Rivier University Online MSN Programs: FNP, Nurse Educator, and Leadership Specializations

Rivier University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nursing Education (NE), and Leadership in Health Systems Management tracks.

Students in the FNP program come to the Nashua, New Hampshire campus for a 1-week immersion and two, two-day immersions throughout the program. The other programs do not require campus visits. All course delivery is online, and clinical preceptorships are completed local to the student, when applicable.

The MSN-FNP program comprises 43 credits plus 600 clinical hours, the MSN Nursing Education program comprises 36 credits plus 300 practicum hours, and the Leadership in Health Systems Management MSN program comprises 36 credits plus 240 practicum hours.

FNPs serve populations across the lifespan and collaborate with care teams to improve patient health care. Family NPs are trained to assess, evaluate, diagnose, and treat common, chronic, and acute health conditions. They focus on healthcare education and preventive medicine to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Clinicals and future work positions may occur in hospitals, primary care clinics, government facilities, long-term care facilities, and other family practice settings. Graduates of the FNP program are eligible to sit for the national FNP and FNP-BC certification exams through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), respectively.

Nurse educators are trained to teach in all areas of healthcare delivery in clinical or educational settings. The curriculum focuses on technology in nursing education, curriculum development, quality healthcare improvement, evidence-based practice, research, biostatistics, and assessment and evaluation. Clinicals and future employment may occur in higher learning institutions and clinical nursing settings. Graduates of the Nursing Education MSN programs are eligible to take the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam.

The MSN in Leadership in Health Systems Management offers a unique combination of business, nursing, and clinical courses that seek to prepare graduates for leadership and management positions in nursing in healthcare organizations. Business courses cover healthcare finance, administration, risk management, and information systems. Nursing courses cover advanced nursing leadership, quality healthcare improvement, evidence-based practice, biostatistics, advanced health policy, and research.

Graduates of the leadership track may work as health information managers, care coordinators, and nursing administrators, and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Rivier University delivers asynchronous courses through Canvas online Learning Management System (LMS). An Online Learning Orientation and a Canvas orientation self-paced tutorial help acquaint students with the online learning environment. Seven to 14-week courses may include recorded lectures, tutorials, assignments, readings, assessments, document sharing, discussion boards, online chat, and computer-assisted instruction. Students can take advantage of personal advising to reach their academic and career goals and have access to the Academic Support Center, the Career Development Center, the Counseling and Wellness Center, disability services, 24/7 technical support, and library services.

The Rivier nursing programs are designed for working professionals currently holding nursing positions in a clinical setting. No GRE/GMAT is required. The MSN in Nursing Education begins in September, January, and May. All other programs begin in September, October, January, March, May, and July.

Application materials may include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation with specific parameters, a current resume or CV, and a statement of purpose. Prerequisites may be required for the programs.

Core courses for the MSN include Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment; Advanced Pharmacology; Quality Healthcare Improvement; Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare; Biostatistics for the Health Sciences; and Research Capstone Advisement.

MSN – FNP track courses include Advanced Role of the Nurse; Advanced Health Policy; Advanced Family Nursing Theory I-II; Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum I-III and Seminars.

Nursing Education MSN track courses include Curriculum Development in Nursing; Technology in Nursing Education; Introductory Nursing Education Practicum and Seminar; and Advanced Nursing Education Practicum and Seminar.

Leadership in Health Systems Management courses include Healthcare Finance; Healthcare Administration; Healthcare Information Systems; Compliance and Risk Management in Healthcare Settings; Advanced Nursing Leadership I-II; Advanced Nursing Leadership Practicum I-II; Quality Healthcare Improvement; Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare; Research Capstone Advisement; Advanced Health Policy; and Biostatistics for the Health Sciences.

Depending on prior education, students in the MSN programs may need to take nine additional credits before beginning their chosen program.

Rivier University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Students from Alabama, California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming may not be eligible for some programs or tracks. As such, interested professionals should call the Program Director to verify enrollment eligibility. The online MSN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).