Choose one (1) from EACH category below:
Reflect over the past eight weeks and describe how achieving the course outcomes have prepared
you to meet 1 Program Outcome, 1 MSN Essential and 1 Nurse Practitioner core competency.
Provide a specific example for each category.
MSN Program Outcome
1. Provide high quality, safe, patient-centered care grounded in holistic health principles.
2. Create a caring environment for achieving quality health outcomes.
3. Engage in lifelong personal and professional growth through reflective practice and
appreciation of cultural diversity.
MSN Essential
i. Background for Practice from Science and Humanities
ii. Quality Improvement and Safety
iii. Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
iv. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving Health
Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
a. Scientific Foundation Competencies
These competencies ensure that nurse practitioners graduate with a comprehensive background
in medical sciences. All nurse practitioner students are required to take foundational
pathophysiology and pharmacology, but depending on their specialty, they may take additional
courses. Psychiatric nurse practitioners often take courses in neuroscience whereas neonatal
nurse practitioners take courses in neonatology. Scientific core competencies also include
knowledge and understanding of clinical practice guidelines, evidence-based practice,
translational research, and treatment of vulnerable and diverse patient populations.
The scientific foundation core competencies defined by the NONPF include the following:
1. Critically analyzes data and evidence for improving advanced nursing practice.
2. Integrates knowledge from the humanities and sciences within the context of nursing
science.
3. Translates research and other forms of knowledge to improve practice processes and
outcomes.
4. Develops new practice approaches based on the integration of research, theory, and
practice knowledge.
b. Quality Competencies
Quality care, as defined by the NONPF, refers to the degree to which health services increase the
desired health outcomes consistent with professional knowledge and standards. Quality
