Family Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Master of Science in Nursing

School of Nursing 3008 Human Health Building  (map) (248) 370-4253 • Fax (248) 364-8740 www.oakland.edu/nursing  Program Director: Carolyn Tieppo 2042 Human Health Building (248) 364-8714 cktieppo@oakland.edu

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Program description

The FNP track of the Master of Science in Nursing program prepares the students to be leaders in health care. The curriculum focuses on holistic patient care in the management of routine, episodic and complex health issues, with attention given to clinical experiences in primary care across the lifespan.  Oakland University’s Nurse Practitioner Program is proud to educate students with experienced nurse practitioner faculty and students have opportunities for involvement with many organizations on campus, including the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners - Oakland Chapter.  Oakland University School of Nursing is accredited through CCNE.  Upon completion of all program requirements, graduates are prepared for certification through ANCC or AANP.

Admission to the FNP track at Oakland University occurs twice a year, during the Fall and Winter semesters.  Admission to the program is highly competitive and priority is given to students who submit all materials by the deadline. Our desired applicants are self-directed learners, demonstrate superior communication and interpersonal skills, and have strong critical thinking skills. Qualified applicants will be selected for an interview with current Oakland University School of Nursing faculty.

Master’s Program Objectives

Building on the foundation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program will prepare graduates as transformational leaders with advanced nursing knowledge and practice expertise for optimizing health outcomes. (Essential IX)

The MSN program prepares graduates to:

1. Integrate theories and scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, and organizational sciences using translational processes to improve evidence-based nursing practice across diverse settings.  (Essentials I & IV, VIII, IX)
2. Apply concepts from organizational leadership, systems leadership, and information technology in the promotion of quality improvement and safety. (Essentials II, III, V, IX)
3. Demonstrate requisite knowledge of legal and regulatory processes, health policy, ethics, and advocacy to improve health outcomes of diverse populations at the organizational, local, state, and federal level.  (Essentials IV, VI, VIII, IX)
4. Employ intra/interprofessional collaborative strategies in the design and delivery of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention interventions to improve health outcomes in individuals, families, communities, and populations.  (Essentials IV, VII, VIII, IX)
5. Integrate professional standards and guidelines in the provision of nursing practice in a specialty area.  (Essentials IX)

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in NursingCAS by the deadline listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

All applicants to this program are admitted for the fall (full-time and part-time) and winter semester (full-time and part-time). The application deadlines are:

• January 15 for early admission and March 15 for standard admission to the following Fall semester
• August 15 for admission for early admission and September 15 for standard admission to the following Winter semester
• International students: May 1 for admission to the following Fall semester and September 1 for following Winter semester (see additional requirements below)

Application requirements

Applicants do not submit an online Oakland University Graduate Application.  A completed application and required materials must be submitted through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS). 

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines. Additional department application requirements FNP Nurse Practitioner Requirements: • Applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with an overall undergraduate cumulative grade point average of B (3.0) or above from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. • Applicants must submit all transcripts from previously attended institutions. • Proof of a current unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the United States or its territories. • Unrestricted R.N license to practice in Michigan. • Two (2) letters of recommendations are required and must be completed by healthcare professionals in nursing, leadership, administration/management, or education who can attest to the applicant’s work and/or educational experience, as well as the applicant’s potential for graduate study. Professional statement of 750 words or less. The professional statement should focus on the consensus model within the APRN scope of practice, the applicant’s career goals after completion of the program, how recent clinical experiences have prepared the applicant for an advanced practice role, and plans for professional development. International Students International students are encouraged to contact The Graduate School (www.oakland.edu/grad) to determine what additional documentation is required for admission eligibility.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, professional statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department. 

Qualified applicants will be selected for an individual interview with a School of Nursing faculty. The interview will be scheduled after all application materials have been submitted.

Related links

• Readmission (not enrolled for two years)       
• Transferring to Oakland University     
• Transferring to a new program