Department of Nursing
Dr. Jacqueline Haverkamp, Chairperson
Dr. Patricia Keane, Director of Graduate Studies
Department Office: Schear-McFadden Science Hall, Room 445D
Mission Statement
Academic Advising
Academic Standing Requirements
Grade Policy
Time Limit for Program Completion
Leave of Absence
Acceptance/Admitted and Enrolled/Completion/Reapplication/Reenrollment
Change of Major
Additional Requirements: Graduate Nursing Programs (includes MSN, Post Masters and DNP)
Disability Services
Health Problems Policy
Registered Nurse Licensure
Department of Nursing Graduate Handbook
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Anesthesia
ADN to MSN Program - Clinical Nurse Leader or Family Nurse Practitioner
Post Masters Certificates - Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, and Advanced Practice Nurse Educator
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Department of Nursing is committed to quality nursing education that uses a holistic caring framework to promote quality and safe healthcare. Our mission encourages personal and professional development of faculty, staff and students. An appreciation for diverse perspectives and humane values is central to this mission. Building on a liberal arts education and a strong science foundation, the goal of the Nursing Program is to prepare lifelong learners who are committed to the profession, the community and to meeting the changing health care needs of society.
Please refer to the Academic Support section of this catalog.
Academic standing policies apply to all degree and non-degree students. For graduate level courses, please refer to the Academic and Enrollment Standards section of this catalog. For undergraduate level courses, please refer to the Academic Standards section in the undergraduate catalog.
The following program policies are in addition to the University’s academic standing policies. For a description of the University policy, please refer to the Academic and Enrollment Standards section of the catalog.
Graduate Nursing Programs (includes MSN, Post-Masters and DNP)
A minimum grade of B- (80%) is required in all graduate course work. If a grade lower than B- is earned, this course must be repeated and the minimum grade of at least B- be achieved. Students must repeat the failed course before enrolling in subsequent nursing courses that require that course as a prerequisite. Students may enroll in nursing courses that do not require the failed course as a prerequisite; however, they should consult with their advisor if they intend to do this, as it may put them at a disadvantage in maintaining the required minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) to receive the Graduate degree.
Any student receiving two (2) grades of C+ or lower in the original attempt of all required graduate course work, will no longer be able to continue in the Graduate program.
A student may attempt only one graduate course twice in the Graduate program. Receiving a grade of C+ or lower or a W (Withdrawal) in the original attempt of any graduate course will constitute an attempt.
Please refer to the Academic and Enrollment Standards section of this catalog.
Please refer to the Academic and Enrollment Standards section of this catalog.
Acceptance Confirmation: Once an offer of acceptance is made, the prospective student may secure a seat in the program by completing both procedures below:
- Return the confirmation card indicating his or her desire to accept a seat in the program by the stated deadline (to the nursing department).
- Pay the required program deposit fee to the business office by the stated deadline.
Admitted and Enrolled: A student who completes his or her acceptance procedures into the program may enroll.
6 Years to complete program: A student who successfully completes at least one course by the appointed start term of the program to which he or she is admitted has 6 years to complete the program. (Nurse Anesthesia program start date is Spring Semester and has a 4 year time limit)
Reapplication: When the reapplication process is required:
- A student, who does not enroll and complete at least one course at the appointed start date for the program, loses his or her seat in the program (for the Nurse Anesthesia program the start term is Spring Semester). The prospective student may reapply and will go back into the general applicant pool to seek acceptance into the program.
- An accepted student does not complete the acceptance confirmation procedure within the specified time frame.
Procedure for Reapplication:
- Contact the Graduate School to update the application and submit materials by the published application deadline.
- Requires a new acceptance letter from the Nursing Admission Review Committee (NARC).
Reenrollment: When reenrollment process is required:
- A student who has completed one or more courses in his or her program and not enrolled for more than one calendar year - may be readmitted to continue in his or her program.
Procedure for Reenrollment:
- Update the application form, resume and transcripts with the Graduate School as needed.
- NARC will consult with program directors to determine if there is space available and in what term the student may return.
- Students may be required to petition curriculum committee if their term to return would extend their program past the 6 year limit (or a 4 year time limit for NA program).
- NARC sends readmission letter to student and Graduate School.
Students who wish to change their declared major should talk with their faculty advisor to explore what this change will mean in relation to required course work. After making the decision to change majors, students should contact the Graduate School office at 614-823-3210 to request the appropriate form for making the change. Decisions related to change of major requests will be considered by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee.
CPR
Students are required to complete the American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support Course for Health Care Providers (BLS-C) before beginning a clinical course. Certification from the American Heart Association is valid for two years. Before expiration, a recertification course must be completed. Proof of certification must be filed in the Department of Nursing prior to entry to a clinical course.
***American Red Cross CPR classes are NOT accepted for this requirement.
Health Requirements
A medical history and physical examination are required prior to enrolling in the first clinical course. Students must provide proof of up-to-date immunizations as specified by the Student Health Center. This includes current written documentation of two annual successive TB skin tests; if not available, a two-step Mantoux TB skin test is required (or chest x-ray if recommended by the health care provider). The Hepatitis B vaccine series or a waiver (available from the Nursing Department) is also required. Students are NOT allowed to participate in clinical experiences until all health requirements are met and on file at the Nursing Department office and Student Health Center.
