Program Overview

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Overview of University Programs

The university offers a range of online programs, including:

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Criminal Justice (M.S.)
• eLearning Design and Development Certificate
• Health Services Administration (MHSA)
• Instructional Design and Development (M.S.)
• Nursing (MSN)
• Nursing (MSN) – Education Track
• Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track
• Nursing (MSN) – Forensics Track
• Nursing/Criminal Justice Dual Degree (MSN/M.S.)
• Nursing (MSN) – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track
• Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice in Population Health Leadership (DNP)
• Special Education (M.Ed. & M.S)
• Organizational Leadership (B.A.)
• Sport Administration (M.S.)
• Global TESOL (M.A.)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MEd in TESOL)

Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Objectives

The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program allows students to apply advanced practice skills, abilities, and knowledge to provide holistic family-centered primary health care to populations across the lifespan in a variety of ambulatory care settings as an advanced practice nurse specializing in family nursing.

1. The master’s degree program enables students to apply advanced practice skills, abilities, and knowledge to provide holistic family-centered primary health care to populations across the lifespan in a variety of ambulatory care settings as an advanced practice nurse specializing in family nursing.
2. Provides culturally competent, population-based preventive, management, and maintenance care for acute and chronic conditions for the family unit, however, the family chooses to define itself.
3. Demonstrate primary care knowledge, skills, and abilities to sit for the FNP Certification Examination in order to apply for a state certificate of authority in advanced and evidence-based practice, as well as the authority to prescribe as an FNP-BC (board certified).

Why Xavier Online?

• Personalized Experience: Students receive personal attention and flexibility needed to reach their goals at their pace.
• Jesuit Values: The program is based on a vision of a world changed for the better, emphasizing service and community engagement in addition to academics.
• Affordability: The university offers exceptional online programs at an affordable cost, with numerous financial aid resources available.

Curriculum

Family Nurse Practitioner Track Courses

The program requires 19-28 credits, depending on previous coursework.

• Nurse Practitioner Core Courses (9 credits):
  • NURS 658 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3cr)
  • NURS 680 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3cr)
  • NURS 756 – Advanced Physical Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3cr)
• FNP Core Courses (19 credits):
  • NURS 770 – Primary Care FNP Role (3cr)
  • NURS 771 – Woman’s Health & Family Care Practicum (1cr)* (120 Clinical Hours)
  • NURS 772 – Woman’s Health & Family Care (3cr)
  • NURS 773 – Pediatric and Adolescent Family Care Practicum (1cr)* (120 Clinical Hours)
  • NURS 774 – Pediatric and Adolescent Family Care (3cr)
  • NURS 775 – Adult and Geriatric Family Care Practicum (1cr)* (120 Clinical Hours)
  • NURS 776 – Adult and Geriatric Family Care (3cr)
  • NURS 787 – FNP in Practice Practicum (1cr)* (120 Clinical Hours)
  • NURS 789 – FNP in Practice Practicum (1cr)* (120 Clinical Hours)
  • NURS 532 – Leadership for Advanced Practice Nurses (2cr)

Admission

Requirements

Applicants to the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate must meet the following requirements:

• Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed.
• Hold a MSN and be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program.
• An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission.
• A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA.

Application Process

To be considered for admission, students must submit:

1. Free Online Application
2. Official Transcript
3. 3 Letters of Recommendation
4. GPA Requirements
5. Test Scores (if needed)

Faculty

The program is led by experienced faculty, including:

• Kimberly Toole, DNP, APRN, CPNP, Associate Professor, MSN-FNP Program Director
• Catherine Frank, DNNP, MSN, OHN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor
• Jonathan Ruedisueli, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Teaching Professor

FAQs

Accreditation

• The online MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• The program is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN).

Career Opportunities

Having a master’s degree in nursing practice opens the door for many different career opportunities, including:

• Family nurse practitioner
• Pediatric nurse practitioner
• Nursing informatics specialist
• Geriatric nurse practitioner
• Clinical nurse researcher
• Psychiatric nurse practitioner
• Forensic nurse consultant
• Nurse ethicist
• Nurse educator
• Legal nurse consultant

Choosing the Best Online Master’s Degree Program for Nursing

When evaluating different master’s programs, consider:

• Accreditation
• State licensing requirements
• Tuition cost and financial aid options
• In-person requirements
• Technology requirements

What Does it Mean to be CCNE Accredited?

Accreditation is very important for an online nursing program. The CCNE works to ensure that schools maintain quality nursing education and curriculum in their bachelor’s and master’s programs.