NATCHITOCHES – Two nurse practitioner concentrations in the Master of Science in Nursing programs at Northwestern State University have been ranked in the top four in the nation by the website nursepractitioneronline.com.
The women’s health nurse practitioner program was ranked third and the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner (PCPNP) concentration was ranked fourth. The rankings considered the diversity of nurse practitioner programs offered, accreditation status, years of experience/tenure of faculty, annual tuition/fees in relation to the local cost of living, size of the institution’s nursing department, acceptance rate and competitiveness of the institution and the graduation rate.
“The rankings reflect the hard work and dedication of the MSN faculty and students,” said Dr. Angela L. Hardy, director of MSN and PNC programs at Northwestern State. “Dr. Julie Gayle, women’s health nurse practitioner coordinator, and Meredith Eastin, primary care pediatric nurse practitioner coordinator, have done a phenomenal job facilitating students through their perspective programs. NSU has strong nurse practitioner programs because the MSN faculty are compassionate, accessible and willing to go above and beyond to ensure the students and programs are successful.”
According to Senior Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Administrator Dr. Anna Morris, being nationally ranked brings NSU to the attention of potential students and recognizes the quality of our programs.
Hardy said MSN faculty serve as role models, mentors, collaborators and directors of learning to help students gain knowledge, skills, and competencies that help prepare them for the nurse practitioner role.
Students in both concentrations take the Master of Science in Nursing core courses, four clinical courses, clinical practicums, role courses, an advanced assessment course and pharmacotherapeutics in addition to, a course in family dynamics. The sequence of studies requires a minimum of 42 credits and leads to the MSN degree. Women’s health nurse practitioner graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCC Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination and for other examinations as deemed appropriate by certifying bodies. The clinical sequence prepares advanced practice nurses in women’s health nursing practice who can function in primary care settings with women of all ages.
Primary care pediatric nurse practitioner graduates will be eligible to apply for the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification examination and for other examinations as deemed appropriate by certifying bodies. The clinical sequence will prepare advanced practice nurses in pediatric nursing practice who can function in primary care settings with children of all ages.
For more information on nursing programs at Northwestern State, go to nursing.nsula.edu/nursing-programs.
