Program Overview
Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Introduction
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at Old Dominion University (ODU) is designed to enhance students' expertise in theory, research, and advanced nursing practice. The program takes a holistic approach to health and nursing care, preparing advanced practice students to provide a full range of primary care services to individuals and families throughout the life span.
Program Overview
ODU's FNP program is one of only 17 programs in the country that is funded to provide a technology-supported preceptor infrastructure. The program is taught by ODU faculty who are involved in healthcare nationally, including innovative solutions to improve healthcare to rural areas through telehealth, interprofessional education, and the program bridges to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
Curriculum
The FNP program curriculum is designed to provide the advanced practice student with skills in assessment and management of the client/family within the primary care system. The program includes clinical experiences in a variety of primary care settings, including family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and women's health, and specialty clinical sites.
Accreditation
ODU's Ellmer School of Nursing and Advanced Practice Programs are fully accredited by the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education (CCNE). Successful completion of the FNP Program qualifies students to apply for FNP certification from the American Nurses' Credentialing Association or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and licensure as a nurse practitioner.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the FNP program, applicants must:
- Have a current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN) with 1 year of current experience in the role.
- Have completed an undergraduate physical/health assessment course and an undergraduate statistics course as confirmed by an official college transcript.
- Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
- Submit three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a former faculty member and at least one from a former employer while in the RN role.
- Submit a 500-700 word essay that addresses the applicant's goals and reasons for seeking certification as a family nurse practitioner.
Transfer Credit
Up to 12 credits of graduate-level coursework completed at another accredited institution may be considered for transfer if those credits were not part of a previously conferred degree. Transfer credits may include only coursework for which grades of B or higher are earned.
Program Format
The Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered primarily online, as a distance learning program. The FNP curriculum is provided in various formats, including online content and televised (video streamed) lectures. Students will access course presentations and information via the Canvas platform.
Clinical Experiences
The Family Nurse Practitioner program requires clinical experiences with faculty-approved preceptors in a variety of settings to include primary care, pediatrics, and women's health. Old Dominion University Ellmer School of Nursing has a Student Clinical Services Coordinator who assists the practicum course faculty and the student to locate appropriate clinical sites and ensures that the appropriate agreements are in place.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the FNP program can pursue careers in:
- Family Practice/Primary Care clinics
- Life stage medicine such as Pediatrics and Gerontology
- Specialties including Internal Medicine, Oncology, Infectious Disease, Cardiovascular Care, and Women's Health
- Health Education and Disease Prevention
- Research and Education
- Public Health and Community Health Clinics
- Acute Care and Emergency Services
Program Data
The program has the following statistics:
- Degree Completion Rate: 93% (2024), 83% (2023), 75% (2022)
- Certification Pass Rate: TBD (2024), 96% (2023), 93% (2022)
- Employment Rate: 95% (2024), 100% (2023), 100% (2022)