Liability Insurance
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to carry their own personal coverage for professional liability.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Clearance
Students who have lived in the state of Ohio during the past 5 years must complete a BCI clearance prior to enrolling in the first clinical nursing course. Students who have lived outside of the state of Ohio during the past 5 years must complete both a BCI and an FBI clearance prior to enrolling in the first clinical nursing course. Prior clearance through an employer is NOT accepted. Distant students may request application materials from the Nursing Office to use with their local police department by calling 614-823-1614. Local students may wish to go to Secure Check, a company in the Columbus area. They can be contacted for hours and location by calling 614-252-7300. Students are responsible for associated fees. Caution: Mail-in applications (done by the police department) take 6-8 weeks; computerized screening (such as at Secure Check), usually take 1 week. The Nursing Department MUST receive the official report of clearance prior to your initial enrollment in a nursing course. Unsuccessful BCI clearance may result in an inability to successfully progress in the nursing program, all such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Health Insurance
Adequate health insurance coverage is strongly recommended. Students are financially responsible for any testing or treatment needed following a course-related injury or illness.
Essential Performance Requirements
In order to accomplish the objectives of the nursing program safely, students must possess the ability and fitness to perform in a manner that will not jeopardize safety and well-being of their patients or themselves. The Nursing Department may require nursing students who pose a threat to the safety of others or to themselves in the health care environment to withdraw from the nursing program pursuant to the policy in the Otterbein University Course Catalog/Graduate Course Catalog on withdrawal and subject to the Grade Policy in the Department of Nursing Undergraduate/Graduate Student Handbook. All students admitted to the nursing program must be able to meet the essential performance requirements with or without accommodations. Each situation will be reviewed on an individual basis.
These essential performance requirements include but are not limited to the following five areas of ability:
- Observation: Must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences. Must be able to observe a patient accurately to identify cyanosis or absence of respiratory movement and when a patient is in imminent danger; perform equipment calibrations; read small print on medication containers, physician’s orders and equipment monitors; and perform physical assessments.
- Communication: Must be able to speak, hear and observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in the patient, and perceive nonverbal communications. Must be able to hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, patients’ calls for help, call bells from patients, stethoscope sounds originating from a patient’s blood vessels, heart, lungs, and abdomen, etc. Must have verbal and language capabilities to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients regarding their nursing plan of care. Must have reading and writing skills sufficient for patient communication, record keeping and professional health care team interactions.
- Motor: Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, quickly move about and transport patients during emergencies, carry infants, maneuver quickly in confined spaces, etc. Other motor requirements include carrying equipment, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, bending, and climbing stairs. Must be able to lift, push and pull with assistance (mechanical or co-worker) the weight of the average patient specific to the clinical area working in. Other motor skills include eye-hand-foot coordination, repetitive arm and hand movements and finger dexterity, using sterile techniques, inserting catheters, preparing and administering medication (oral, intramuscular, intravenous), and numerous other invasive procedures.
- Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, a critical skill for nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. Must be able to collect data pertinent to a patient’s health, analyze the assessment data, identify outcomes for an individualized plan of care for the patient, develop a plan of care that prescribes strategies to attain the expected outcomes, and evaluate the achievement of the expected patient care outcomes. The ability to incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and the professional literature in formulating diagnoses and care plans is essential.
- Behavioral, Social and Ethical Attributes: Emotional stability and the ability to accept responsibility and accountability are essential. Must be capable of developing mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients from diverse social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Must have awareness of ethical actions related to the well-being of others and as part of the direct patient service role required of registered nurses. Must be able to tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.
- Must have a valid Ohio Driver’s License or access to transportation to local/regional clinical and observational sites.
The Nursing Department may require nursing students with special needs who pose a threat to the safety of others or to themselves in the health care environment to withdraw from the program. Each situation will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Disability Services (DS) at Otterbein University is charged with ensuring that all qualified students with disabilities have equal access to an education and to campus life. This access is provided to students through the provision of legally mandated (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act) services, accommodations, and advocacy. Accommodations might include extra time for exams, distraction reduced test space, note taking assistance and priority registration. DS provides services to students with obvious physical disabilities such as visual impairments, hearing impairments and mobility impairments as well as to students diagnosed with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and psychiatric disorders.
Reasonable accommodation in course work or clinical experiences will be made for students with special needs on an individualized basis. In order to receive accommodations, students must provide DS with appropriate documentation of their disability. After reviewing the documentation of a student’s disability, DS staff will determine appropriate academic services and accommodations, depending on the disability. When students are enrolled in nursing courses, they have the responsibility to discuss their special needs with course faculty so that reasonable accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Nursing faculty and DS work together to determine appropriate accommodations that allow students to succeed in the program without jeopardizing the essential requirements of the program. For students with English as a second language, please refer to the Nursing Department policy for Extra Time on Examinations.
