Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Nursing

Program Name and Number:  Family Nurse Practitioner – MS1214 (hybrid) & MS1224 (online)

Department/Unit:  School of Nursing

Delivery Mode: Online; Hybrid

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall, Spring, Summer

Program Overview:  The Ohio University School of Nursing promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships and facilitates regional collaboration that will enhance the health of diverse communities.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program consists of both didactic and practice-based or clinical performance courses. The didactic courses present the nursing knowledge, theoretical concepts, models, and research that inform patient care and evidence-based practice. The practice-based courses provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge; practice skills; plan, implement and evaluate interventions and programs; and learn the full scope of the role for which they are preparing.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as a FNP. FNP’s provide primary care services to patients across the lifespan.

Clinical practicum experiences occur in primary care settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 650 direct care hours. The program can be completed in six semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge derived from a scientific foundation and evidence-based practice to demonstrate expertise in advanced nursing practice.
• Analyze health care policies to enhance and improve population health outcomes across diverse clinical practice settings.
• Demonstrate leadership and interprofessional collaboration for improving clinical prevention and health outcomes.
• Synthesize and apply quality improvement strategies to promote positive health outcomes.  
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and confidence for entry-level advanced nursing practice.
• Integrate knowledge and skills related to healthcare informatics in the advanced nursing practice role.

Opportunities for Graduates:  Family Nurse Practitioners are prepared to work collaboratively in diverse primary care settings such as: primary care offices, school-based health clinics, hospice/homecare medical practices, retail health clinics, and community health clinics.

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/family-nurse-practitioner

Link to Program Handbook: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/knowledge-center/graduate/forms-and-resources

Graduation Requirements:

The minimum semester hours required is 41.

• Thesis requirement: No
• Qualifying exam: Yes
• Comprehensive exam: Yes
• Expected time to degree completion for a full time student= 6 semesters

Required Courses:

• NRSE 6010:Theoretical Basis for Practice (3)
• NRSE 6021:Assessment and Intervention in Family Care (3)
• NRSE 6805: Analysis of EBP for the APN (3)
• NRSE 6210: Advanced Pathophysiology in Nursing Practice (3)
• NRSE 6230:Advanced Pharmacology (3)
• NRSE 6221:Health Appraisal for the Nurse Practitioner (3)
• NRSE 6820:Advanced Maternal and Child Care (3)
• NRSE 6821:Primary Care of Adults and Older Adults (3)
• NRSE 6822:Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care Practice (3)
• NRSE 6933:Capstone Experience for NPs (2)

Culminating Experience: The culminating experience for the major includes:

• Capstone Simulation
• Portfolio Evaluation

Admission Requirements: In addition to the standard Graduate College admission requirements, potential MSN students must also supply/document the following:

• Specified health status requirements (immunization status, Tb screening, etc. as delineated in the current MSN Student Handbook)
• Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from regionally accredited institution.
• FBI/BCI background checks free from disqualifying offenses under Senate Bills 38 and 160 (A list of these offenses may be found in the current MSN Student Handbook).
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 for unconditional admission
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the Master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years.
• Residents of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in one of the following states: California, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, or West Virginia.
• An admission interview with faculty, held online through communications programs like adobe connect.

International Students: This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.