University of Phoenix Nursing School Review
The University of Phoenix (UPX, UoP, UOPX) was founded in 1976 by Dr. John Sperling. He established the university with the mission to provide an educational facility that meets the needs of working adults interested in pursuing higher education.
Today, the university offers programs in more than 200 locations and is popular for its online courses. The College of Nursing is one of its flagship courses with a wide range of degree programs that range from undergraduate, graduate and continued education. The programs offered for each category are as follows:
Undergraduate Course
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing offered by the University of Phoenix is accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The course is firmly grounded on science-based subjects and a hands-on working environment that adequately prepare nurses for the challenges in health care. LPNs/LVNs and RNs that want to advance their studies in nursing will find this course of particular interest. They can choose between the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN to BSN) or the Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN/LVN to BSN) program. Upon successful completion of the course, students can sit the National Council Licensure Examinations before they undertake an active role as a nurse.
1) Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN/LVN): This course covers courses that take into consideration the transitions between the roles and knowledge of a practical nurse to a professional nurse. Students are taught about the essence of critical thinking, advanced role functions and evidence-based practice.
2) Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN): After successful completion of this course, students are able to undertake more demanding roles and not just comprehensive patient care. You’ll also develop the professional skills and knowledge of registered nurses. Both liberal arts and science subjects form the curriculum with the intent of shaping nurses that are better prepared for the challenges of the health care sector. Key focus areas in the course include family and community health assessment. The course is credited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Graduate Courses
Master of Science in Nursing
Registered nurses (RNs) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing are eligible to apply for this course. It covers advanced studies in health care and prepares nurses to have strong analytical skills. Some of the courses explored include: nursing roles and theories, educational programs, legal issues and organizational structure. You’ll be able to choose from four focus areas, namely:
1) Master of Science in Nursing/ Nursing and Health Care Education (MSN/ED): This course prepares you to be an effective educator and develop the ability to evaluate instructional strategies. Graduates will be able to share their knowledge with students either at an institution of higher learning or in a hospital setting. The course is designed for registered nurses that have a baccalaureate degree and wish to develop the necessary skills associated with assessment, writing and creating educational programs, and evaluation. Students are taught the essentials that enable them to function in leadership roles in practice or in an educational setting.
2) Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Health Administration (MSN/MHA): Students will be taught the essentials of nursing along with business acumen. The program is designed for those that want to gravitate from patient care to more administrative roles. This is a dual degree program that equips students with the necessary knowledge to make critical decisions in the health care sector. In addition to this, they are exposed to advanced nursing concepts. The course is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
3) Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration/Health Care Management (MSN/MBA/HCM) dual-degree: This course is developed to give RNs advanced nursing skills and to enable them to act in any health care setting while applying traditional business concepts taught throughout the curriculum. Students are prepared to deal with challenges and as such are able to solve organizational problems through analytical thinking and the skills and knowledge groomed during the course. Essentials from both degree programs form the cornerstone of the program.
4) Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP): This course is designed for RNs that still want to continue as nurse practitioners. You’ll be taught about the essentials that are necessary to manage the health of a family. The concepts and knowledge gained will enable you to act in a more advanced role. Preventative care and treatment are some of the areas covered in the course. First students are required to complete courses in advanced nursing and then the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) course.
Nursing Bridge Program
The Nursing Bridge Program is open to students that have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and wish to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. The course is similar to the traditional MSN course, except that you’ll have to complete three bridge courses at the Bachelor of Science in nursing level. Once you’ve successfully completed the course along with the MSN introductory course you can do any of the four courses mentioned above under the master’s section.
Continuing Education
The three continuing education programs offered by the University of Phoenix, namely: nurse education courses, nurse practitioner education courses and nursing management courses. These are non-credit courses that are adapted for working professionals that want to expand on the knowledge they already have. They are also useful ideal for nurses that want to be on par with new developments in the world of nursing.
Contact:
University of Phoenix
1625 W Fountainhead Parkway
Tempe, Arizona 85282-2371
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