Students are responsible for informing faculty about health alterations which may affect safety and competency in the clinical setting. Students are required to submit a faculty specified doctor’s/health professional’s statement on appropriate letterhead regarding status of this health condition before participating in clinical experiences to her/his instructor. Students are also responsible to inform clinical instructors about any conditions (e.g., pregnancy, skin not intact, immunocompromised condition) which may affect their clinical assignment to clients with serious communicable diseases.
Distance students who plan clinical experiences outside Ohio must be licensed as a registered nurse in both Ohio and the state of the clinical site.
Each student has the obligation to become familiar with the contents of the Department of Nursing Graduate Handbook. This handbook, containing guidelines and policies specifically related to graduate study in nursing, can be accessed on the intranet at www.otterbein.edu by selecting Nursing under Department Intranet Sites.
Admission
Admission Standards (Family Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Leader)
(Admission to the ADN to MSN program, please see section specific to the program)
Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN) is open to graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs from institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agencies and either ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Applicants must hold a current unencumbered registered nurse license from Ohio; and give evidence of the intellectual, academic and personal ability to succeed in graduate studies. Admission shall not be denied on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, marital or veteran status.
Applications for admission will be reviewed once per year by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee. The most qualified applicants will be selected on a space-available basis. It may be necessary for some students to take undergraduate courses to meet prerequisites of selected graduate courses.
Candidates that do not meet all the admission criteria, but who wish to be considered for admission must submit a petition requesting special consideration along with their application materials.
Application Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency.
- Baccalaureate degree from an ACEN and/or CCNE accredited undergraduate nursing program.
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio and no previous revocation of licensure in Ohio or from any other state or country.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A blended cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, for all undergraduate course work is required; and a 3.0 GPA for blended science courses preferred; and completion of a statistics course with a grade of C or higher.
- Congruence of the applicant’s goals with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Nursing Department.
- By the application date, all candidates must have one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) nursing work experience, within the last five years.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.
Candidates that do not meet all the admission criteria, but who wish to be considered for admission must submit a petition form requesting special consideration along with their application materials.
Application Process
(Family Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Leader)
Materials required for admission to the MSN Programs must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.
- Complete the graduate Application for Admission.
- Request separate official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended be sent to the Graduate School. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Give an Otterbein University Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form to two individuals who can support your application to pursue graduate studies (one reference from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
- Provide a current Ohio RN license number on the Application for Admission form. The Graduate School will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file.
- Schedule an in-person appointment with the Nursing Admissions Counselor in the Graduate School for program information. Phone: 614-823-3272. During this appointment, applicants will be required to write a short paragraph. The paragraph prompts will be given at the time of the interview.
All admission materials, including transcripts, must be submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process (Family Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Leader)
Applicants should complete the graduate application first and then send all other materials to the Graduate School. Please allow sufficient time for arrival of official transcripts. While many schools offer online ordering, some still require hard paper copy requests or only send out transcripts once or twice per week. It can take up to 10 days or 2 weeks for transcript orders to be processed by your alma maters. In order to ensure admission consideration, these materials must be submitted by the application deadline. Please contact the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 for specific application deadlines. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the MSN program. Letters of acceptance or denial are sent to the applicant’s home address from the School of Nursing. Questions regarding the application process or admission status should be directed to the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
Application Criteria (Nurse Anesthesia)
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and/or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(CCNE).
- Provide a current unenbumbered RN License number and state of licensure on the application form and no previous revocation of licensure from any state or country. Active Ohio RN license is required at the time of matriculation.
- Capacity for graduate study as demonstrated by:
- A blended cumulative GPA average of 3.0 or higher
- A blended undergraduate science course GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A grade of B or higher in an undergraduate statistics course
- Minimum of one (1) year full time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care unit within the last 5 years by the application deadline. (Experience in interpretation of invasive monitors, titration of vasoactive infusions, management of ventilated patients, and care of acutely ill patients. Operating room, PACU, emergency room, cath lab, and telemetry unit experience are not accepted as critical care experience). Flight nursing experience is accepted only if the applicant has prior ICU experience and actively manages patients on ventilators and vasoactive drips during transports.
- Current ACLS recognition.
- CCRN is required by the application deadline.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.
- Ability to articulate a clear understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role.
- (Optional) Submission of the Verification of Observation Form (observing a practicing CRNA or anesthesiologist in the Operating Room).
- Submission of the Practice Evaluation Form (to document critical care work experience).
- GRE is required by application deadline for applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.
Application Process (Nurse Anesthesia)
Materials required for admission to the MSN program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.
- Complete the online graduate nursing application or a paper application.
- Request separate official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended be sent to the Graduate School. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.(cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, science course GPA of 3.0 or higher, completion of Statistics course with a grade of B or higher)
- Submit a professional resume.
- Give an Otterbein University Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form to two individuals who can support your application to pursue graduate studies (one reference from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
- Submit a 2-4 page essay (typewritten, double-spaced). The essay should describe your professional goals and how these goals will be achieved in the MSN program. Indicate how your past experiences and reflections have influenced these goals. Describe your understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role. Identify personal contributions that can be made to nursing and the greater community.
