Azusa Pacific University and School of Nursing

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive, evangelical, Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles. A leader in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, APU is committed to God First and excellence in higher education. Offering more than 60 areas of undergraduate study, 26 master's degree programs, and 7 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,500 on campus, online, and at seven regional centers across Southern California, APU has been recognized as one of U.S.News & World Report's Best Colleges for six years running and by Princeton Review as one of the Best in the West. APU graduates are known for professional excellence, the highest ethical standards, and their desire to make a difference in the world.

School of Nursing

Consistent with the mission and purpose of the university, the School of Nursing is a Christian community of discipleship, scholarship, and practice. Its purpose is to advance the work of God in the world through nursing education, collaborative projects, and church and community service that encourages those affiliated with the School of Nursing (whether faculty, staff, student, graduate, or colleague) to grow in faith and in the exercise of their gifts for service to God and humanity.

The School of Nursing and its programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

APU's BSN equips students to provide effective, compassionate health care. This is an accredited bachelor of science degree in nursing that can be taken either full- or part-time. The degree provides a solid foundation in pharmacology, health assessment, nutrition, microbiology, human anatomy, organic and biochemistry, and human growth and development. These then provide a framework for advanced study in mental health nursing, restorative nursing, nursing care of the elderly, maternal, newborn, and women's health, nursing care for children and young adults, pathophysiology, case management, and nursing research.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for public health certification. Throughout the degree, students are encouraged to examine the intersection of the Christian faith and their nursing career, their personal spiritual growth, and the concept of spiritual care. Nursing majors leave APU with excellent skills necessary to positively impact patient and family lives.

Accelerated RN to BSN Degree Completion Program

This accelerated 15-month program caters to working health care practitioners who want to develop the professional skills needed to be agents of change in the 21st century. Designed for the adult learner, the program offers flexible class scheduling, accelerated curricula, and a simplified registration process. Eligible students are 23 years of age or older, have earned a minimum of 60 units of transferable credit, and have spent at least one year as a practicing RN.

Students in the program study in a cohort and progress through the entire program together. Classes are offered one evening a week for four hours and courses vary in length from five to ten weeks. Clinical experiences for specific courses are arranged at other times during the week.

The accelerated RN to BSN program is also offered online, giving students access to the same quality curriculum and instruction without the on-campus class requirement. Whether due to professional/personal scheduling conflicts or geographic location, students can accomplish their degree goals through the identical curriculum and cohort model that has been so successful in the traditional classroom format.

LVN to BSN and LVN to RN (30-Unit Option)

Two programs are available to the licensed vocational nurse (LVN): the LVN to BSN, and LVN to RN, both 30-unit options. Licensed vocational nurses are evaluated on an individual basis. Credit is given for general education courses that are transferable. Students choosing the LVN to RN option are admitted as non-degree students.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nationally accredited, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prepares students in advanced theory and practice in a specialized clinical area of nursing. Graduate students are equipped to assume functional, advanced practice roles as clinical nurse specialists, parish nurses, family nurse practitioners, adult nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, or school nurses, and may elect a secondary specialty in administration or education. The combination of theory, research, and professional development also readies graduates for doctoral study in nursing.

Upon completion, students will meet all the requirements to be certified and will be nationally board eligible.

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing must also complete coursework for a specialized clinical area of nursing:

• MSN with Adult Clinical Nursing or Parent-Child Clinical Nursing Specialty
• MSN with Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty
• MSN with Parish Nursing Specialty
• MSN with School Nurse Services Credential
• MSN with Adult Clinical Nursing and Adult Nurse Practitioner Specialties
• MSN with Parent-Child Clinical Nursing and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialties
• MSN with School Nurse Services Credential and Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty
• MSN with School Nurse Services Credential and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty

Second Careers and Nursing (SCAN) Program (Accelerated MSN)

The SCAN program offers an MSN in an accelerated format and is designed for those with non-nursing bachelor's degrees who wish to begin a nursing career. It provides students an intensive three-year sequence of pre- and post-licensure study that enables them to become registered nurses and also leads to the Master of Science in Nursing degree with a clinical specialty. Graduates are eligible for the California RN license and Public Health Nursing Certificate, and certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and/or Nurse Practitioner in California.

For the first five semesters, students take all of the pre-licensure theory and clinical courses and selected graduate nursing courses, followed by an internship, to prepare them to take the RN licensure examination.

After passing the licensure exam, students then take more graduate courses, selecting the nursing specialty practice area they wish to pursue. Upon successful completion of all graduate coursework, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) are both awarded.

Post-Master's Credential Programs

Post-master's credential programs vary in number of units and are available in:

• Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Adult Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Education
• Parent-Child Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Parish Nursing
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing is a research-based program designed to prepare graduates for a lifetime of systematic inquiry and knowledge development. The curriculum integrates a wide body of knowledge in the areas of wellness promotion and health maintenance, and incorporates two main areas of research: health of the family and community and international health. The coursework for the PhD in Nursing consists of 52 units beyond the Master of Science in Nursing, with an additional 12 units allocated for dissertation research.

The program is intended for nurses who hold master's degrees to serve as nurse scholars, educators, and researchers who will contribute to the body of nursing knowledge in order to improve the health of society and prepare the next generation of nurses.

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Azusa Pacific University.