Masters of Science Degree (M.S.) Program

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

Bridge Program

Clinical Nurse Leader

Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

Family Nurse Practitioner

Health Care Administration

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care

School Nursing

Family Nurse Practitioner Master's Program

Wright State University - Miami Valley
College of Nursing and Health
Dayton, OH  45435-0001
Phone: (937)775-3577
Fax: (937)775-4571

Program Description

What are Family Nurse Practitioners?

Family Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses who have received the additional education and training necessary to provide primary health care, health information, and community-based case management in many settings. As a graduate from the Wright State University Family Nurse Practitioner Program, you will be able to help meet the growing demand for primary care and preventive care in settings where the services of a health care professionals are needed. Graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program are eligible to take the examination for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

What are Family Nurse Practitioners Qualified to Do?

As a master's-prepared Family Nurse Practitioner, you will be qualified to:

• Provide primary care to families and persons of all ages;

• Work in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers to:

  • treat common health problems such as sore throats and ear infections;

  • manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and

  • perform and interpret common screening and diagnostic tests

• Care for the person as a whole and not simply the illness

• Provide information needed so persons can make informed decisions about their lifestyle choices

• Work with families to increase their ability to care for themselves and to become informed consumers of health care

Admission Process for the Family Nurse Practitioner Program:

Applicants must first apply to the School of Graduate Studies at http://www.wright.edu/sogs as well as the College of Nursing and Health Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Applications are processed only once a year for this program. Deadline for applications to the FNP program is February 15.

All applicants are considered competitively. Each applicant is reviewed by an admission committee. Previous academic achievement, balanced academic background, employment experience, employer recommendation, and the clinical essay are required of each applicant. All of the following required documents must be turned in to 160 University Hall before your application can be processed:

1. The FNP application form

2. Your Resume

3. An essay about a meaningful clinical situation which helped you clarify your goals and desire to become an advanced practice nurse (maximum of 2 pages)

4. Two letters of recommendation from:

   • Your current or most recent supervisor
   • A faculty member of your BSN program or a previous employer
   
   Please address letters to Director, FNP Program.

5. A copy of an unencumbered RN license in the state of Ohio.

6. Statement of professional goals. (Note this is part of the online SOGS application form.) If you do not apply online, this must be separately submitted with your other forms.

A personal interview will be required for those applicants in the final selection pool after review of submitted documents is completed.  Leadership potential, motivation, ability to express ideas and opinions, conception of advanced nursing practice, diverse work and life experiences with people of different cultures are factors considered in the essays and interviews.  Compatibility between expressed career goals and program goals is weighted heavily.

Admission requirements for the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration in the Master of Science Degree program in Nursing:

1. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an NLN or CCNE accredited institution.
2. Applicants must have or be eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Ohio.
3. Applicant must be admitted to Wright State University School of Graduate Studies. (A separate application must be submitted to School of Graduate Studies - $25 fee.)
4. Applicants must have achieved academically at a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for their baccalaureate degree and any subsequent graduate work.
5. One year full-time experience as an RN required.
6. Applicants must have completed a basic physical assessment course or its equivalent within the last 10 years.
7. Applicants will be required to interview with an admission selection committee.
8. Deadline application, including all requested materials, for the FNP program is February 15.

Second Masters program:

The college offers a flexible program leading to a second master’s degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. You must have a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution. The purpose of the program is to provide a convenient, cost-effective opportunity for you to become a primary care provider. Courses taken at other universities may be accepted as part of the requirement. Only 12 hours can be transferred to WSU. To meet the university requirements for a second master’s, 33 hours must be taken at Wright State University after completion of the first master’s. Application deadline and other requirements are the same as for the first master’s degree.

Choose Either Traditional Classroom or Online Instruction

Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health offers you two ways to complete your course of study:

• Online instruction which is a innovative Web-based instructional program,

  OR

• Traditional classroom setting which includes a distance learning component.  You choose which works best for you!

Online Instruction

If you choose online instruction, you will be able to attend class from any location with high speed access to the Internet. You will be able to do most of your library work online. You will work with faculty to establish clinicals close to your home. Your classes will be offered using both an asynchronous and synchronous format (asynchronous means you may attend class at any time, day or night; synchronous means you must be online at the same time as your classmates). Using both the synchronous and asynchronous formats provides you with flexibility while also giving you opportunities for discussions with your faculty and classmates. If you elect to take the online program and live outside of Ohio, you will be required to make at least four campus visits throughout the course of study.  If you live in Ohio, you may be required to come to campus once or twice per quarter.

Traditional Classroom

If you choose the traditional classroom setting, you will take your core courses on campus. All core courses are offered once a week, and most core courses are scheduled in the late afternoon or evening with the working student in mind. Every attempt is made to offer more than one class per evening and to optimize the amount of time you spend on campus. The Family Nurse Practitioner clinical courses are Web enhanced which allows you to complete your clinicals in an area close to your home. You will return to campus for midterm and final clinical evaluations using standardized patients and a computerized test.

Three Program Options

Depending on your academic credentials, the College of Nursing and Health offers three programs that can lead to the F.N.P. certification.

• First master's option:  for those who have a bachelor's degree in nursing.

• Second master's option:  for those who already have a master's degree in nursing. 

•  Bridge program:  If you are a R.N. with a bachelor's degree in another area, the college offers an R.N.-to-M.S. Bridge Program.

For additional information for the Family Nurse Practitioner program:

Wright State University
College of Nursing and Health
Graduate Administrative Assistant
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
Phone: (937) 775-3577
Fax: (937) 775-4571
Email: nursing_graduate_programs@wright.edu

Please note: If you are an R.N. who does not possess a bachelor's degree, the College of Nursing and Health offers an R.N.-to-B.S.N. Completion Program.  If you would like more information about the RN-BSN Completion Program please contact our Out-reach Coordinator at (937) 775-3044.