Regis College – Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

The Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing at Regis College offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner concentration with three entry points: BSN to MSN, non-nursing BS to MSN, and ADN to MSN (also called RN to MSN). Specializations include Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

The online MSN focuses on the central concepts of nursing which are: health; environment; the person, which includes individuals, families, and communities; and nursing, which explores health, environment, and the person. The program promotes the art of caring through teaching, leadership, research, advocacy, and prevention. The curriculum focuses on a holistic approach to the individual and promotes self-evaluation and feedback from faculty and peers, as well as an environment of mutual understanding, respect, and open communication.

The BSN to MSN is designed for nurses with an RN license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program comprises 46 credits for all NP specializations, except PMHNP which comprises 49 credits. The online BSN to MSN can be completed in as little as two years taking two courses per semester.

The BS to MSN is designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The program consists of 61 credits for all NP specializations except PMHNP which consists of 64 credits. The online BS to MSN can be completed in about 2.5 to three years.

Finally, the RN to MSN is designed for nurses with a current RN license and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN). The program comprises a total of 146 credits for all NP specializations except PMHNP which comprises 149 credits. Students in this track earn both a BSN and MSN degree. RNs can transfer in previous credits reducing the degree requirements to approximately 86 to 89 credits. The online RN to MSN can be completed in about three years.

All program entry points can be completed both part-time or full-time and courses are 100% online with no campus visits required. Students must complete the required clinical hours for designated courses. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to sit for their specific nursing certification exams.

Regis College delivers asynchronous courses through the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS). Lectures, assignments, and assessments are all found online and students participate in discussion boards online. Note that not all Regis College online classes use Blackboard. RegisAccess gives students access to syllabi, class schedules, grades, and financial aid. Students can also use the SmartThinking 24-hour online tutoring service and have access to round the clock technical support.

Courses for the online MSN may include Health Assessment; Evidence for Nursing Practice; Community-Based Nursing (includes 60 clinical hours); Nursing Theory; Concepts in Nursing Leadership; Health Promotion-Disease Prevention; Advanced Nursing Research; Roles and Issues for Advanced Practice Nursing; and Health Policy, Politics, and Perspectives.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners serve clients from birth to age 21 with their health as well as biopsychosocial needs. PNP courses include Primary Care of the Child I and II, which include 600 hours of clinicals; and Complementary Therapy or one of three electives.

Family Nurse Practitioners serve clients throughout the whole life cycle including children, youth, adults, geriatric patients, and women in primary care settings. FNP courses include Primary Care of the Family I and II, which include 600 hours of clinicals; and Complementary Therapy or one of three electives.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners serve women from adolescence through geriatrics in a variety of healthcare settings. WHNP courses include Primary Care of Women I and II, which include 600 hours of clinicals; and Care of Childbearing Women.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners serve clients from young adults to geriatrics in primary care and other healthcare settings. AGPCNP courses include Primary Care of the Adult-Geriatric Client I-II which include 600 hours of clinicals; and Sociological, Political, and Economic Perspectives in Aging.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners serve clients across the life span in various settings, addressing psychiatric disorders through diagnosis and management. PMHNP courses include Primary Care of the Psychiatric Mental Health Client I and II, which include 600 hours of clinicals; Theory and Practice of Contemporary Psychotherapies; and Advanced Psychopharmacology.

Regis College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The MSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).