- (Optional) Submit completed Verification of Observation form.
- Submit completed Practice Survey form.
- Submit proof of ACLS recognition.
- Provide a current unencumbered U.S. RN license number on the application for admission form. (The Graduate School will verify current RN licensure and add proof to your file). Active unencumbered Ohio RN license is required prior to matriculation.
- Provide proof of CCRN before application deadline.
- GRE is required by application for applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.
All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process (Nurse Anesthesia)
Applicants should complete the graduate application first and then send all other materials to the Graduate School. Please allow sufficient time for the arrival of official transcripts. While many schools offer online ordering, some still require hard paper copy requests or only send out transcripts once or twice per week. It can take up to 10 days or 2 weeks for transcript orders to be processed by your Alma Maters. In order to ensure admission consideration, all materials must be submitted by the application deadline. Please contact the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 or view the website for specific application deadlines. Please note that CCRN test dates sometimes have a wait time, it is advisable to schedule your test date well before the nurse anesthesia application deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline. The Nurse Anesthesia Program receives many more applications from qualified individuals than can be accepted. After reviewing the completed application packets, the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admission’s Committee invites approximately two to three applicants to interview for each available seat in the program. Applicants selected for an interview are notified 4-6 weeks after the application deadline and are scheduled for an interview within the following month.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee and the Program Admission Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the MSN program. Letters of admission or denial are sent to the applicant’s home address from the Department of Nursing. Questions about the admission process or admission status should be directed towards the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
International/Non-Citizen Applicant Admission
Some, or all of the following information may be required in order to complete the application process. Once the Graduate School has received an admission application, the applicant will be notified what additional materials will be required.
The materials may include:
- Supplemental Application for Admission.
- Official TOEFL report if the applicant’s first language is not English or the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. college or university. A score of at least 550 on the paper-based test, a 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test (IBT) is required. Departments may set separate minimum scores.
- Proof of financial support is required for applicants seeking a student visa. Please contact the Graduate School for a complete description of documentation required to process an I-20.
- If academic credentials are from an institution outside of the United States, a World Education Services, Inc. (WES) course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials.
- Applicants who hold a visa, are a U.S. resident alien, or are a permanent resident (with a green card) must submit a copy of the visa/green card along with the Supplemental Application.
All international applicants should contact the Graduate School for additional information. In order to process admission and immigration documents in a timely manner, international/non-citizen applicants are asked to submit all admission materials, including the WES evaluation and proof of financial support, no later than two months prior to the application deadline.
Non-Degree Applicant Admission
Qualified applicants with baccalaureate degrees in nursing who do not plan to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree at Otterbein University may enroll in selected graduate nursing courses on a space available basis for one semester. Requests for enrollment beyond one semester must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in Nursing. Non-degree students must pay the same fees as degree seeking students. Prior to beginning the admission process, applicants must contact the Otterbein University Nursing Admissions Review Committee Chair.
In order to be admitted, non-degree applicants must submit the following to the Graduate School:
- Graduate Application for Admission.
- Official transcripts showing completion of a BSN degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and a ACEN and/or CCNE accredited nursing program. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Current RN license number.
- The Graduate School will verify current RN licensure and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file. Contact the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 for application deadline.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit for graduate level course work will be considered if:
- The course work is evaluated by the Department of Nursing Curriculum Committee and course faculty.
- The transcript and syllabus reflect graduate level course work from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and whose graduate nursing program is accredited by ACEN and/or CCNE.
- The content of the transfer course is equivalent to the course offered in the Otterbein University Master of Science in Nursing Program.
- The course has been taken within the previous 5 years.
- The course was completed with a grade of B or higher. The actual grade is not transferred and thus will not be included in the Otterbein grade point average.
- No more than 6 hours of graduate semester credit will be accepted as transfer credit.
- Proficiency exams are not offered in the MSN program.
- Credit for life/professional experiences is not granted for graduate courses.
- Courses eligible for transfer credit are: NURS 5210, 5220, 5230, 5310, 5320 and 5330.
To request transfer credit, the relevant transcript needs to be on file and the student must submit the following information to the Department of Nursing Curriculum Committee after admission to the program:
- A letter describing what transfer credit is being sought.
- Syllabus of the graduate course for which transfer credit is being sought.
Transient Credit
Students admitted to the nursing graduate program may petition to take appropriate course work in other institutions for credit at Otterbein University.
The conditions for approval of course work taken as a transient student in other institutions for graduate credit are as follows:
- The application for credit earned as a transient student must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with course faculty.
- The transcript and syllabus reflect graduate level course work from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and whose graduate nursing program is accredited by ACEN and/or CCNE.
- Course work for which credit is requested must be described in the catalog or other official publication of the offering institution.
- The content of the course is equivalent to a course offered in the Otterbein University Master of Science in Nursing Program.
- No more than 3 semester hours of credit earned as a transient student will be approved.
- The 3 credits earned as a transient student plus any transfer credits approved when the student is admitted to the MSN program cannot exceed 6 semester hours.
- Courses eligible for transient credit are: NURS 5210, 5220, 5230, 5310, 5320 and 5330.
