Indiana Wesleyan University offers several nurse practitioner programs for graduate students. Students can choose to enroll in an online master’s of science in nursing (MSN) or post-MSN certificate in family and primary care (FNP) or psychiatric mental health (PMHNP).
These programs are blended programs requiring one on-campus course as well as several campus residencies and workshops. The MSN degrees can be completed in about 30 months, and the certificates require the completion of 27 to 33 credits. Clinical hours are typically completed at a local site that is approved by Indiana Wesleyan University.
The Nurse Practitioner Master’s in Primary Care (Family)
The MSN program in primary care is a part-time, hybrid program consisting of 49 credits and at least 700 hours of supervised clinical hours. The program also consists of five on-campus workshops for clinical orientation the advanced health assessment course, which is offered during evening classes. Students typically complete the program in about 30 months but can study at their own pace. They must complete the program within four years. There are six start dates throughout the year. Course topics include biostatistics, epidemiology, advanced pathophysiology, primary care across the lifespan of children between one and three years old, and professional development for advanced practice in primary care nursing, among others.
Applicants must be registered nurses and have a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited program with a minimum 3.0 GPA. GRE scores are not required for admission. However, students must have at least one year of nursing experience and 500 hours of direct patient care in the year before enrollment. Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline may apply if they have ten years of experience in nursing practice. A portfolio review fee applies in this case.
The Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate in Primary Care (Family)
The post-MSN certificate program with a major in primary care nursing and a family NP specialization is a part-time program that begins in November. It comprises 33 credits including clinical hours and lab components. This online program includes five on-campus residencies for clinical orientation and the advanced health assessment course. The curriculum for the graduate certificate is very similar to that of the MSN program, with courses on advanced pharmacology, professional role development for the advanced practice nurse, and essentials of primary care, among others.
Applicants must be current registered nurses trained by a nursing program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). They must have a 3.0 GPA or higher from their latest degree earned.
Applicants must have at least one year of nursing experience and 500 hours of direct patient care in the year before enrollment. No GRE scores are required for admission. Prerequisites to the post-master’s certificate include graduate-level pharmacology, pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment. Students who have not completed these courses can take them any time in the year before the program begins. Applicants can also provide proof of current advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification and 500 hours of APRN practice.
The Nurse Practitioner Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health
The MSN in psychiatric mental health (PMHNP) program consists of 49 credits including at least 525 clinical hours. Students can complete the program in 30 months and they must finish within four years. The program begins in October and includes two residencies, seven onsite workshops for clinical orientation, and one onsite course in the evenings. The curriculum includes an introduction to interprofessional practice for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, neuro-psychopharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, and psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan. Core courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher and major courses a grade of B or higher.
An applicant to this program must be a registered nurse and have a BSN or a bachelor’s of science in a relevant field with a minimum 3.0 GPA. BSN applicants must have at least one year of professional practice with 500 direct patient care hours within the past year. Applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree must have at least ten years of nursing experience and present a portfolio for review to be considered for admission. GRE scores are not necessary to apply; however, the administration reserves the right to request a GRE exam or interview if they see the need.
The Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health
The post-MSN certificate in psychiatric mental health is a part-time program that requires the completion of 27 credits including clinical hours and lab components. This program includes seven onsite workshops for clinical orientation and the full on-campus advanced health assessment course. There are also two onsite residencies during the program. The curriculum for the graduate certificate in psychiatric mental health is very similar to that of the MSN program, with courses such as diagnostic reasoning, neuro-psychopharmacology, and introduction to interprofessional practice for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Applicants to this program must be registered nurses and have a master’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prerequisites to the post-master’s certificate include graduate-level pharmacology and pathophysiology. Students who have not completed these courses can take them within one year of beginning the program, earning at least a B (87 percent or higher) on the competency exams for the courses. Students can also provide proof of current APRN certification and 500 hours of APRN practice within the previous year to be exempt from these prerequisites. GRE scores are not required to apply, but administration reserves the right to request an interview or GRE exam if necessary.
