Contact Information
Nursing at NMU
The School of Nursing provides a program of graduate study that leads to a master of science in nursing (MSN) with specialization as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). FNPs function as primary health-care providers for individuals of all ages and their families. They practice in a variety of rural and urban ambulatory settings, such as physician offices, hospital outpatient clinics, health maintenance organizations, community health clinics and specialty clinics. Graduates are eligible for state and national certification. The MSN program received full accreditation (10 years) from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2013, meeting nationally-mandated standards.
Program Requirements
The FNP program is a part-time, three year, cohort-based curriculum consisting of 45 credit hours and 720 supervised clinical hours. Courses are delivered using a mix of on-campus and online methods. On-campus courses are scheduled one day per week. Clinical practicum hours may be completed in the student’s community with an approved preceptor. Students must pass a comprehensive examination during the final semester of the program.
Admission Requirements
- A completed MSN application.
- A BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- A current unrestricted RN license.
- One year of clinical experience as a professional RN within the past three years.
- Three references from professional colleagues (forms provided).
- A one-page, typed narrative of the applicant’s professional experience and future professional goals.
- Completion of an inferential statistics course (recommended).
The School of Nursing also offers a post-master's family nurse practitioner (FNP) certificate. The post-master's FNP certificate is designed for nurses who already possess a nursing master's degree but who wish to pursue an FNP specialty. All candidates must make an application to the program and must meet the admission requirements for the MSN program. Course of study is individualized based upon previous course work.
Candidates who are already certified nurse practitioners and are seeking additional certification as an FNP will need to meet different requirements from those MSN graduates seeking NP certification for the first time. A portfolio must be submitted to verify previous work/clinical experiences. The portfolio will be used to individualize a program of study.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education.
Additional requirements include:
- A completed MSN application.
- Master's of science in nursing (MSN) or equivalent from an accredited nursing program
- A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- A current unrestricted Michigan RN license or eligibility for RN licensure in Michigan
- One year of clinical experience within the past three years
- Three references from professional colleagues
- A one-page typed narrative of the applicant's professional experience and future professional goals
All applicants must complete both an NMU application for admission and an MSN application for admission by April 15 of the year prior to admission. The completed NMU graduate application is submitted to the Office of Graduate Education, 401 Cohodas Hall, along with a $50 application fee. The MSN application is submitted to the School of Nursing, 2301 New Science Facility. Applications received after April 15 will be considered on a space-available basis. Admission to the FNP program will be offered every three years. Candidates for the 2011-2014 cohort have been selected.
Computer Requirements
Students are required to participate in NMU’s laptop program and must have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Students should be proficient in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, e-mail and accessing the Internet.
Post Admission Requirements for the Clinical Practicum
Students must provide the School of Nursing with current evidence of the following prior to their clinical rotations:
- An unrestricted RN license
- TB skin test (yearly), MMR, hepatitis B, and tetanus (booster every 10 years)
- CPR certification
- Nurse practitioner student malpractice insurance (approximately $250 per year).
Programs
Bulletin Year: 2013 - 2014 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.