2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
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Program director:
Deana Hays
464 O’Dowd Hall
(248) 370-3657
hays@oakland.edu
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Program description
The Master of Science in Nursing degree program prepares professional nurses for advanced nursing practice, leadership in the nursing profession and future doctoral study.
The plan of study for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares the advanced practice nurse as a primary care provider for clients across ages in a variety of settings. The curriculum focuses on culturally sensitive care, incorporating health promotion and management of acute and chronic health problems. The graduate is prepared to apply nursing theory, principles of advanced practice nursing and evidence based practice in the design and delivery of primary care. Knowledge for advanced nursing practice is synthesized from concepts in nursing, as well as the biological and social sciences. Graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to take a Family Nurse Practitioner national certification examination.
Graduate program objectives
In keeping with the philosophy of the School of Nursing, master’s degree graduates achieve the following student learning outcomes:
- Incorporate concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing practice or nursing education
- Provide advanced nursing practice or nursing education in a variety of settings in accordance with standards appropriate to their specialty area
- Qualify to take the certification examination for advanced nursing practice or nursing education.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
- November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
- February 1, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
- June 1, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- October 1, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
- February 1, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
- June 1, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
International applicants: International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.
Special Graduate classification: Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.
University graduate application requirements
- Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- School of Nursing Supplemental Application
- The two recommendations must be from healthcare professionals (prefer letters from nurses in leadership/education) who are able to attest to the applicant’s nursing skills and/or abilities.
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results for those applicants whose undergraduate GPA’s are less than 3.2. If GRE results are necessary but not available, the applicant may be admitted under Special Graduate Status pending test scores.
- Professional Goal statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The goal statement should focus on career goals after completion of the program, how recent clinical experiences have prepared them for advanced practice role, and plans for professional development. The goal statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling and rhetoric.
- Individual interview with a School of Nursing faculty will be scheduled after all admission materials have been submitted.
- Applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or above from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- Applicants must be eligible for a current Registered Nurse license in their state of practice.
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate physical assessment course.
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
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Degree requirements
The Family Nurse Practitioner track is 48 credits including 630 clinical practice hours. The program of study allows full-time students to complete the requirements in two academic years. Part-time students may complete the program in three to six academic years. a. Foundation requirements (16 credits)
Foundation courses address critical content needed by all graduate nursing students. These courses include content on nursing theory, diversity, research, ethics, health policy and roles of advanced practice nursing.
b. Clinical core courses (13 credits)
The clinical core courses provide graduate students with advanced clinical knowledge and skills in pharmacology, assessment, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and advanced nursing interventions.
c. Specialty courses (19 credits)
The specialty courses are comprised of didactic and clinical courses that prepare students for the advanced practice. The specialty courses build upon nursing knowledge and skills learned at the undergraduate level and during foundation and clinical core courses.
Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. The required types of monitoring include Time Limit, Completion Rate, Excessive Withdrawals and GPA Requirements. Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details. Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable program and maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Program requirements: Students are required to follow the university policies and procedures for graduate students, as described in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. In addition to the university requirements, specific School of Nursing policies and procedures are outlined in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.
Students are expected to earn a grade of 3.0 or above in each course in the MSN program. In courses graded Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (S/U), students are expected to earn a course grade of satisfactory. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in the program may be placed on probation with conditions imposed for retention in the program or may be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Students are required to keep RN license and health requirements current. See SON website for health requirements. Students are also required to meet any requirements of the healthcare facilities where they have clinical learning experiences.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study. Related program information
Plan of study
All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.
Advising
Students are responsible for requirements and policies stated in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook and in each course syllabus. Every student admitted to the MSN program is assigned both an academic adviser and a faculty adviser who has teaching responsibilities in the graduate program. These advisers are available to discuss coursework, plans of study, concerns regarding progression in the program, and student career goals.
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