Graduate Nursing - Frequently Asked Questions
- How
long does the Graduate Nursing program take to complete?
- Do I
need to obtain an Indiana Nursing license?
- How
do I find a clinical placement site?
- What
is the difference between a physician’s assistant
and a nurse practitioner?
- Do I
have to pass a certification exam in order to practice?
- What
is prescriptive authority?
- What
if my undergraduate GPA is below 3.0?
- Is financial
aid available?
- How
much of the program is available online?
- Currently
I am a diploma nurse with a Bachelors degree in another
major. What do I need to do to apply for the Master of Science
degree in Nursing?
- I have
an MS in a field of Nursing. What courses would I need to
take in order to obtain a Post Master’s FNP certificate
and be eligible to sit for the certification exam?
How long does the Graduate
Nursing program take to complete?
The Primary Care (Nurse Practitioner) program is 2 ½ years. The Nursing Education and Nursing Administration majors take approxmimately 21 months to complete.
Do I need to obtain an Indiana
Nursing license?
Students must be licensed in the state where they are completing
their practicum experience.
How do I find a clinical
placement site?
The graduate nursing office maintains a file of clinical sites
used by students. Students are
encouraged to choose a location within 50 miles of their classroom
site.
What is the difference between
a physician’s assistant and a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners bring to the practice a baccalaureate degree
with a minimum of one year of clinical practice, plus the graduate
degree with 700 hours of advanced practicum. Upon completion
of the Master’s degree, nurse practitioners are eligible
to practice autonomously with prescriptive authority and a collaborative
agreement with a licensed physician.
Physician’s assistants are prepared to assess and diagnose,
but are not licensed for autonomous practice, prescriptive authority,
or direct reimbursement.
Do I have to pass a certification
exam in order to practice?
Advanced Practice laws regulating the criteria for licensure
vary from state to state. Current law in Indiana does not require
certification. However, those seeking to be credentialed by
Medicare and approved for third party reimbursement on certain
licensure plans will find certification a requirement.
< top
What is prescriptive authority?
In Indiana, nurse practitioners who have completed a Master’s
program that includes advanced Pharmacology, advanced Pathophysiology,
and advanced Physical Assessment are eligible to apply for a
license to prescribe medications, including controlled substances.
Renewal of the prescriptive authority requires eight (8) hours
of continuing education contact every two years.
What if my undergraduate
GPA is below 3.0?
Your file will be forwarded to our Academic Review Committee
for review. Students may be required to take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE).
Is financial aid available?
Numerous loans, grants and scholarships are available. Applicants
may seek specific answers through the financial aid office.
Requests for scholarships are handled directly with the Graduate
Nursing Office.
How much of the program is available online?
Primary Care Major
- The first year of classes meet online
- Clinical courses meet both online and onsite
- Onsite classes meet from 6-10 p.m.
- The final course is online
- The major is offered in Indianapolis and Louisville
Nursing Education Major
- This program is 100% online
Nursing Administration Major
- This program is 100% online
Post-Master's Certificates
- Primary Care - the first three courses meet online; the balance of courses meet both
online and onsite; onsite classes meet from 6-10 p.m.
- Nursing Education - all courses are online
- Nursing Administration - all courses are online
Some core courses are offered in the EduFlex format, which means that - within a given course - students will meet onsite for some class sessions and online for others. Other courses will be offered 100% online, depending on the major. The Nursing Administration and Nursing Education majors are 100% online.
Currently, I am a diploma nurse with a Bachelor degree in another major. What do I need to do to apply for the Master of Science in Nursing degree program?
A student must have a Bachelor degree in nursing to apply to the Master of Science in Nursing program.
I have an MS in a field
of Nursing. What courses would I need to take in order to obtain
a Post Master’s FNP certificate and be eligible to sit
for the certification exam?
Please click here for information related to post-master's certificates.
< top
|