- Credit will not be recorded until an official transcript or report has been received from the offering institution. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- The course must be completed with a grade of B or higher. The actual grade is not transferred and thus will not be included in the Otterbein grade point average.
To request transient credit, the student must submit the following information to the Director of Graduate Studies in Nursing after admission to the program:
- A letter describing what transient credit is being sought.
- Syllabus of the graduate course for which transient credit is being sought.
Residence Requirement
A student is considered to be in residence when registered for graduate course work offered by Otterbein University. To meet the residence requirement, the student must complete all required graduate course work at Otterbein University with the exception of a maximum of 6 hours of graduate credit transferred from an accredited graduate nursing program with permission from the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Nursing.
Program Completion
Students must submit a Request for Degree Application to the Registrar’s Office two semesters prior to the completion of all graduate work. This form may be obtained at the Office of Registrar or from the Registrar’s web page at www.otterbein.edu, under the intranet link. All financial obligations must be met before students may participate in graduation, receive their transcripts, or receive their diploma.
MSN Program Curriculum
The Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN Program) at Otterbein University provides the baccalaureate nurse an opportunity to synthesize knowledge and develop skills for advanced nursing practice, teaching, management, and research. Students may major in Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthesia. Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia Certificate Programs are available for students who already have an MSN degree and want to practice as an advanced practice nurse. (For additional details, see section on Post Masters NP programs in this catalog.) MSN students may also complete a certificate in advanced nursing education consisting of all online courses focusing on the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse Educator. This advanced practice nurse educator certificate is also offered as a Post Masters program. (For additional details, see section on Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator program in this catalog.) An ADN to MSN program is also available (See ADN to MSN). Graduate courses are offered on-line, in-class and via webinar based learning.
Curriculum Objectives (Family Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Leader)
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing Program, the graduate will be able to:
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing and relevant fields of study as a basis for an advanced nursing role.
- Use the nursing process to perform the independent, collaborative and multifaceted functions of an advanced nursing role to optimize health care outcomes.
- Demonstrate critical thinking when making decisions regarding the delivery of quality, cost effective, culturally relevant health care to individuals or populations including the vulnerable or underserved.
- Analyze the legal, political, ethical, financial and professional functions of advanced nursing roles.
- Examine health issues, health care delivery systems, including informatics and the implications for nursing.
- Provide nursing leadership through advocacy and change management within the health care delivery system in advanced nursing roles.
- Integrate caring behaviors and patterns into advanced nursing roles.
- Apply the body of nursing knowledge through systematic inquiry, professional standards of care and evidence-based practice.
Curriculum Objectives (Nurse Anesthesia)
The overall objective of the nurse anesthesia major is to prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, and competencies in perianesthetic management, patient safety, critical thinking, and communication to fulfill their professional responsibilities as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
In addition to meeting the objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing Program (see Graduate Studies in Nursing Handbook), graduates of the nurse anesthesia program will be able to:
- Protect patients from harm during all phases of anesthesia management.
- Design, administer, and manage patient-specific anesthesia care for individuals of all ages and physical conditions undergoing a variety of elective and non-elective surgical and diagnostic procedures.
- Demonstrate competency in utilizing a variety of anesthesia techniques, agents, adjunctive drugs, and equipment while providing anesthesia services.
- Use critical thinking to anticipate and solve problems, make decisions and apply knowledge from the arts and sciences to practice.
- Use effective written, verbal, and nonverbal skills to communicate with patients, families and other healthcare providers in the delivery of anesthesia services.
- Assume responsibility and accountability for professional actions and interact with integrity in the delivery of patient care.
- Analyze information from a variety of sources and apply evidence to nurse anesthesia practice based on sound principles.
The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by:
CCNE Statement
- The Baccalaureate and Master of Science in Nursing programs at Otterbein University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, located at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC., 20036-1120. The telephone number is 202-887-6791.
COA Statement
- The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational programs, 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL., 60068-4001. The telephone number is 847-692-7050.
Admission Standards (ADN to MSN Program)
The ADN to MSN Program provides a registered nurse with an opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Degree in one of two majors available in the MSN Program: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The nurse anesthesia major (Otterbein University/Grant Medical Center program) is not offered through the ADN to MSN program. The ADN to MSN Program is aimed at select registered nurses who have demonstrated high academic achievement and proven success in clinical settings. Applicants must hold a current unencumbered registered nurse license from Ohio and give evidence of the intellectual, academic and personal ability to succeed in graduate studies. Admission shall not be denied on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, marital or veteran status.
Application Criteria (ADN to MSN Program)
- Associate Degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency.
- Associate degree in nursing from a ACEN and/or CCNE accredited program in nursing.
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A blended cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 for all undergraduate course work is required.
- Congruence of the applicant’s goals with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Nursing Department.
- One year full-time, or part-time equivalent, RN work experience within the last five years is required.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.
Application Process (ADN to MSN Program)
Applicants must submit the following in order to be reviewed for full admission into the Graduate School:
- An online graduate nursing application or a paper application. Application deadlines are here.
