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Master’s Program 59adult advanced practice nursing specialtyDeborah A. Chyun,Director, Adult AdvancedPractice Nursing SpecialtyThe Adult Advanced Practice Nursing curriculum isdesigned to prepare advanced practice nurses as clinicalnurse specialists (cardiovascular or oncology), and acute careor oncology nurse practitioners. In-depth knowledge of aspecialty area enables the advanced practice nurse to managecollaboratively the care for patients in a variety of settings:acute care, critical care, intermediate care, long-term care,ambulatory care, and home care. Specialization also providesthe opportunity to deliver continuity of care throughassessment, teaching, case management, and evaluation.The scope of advanced practice is further enhanced by theability to identify the need for and to participate in thedevelopment of clinical nursing research. The uniqueness ofthe curriculum lies in its emphasis on the development ofclinical expertise based on an understanding of nursing practice,research, and theory. The curriculum aims to prepare leaders who will improve clinicalpractice, apply new knowledge, and further the goals of the nursing profession. Thestudent elects the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or OncologyNurse Practitioner track.Acute Care Nurse Practitioner TrackThe purpose of this track is to prepare acute care nurse practitioners to assess andmanage collaboratively the needs of patients who are acutely and critically ill across thefull continuum of acute care services . The core body of knowledge provided in the trackis derived from the full spectrum of high-acuity patient care needs. Courses are takenfrom both the Adult Advanced Practice Nursing specialty and the Adult, Family, Gerontological,and Women’s Health Primary Care specialty. On completion of the Acute CareNurse Practitioner track, students are eligible for Acute Care Nurse PractitionerCertification through the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.In the first year of study, the focus is on history taking, physical assessment, differentialdiagnosis, diagnostic testing, and management of patients. Courses in assessing the acutelyill individual, diagnostic reasoning, nursing theory, research, and statistics are also featuredin the first year. Clinical conferences focus on the diagnosis and management of problemsseen in acutely ill patients.During the final year of study, emphasis is placed on the differential diagnosis andmanagement of complex problems seen in the acutely ill patient population. Courses alsoinclude content on pharmacology, health promotion, acute and chronic disease management,and the role of the nurse practitioner. Clinical placement sites expose the studentto a variety of acute care settings and patient populations. Clinical conferences focus onthe diagnosis and management of complex acute care problems.