Advanced practice leading the way: The MSN program

By Andrea Knopp

Above: FNP students practice skills during a suturing seminar.

Advanced Nursing Practice at JMU was envisioned by Merle Mast in 2004. The first adult Nurse Practitioner (NP) program launched as a result of the healthcare provider shortage. As the program grew, new concentrations were added to include family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology nurse practitioner and, in collaboration with Shenandoah University, nurse midwifery and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs.

The nurse practitioner tracks continue to multiply with applicants. The MSN programs expanded in 2013 to include two leadership-focused tracks: the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and the Nurse Administrator. The leadership tracks are online programs. Enrollment in the leadership program continues to thrive along with a growing national presence. All programs have excellent certification pass rates and propel nursing as a profession to practice at the highest level of licensure. JMU MSN alumni are members of local, state and national communities. They are committed to the improvement of health outcomes across a diverse spectrum of care. Today, JMU MSN alumni are serving as leaders in hospital systems, providing healthcare to individuals living in rural communities,

opening their own independent nurse-managed clinics and advocating for policy changes to improve outcomes for patients nationally.

All of the MSN program concentrations share a commitment to provide high quality healthcare to populations locally, nationally and internationally. Students have the opportunity to have study abroad experiences in the Caribbean, Europe and East Africa. These experiences build on James Madison University’s mission to promote engaged learning, civic engagement and community engagement, as well as highlight CHBS’ mission of “learning, scholarship and service in health and behavioral studies to inspire responsible contributions to our world.”