Curriculum & In-Person Experiences Nursing@Simmons

The Nursing@Simmons curriculum is designed to prepare licensed registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree to become clinical experts who are able to serve the holistic needs of their patients and meet the challenges that are presented in today’s primary care settings.

The academically rigorous curriculum focuses on developing evidence-based Nurse Practitioner skills and a strong background in conducting research, enabling you to immediately apply what you learn in your current role. Coursework focuses on promoting health and well-being, as well as assessing, preventing, and managing chronic illness and disease.

Program Requirements

Nursing@Simmons students will complete 48 course credits and a minimum of 672 clinical hours. Full-time students complete the program over a period of six terms. Part-time students complete the program over a period of seven terms. Extended students complete the program over a period of eight terms. For all students, each term lasts 14 weeks.

The full-time program can be completed in as few as 24 months. The part-time program can be completed in as few as 28 months. The extended program can be completed in as few as 32 months.

Curriculum Components

Learn more about what you need to be successful in Nursing@Simmons and how building both evidence-based skills and conducting research will prepare you for clinical practice.

Prerequisite Skills

To be a successful Nursing@Simmons student, you should already have experience and knowledge in the following areas prior to beginning the program:

Microbiology and biology, 
anatomy and physiology, 
and chemistry

Arithmetic, statistics,
and interpreting quantitative
research

Fundamentals of nursing, 
human health and function, 
and patient assessment

Time management and organization, 
self-discipline, 
and self-motivation

Foundational Courses

As a Nursing@Simmons student, you will use case study analysis to gain a thorough understanding of primary care issues across the life span.

The foundational courses will help you think critically and act like an advanced practice nurse. You will take courses focused on pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment, which will require knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology. You will learn about which medications to prescribe and why, and you will perform a live physical assessment to demonstrate your skills.

Research Project

In addition to building foundational knowledge, you will work on a scholarly research project that will teach you how to conduct qualitative and quantitative research. The research component of the program fosters your ability to apply critical thinking by having you critique qualitative and quantitative interdisciplinary studies. This will help you to better answer questions from patients.

You can select to do one of the following for your project:

  • A quality improvement proposal
  • A critique of existing medical literature
  • Your own research, approved by the Simmons Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Through close collaboration with Simmons faculty and classmates, the research project is a great networking opportunity and sets Simmons’ program apart from those that have discontinued this key component.

Clinical Practice

Clinical courses help you think and perform as an FNP. During clinical rotations, you will practice the skills you have learned throughout the foundational and research courses while providing acute and chronic care across diverse populations.

In addition to learning to conduct a head-to-toe physical examination, you will:

  • Advance your knowledge of prescribing medications
  • Improve your communication skills
  • Become familiar with diagnosing acute and chronic illnesses
  • Turn to resources to develop plans and follow-ups for patients
  • Understand the synthesis of various medications

Request more information about Nursing@Simmons or speak with an Admission Counselor at Phone Number: 1-855-461-7466.