphasized.

Third in a series of six clinical management courses for nurse practitioners.

Focus is on the delivery of care to clients and their families experiencing acute and chronic health problems. Continued emphasis on collaboration with the health care team in the implementation and the evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions used in the care of patients across the lifespan. Effective use of skills required for clinical management, education, consultation, referral, and follow-up are emphasized. Therapeutic interventions based upon evidenced-based research are integrated along with complementary and alternative healing approaches appropriate for individuals and their families with health care problems.

Fourth in a series of six clinical management courses for nurse practitioners.

Focus is on the delivery of care to women and their families experiencing acute and chronic health problems. Continued emphasis on collaboration with the health care team in the implementation and the evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions used in the care of women. Effective use of skills required for clinical management, education, consultation, referral and follow-up are emphasized. Therapeutic interventions based upon evidenced-based research are integrated along with complementary and alternative healing approaches appropriate for women and their families with health care problems.

Fifth in a series of six clinical management courses for nurse practitioners

Opportunity to further develop leadership, research, teaching and consultation skills as a basis for advanced clinical practice. Practice issues are explored within the context of ethical and effective use of resources for beginning autonomous practice. Course focuses on the management of complex health issues experienced by older adults.

Last in a series of six clinical management courses for nurse practitioner.

Opportunity to further develop leadership, research, teaching and consultation skills as a basis for advanced clinical practice. Practice issues are explored within the context of ethical and effective use of resources for beginning autonomous practice. Course focuses on the management of complex health issues experienced by clients across the lifespan. Theoretical concepts of organizational systems and health care politics and policy are applied to the advanced practice setting to identify and solve complex health and systems problems.

This course is a capstone experience in which the family nurse practitioner students continue to develop knowledge and expertise in the role as a primary care provider. Autonomy in clinical decision-making is emphasized. Family nurse practitioner students increase their levels of responsibility for independent client and family management in health promotion and disease prevention.

This course is the completion of a capstone experience in which the family nurse practitioner students continue to develop knowledge and expertise in the role as a primary care provider. Autonomy in clinical decision-making is emphasized. Family nurse practitioner students increase their levels of responsibility for independent client and family management in health promotion and disease prevention.

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