- Official transcripts for ALL previous college and/or university work. Please note: Transcripts must be sent directly to The Graduate School from the post-secondary institution or mailed by student in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution. In both instances, the transcript should come in a letterhead envelope.
- Your Ohio RN license number on the application. The license number will be verified on the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) website and a copy of license verification will be added to file.
- Two completed Recommendation Forms (PDF) (preferably one from a nursing supervisor and one from faculty if you have been in school in the last 5 years).
- Professional resume.
- Appointment with Graduate Nursing Admissions Counselor. An brief paragraph response to one of several topics will be written during the appointment. Topics for the essay will be provided at the appointment.
Admission Process (ADN to MSN Program)
Applicants should complete the graduate application first and then send all other materials to the Graduate School. Please allow sufficient time for arrival of official transcripts. While many schools offer online ordering, some still require hard paper copy requests or only send out transcripts once or twice per week. It can take up to 10 days or 2 weeks for transcript orders to be processed by your alma maters. In order to ensure admission consideration, these materials must be submitted by the application deadline. Please contact the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 for specific application deadlines. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the ADN to MSN program. Letters of acceptance or denial are sent to the applicant’s home address from the Department of Nursing. Questions regarding the application process or admission status should be directed to the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
The ADN to MSN student must complete all prerequisite courses prior to admission to the program (see admission requirement ADN to MSN Program). Once admitted, the student is required to take transition courses: NURS 3000 OL (Theoretical Foundations in Nursing); NURS 3510 OL (Community Health Nursing); INST 2200 (Complete one course from Reflection & Responsibility category) before beginning MSN clinical courses in his/her selected major. Please see the Otterbein University Undergraduate Course Catalog for descriptions of INST 2200, NURS 3000 OL and NURS 3510 OL level courses.
Admission Requirements (ADN to MSN Program)
The ADN to MSN student must complete all prerequisites prior to admission to the program. Once admitted the student is required to take transition courses: NURS 3000 OL; NURS 3510 OL; INST 2200 (Complete one course from Reflection and Responsibility category, INST 2201-2205) before beginning MSN clinical courses in their selected major. Please see the Otterbein University Undergraduate Course Catalog for descriptions of courses.
Prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited college with a grade of C or higher. If the applicant has prerequisite courses which are not completed prior to the application deadline, the courses must be completed prior to fall entry into the program. An updated official transcript must be sent to the Graduate School upon course completion.
Prerequisite courses (to be completed prior to the start of the program) include:
- Composition & Literature (2 courses)
- Chemistry 1
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Anthropology/Sociology (either course)
- Statistics
Admission
Admission to the Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthesia programs is open to graduates of masters nursing programs from institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agencies and either ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Applicants must hold a current Ohio registered nurse license. (Nurse Anesthesia applicants may hold an unencumbered current US or recognized US territory registered nurse license from states other than Ohio). Admission shall not be denied on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, marital or veteran status.
Applications for admission will be reviewed once per year by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee. The most qualified applicants will be selected on a space-available basis.
Application Criteria: Post Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency.
- Baccalaureate degree from an ACEN and/or CCNE accredited undergraduate nursing program.
- Masters degree in nursing from an ACEN and/or CCNE accredited graduate nursing program.
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio and no previous revocations of licenses in any state.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 for all graduate studies is required.
- Congruence of the applicant’s goals with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Nursing Department.
- One year full-time or part-time equivalent nursing work experience within the last five years.
Application Process: Post Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Materials required for admission to the Post Masters Program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.
- Complete the graduate Application for Admission.
- Request official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended be sent to the Graduate School. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Give an Otterbein University Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form to two individuals who can support your application to pursue graduate studies (one reference from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact the recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
- Provide a current Ohio RN license number on the Application for Admission form. The Graduate School will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file.
- Optional but strongly encouraged: Schedule an appointment with the Nursing Admissions Advisor in the Graduate School for program information.
All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process: Post Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner)
To be considered for full admission in the Post Masters NP program, all admission materials must be submitted to the Graduate School according to the published deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline. Check with the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 or the website for admission deadlines.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into one of the Post Masters NP programs and may enroll in graduate course work. Admission and denial letters will be mailed by the Nursing Department to the applicant’s home address. Questions regarding the application process or admission status should be directed to the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
Application Criteria: Post Masters (Nurse Anesthesia)
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing and Master’s degree in nursing from institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and/or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the U.S. and no revocation of licensure in any state or country. Active Ohio RN license is required at the time of matriculation.
- Capacity for graduate study as demonstrated by:
- A blended cumulative GPA average of 3.0 or higher
- A blended undergraduate science course GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A grade of B or higher in an undergraduate statistics course
- Minimum of one (1) year full time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care unit within the last 5 years by the application deadline. (Experience in interpretation of invasive monitors, titration of vasoactive infusions, management of ventilated patients, and care of acutely ill patients. Operating room, PACU, emergency room, cath lab, and telemetry unit experience are not accepted as critical care experience). Flight nursing experience is accepted only if the applicant has prior ICU experience and actively manages patients on ventilators and vasoactive drips during transports.
- Current ACLS recognition.
- CCRN is required by the application deadline.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.
- Ability to articulate a clear understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role.
- (Optional) Submission of the Verification of Observation Form (observing a practicing CRNA or anesthesiologist in the Operating Room).
- Submission of the Practice Evaluation Form (to document critical care work experience).
- GRE is required by application deadline for applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.
Application Process: Post Masters (Nurse Anesthesia)
Materials required for admission to the Post Master’s program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.
Applicants must submit the following in order to be reviewed for full admission into the Graduate School:
- An online graduate nursing application or a paper application. Application deadlines are here.
- Official transcripts for ALL previous college and/or university work. Please note: Transcripts must be sent directly to Graduate School from the post-secondary institution or mailed by student in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution. In both instances, the transcript should come in a letterhead envelope.
- Two Recommendation Forms - one from a nursing supervisor and one from faculty if you have been in school in the last 5 years.
- Professional resume
- Personal essay (2-4 pages, typed). Describe your professional goals and how these goals will be achieved in the MSN program. Indicate how your past experiences and reflections have influenced these goals. Describe your understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role. Identify personal contributions that can be made to nursing and the greater community.
- Completed undergraduate statistics with a grade of B or better.
- (Optional) Completed Verification of Observation Form.
- Completed Practice Survey Form.
- Provide a current RN License number and state of licensure on the application form and no previous revocation of licensure from any state or country. Active Ohio RN license is required at the time of matriculation.
- Proof of current ACLS recognition.
- CCRN required by application deadline.
- GRE required by application deadline for applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.
All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process: Post Masters (Nurse Anesthesia)
To be considered for admission in the Post Masters NA program, all admission materials must be submitted to the Graduate School according to the published deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline. The Nurse Anesthesia Program receives more applications from qualified applicants than can be accepted. After reviewing the completed application packets, the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admission’s Committee invites approximately two to three applicants to interview for each available seat in the program. Applicants selected for an interview are notified 4-6 weeks after the application deadline and are scheduled for an interview within the following month.
The completed materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee and the Program Admission Committee to determine whether the applicant is admitted into the NA program. Applicants are notified of admission or denial by a letter sent to the home address. Questions about the admission process or admission status should be directed towards the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning
Post Masters Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia Programs transfer credit for graduate level course work will be considered if:
- The course work is evaluated by the Program Director of the Post-Masters Program and course faculty.
- The transcript and syllabus reflect graduate level course work from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and whose graduate nursing program is accredited by ACEN and/or CCNE.
- The content of the transfer course is equivalent to the course offered in the Otterbein University Post-Masters Program.
- The course has been taken within the previous five years.
- The course was completed with a grade of B or higher. The actual grade is not transferred and thus will not be included in the Otterbein grade point average.
- No more than 6 hours of graduate semester credit will be accepted as transfer credit.
- Credit for life/professional experiences is not granted for Post Masters Programs.
- Courses eligible for transfer credit are: NURS 5310, 5320 and 5330.
To request transfer credit, the student must submit the following information to the Program Director of the Post-Masters Program after admission to the program:
- A letter describing what transfer credit is being sought.
- Syllabus of graduate course for which transfer credit is being sought.
The Post Masters Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia Programs offer students the opportunity to obtain proficiency credit for NURS 5320.
- The proficiency exam consists of a written exam on assessment content and the demonstration of a history and physical.
- The written exam must be passed before the candidate is eligible to perform the history and physical.
- The candidate must achieve a minimum of 80% on both components of the exam.
- The candidate may take the proficiency exam only once.
- The student must make an appointment with the course coordinator for any component of the exam, at least two weeks prior to the exam date.
- The candidate must pre-register in the Nursing Office using the “Proficiency Exam Registration Form”, two weeks before the exam date.
- A non-refundable fee for the proficiency exam must be paid in the nursing office at the time of pre-registration.
Residence Requirement
To meet the residency requirement, students in the Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Anesthesia Programs must take all clinical courses.
Program Completion
A candidate for the Post Masters NP certificate must complete the following:
- Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Program
28 semester hours of required graduate course work or its equivalent in the Post Masters FNP program.
The Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program at Otterbein University provides the nurse an opportunity for advanced nursing practice in family primary care. The coursework prepares students to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification Exam for Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Post Masters Nurse Anesthesia Program
63 semester hours of required graduate course work or its equivalent in the Post Masters NA program.
The Post Masters Nurse Anesthesia Program at Otterbein University provides the nurse an opportunity for advanced nursing practice in nurse anesthesia. The coursework prepares students to sit for the certification exam certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.
Curriculum Objectives: Post Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Upon completion of the Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program, the graduate will:
- Synthesize theories and research from the physical and behavioral sciences relevant to primary care advanced nursing practice.
- Incorporate a caring framework in applying the nursing process with healthy families and those with acute or chronic problems.
- Perform comprehensive health assessments utilizing a research-based practice, principles of problem-oriented data collection, concepts of epidemiology, therapeutic communication, history-taking skills, techniques of assessment and pertinent diagnostic data.
- Interpret data to identify excesses, norms and deficits of individuals in a variety of health care settings.
- Perform holistic, continuous, comprehensive and individualized primary health care to clients and families that includes anticipatory guidance appropriate for age/developmental status through the health/illness continuum.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability and efficacy.
- Implement primary care management strategies with acute and chronic needs and problems.
- Evaluate one’s own performance in the independent, collaborative and multifaceted aspects of the advanced practice nursing role in primary care.
- Examine the legal, political, ethical, financial and professional aspects of the nurse practitioner role.
Curriculum Objectives: Post Masters (Nurse Anesthesia)
In addition to meeting the objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing Program (see Graduate Studies in Nursing Handbook), graduates of the Nurse Anesthesia program will be able to:
- Protect patients from harm during all phases of anesthesia management.
- Design, administer, and manage patient-specific anesthesia care for individuals of all ages and physical conditions undergoing a variety of elective and non-elective surgical and diagnostic procedures.
- Demonstrate competency in utilizing a variety of anesthesia techniques, agents, adjunctive drugs, and equipment while providing anesthesia services.
- Use critical thinking to anticipate and solve problems, make decisions and apply knowledge from the arts and sciences to practice.
- Use effective written, verbal, and nonverbal skills to communicate with patients, families and other healthcare providers in the delivery of anesthesia services.
- Assume responsibility and accountability for professional actions and interact with integrity in the delivery of patient care.
- Analyze information from a variety of sources and apply evidence to Nurse Anesthesia practice based on sound principles.
Admission Standards: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
Admission to the Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program is open to graduates of baccalaureate and masters nursing programs from institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agencies and either ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Applicants must hold a current Ohio registered nurse license. Admission shall not be denied on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, marital or veteran status.
*Master students may take Post Master Nurse Educator courses, but the certificate is not awarded until MSN degree conferred.
Applications for admission will be reviewed annually by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee. The most qualified applicants will be selected on a space-available basis. Candidates that do not meet all the admission criteria, but who wish to be considered for admission must submit a petition requesting special consideration along with their application materials.
Application Criteria: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
- Baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency.
- Baccalaureate degree from an ACEN and/or CCNE accredited undergraduate nursing program.
- Master’s degree in nursing from an ACEN and/or CCNE accredited graduate nursing program.
- Current licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A blended cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate studies is required.
- Congruence of the applicant’s goals with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Nursing Department.
- One year full-time or part-time equivalent nursing work experience within the last five years.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay.
Application Process: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
Materials required for admission to the Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.
- Complete the graduate Application for Admission.
- Submit official transcript for all previous college and/or university work.
- Give an Otterbein University Graduate Nursing recommendation form to two individuals that can support your application to pursue graduate studies (one reference from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
All admission materials, including transcripts, must be submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
To be considered for full admission in the Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator program, all admission materials must be submitted to the Graduate School according to the published deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator program and may enroll in graduate course work. Questions regarding the application process or admission status should be directed to the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning
Post Masters Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia Programs transfer credit for graduate level course work will be considered if:
- The course work is evaluated by the Department of Nursing Curriculum Committee and course faculty.
- The transcript and syllabus reflect graduate level course work from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and whose graduate nursing program is accredited by ACEN and/or CCNE.
- The content of the transfer course is equivalent to the course offered in the Otterbein University Post-Masters Program.
- The course has been taken within the previous five years.
- The course was completed with a grade of B or higher. The actual grade is not transferred and thus will not be included in the Otterbein grade point average.
- No more than 6 hours of graduate semester credit will be accepted as transfer credit.
- Credit for life/professional experiences is not granted for Post Masters Programs.
- Courses eligible for transfer credit are: NURS 5310, 5320 and 5330.
To request transfer credit, the relevant transcript needs to be on file and the student must submit the following information to the Department of Nursing Curriculum Committee after admission to the program:
- A letter describing what transfer credit is being sought.
- Syllabus of graduate course for which transfer credit is being sought.
The Post Masters Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia Programs offer students the opportunity to obtain proficiency credit for NURS 5320.
- The proficiency exam consists of a written exam on assessment content and the demonstration of a history and physical.
- The written exam must be passed before the candidate is eligible to perform the history and physical.
- The candidate must achieve a minimum of 80% on both components of the exam.
- The candidate may take the proficiency exam only once.
- The student must make an appointment with the course coordinator for any component of the exam, at least two weeks prior to the exam date.
- The candidate must pre-register in the Nursing Office using the “Proficiency Exam Registration Form”, two weeks before the exam date.
- A non-refundable fee for the proficiency exam must be paid in the nursing office at the time of pre-registration.
Residence Requirement
To meet the residency requirement, students in the Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Anesthesia Programs must take all clinical courses.
Program Completion
A candidate for the Post Masters NP certificate must complete the following:
The Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program at Otterbein University provides the nurse an opportunity for advanced nursing practice in family primary care. The coursework prepares students to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification Exam for Family Nurse Practitioner.
The Post Masters Nurse Anesthesia Program at Otterbein University provides the nurse an opportunity for advanced nursing practice in nurse anesthesia. The coursework prepares students to sit for the certification exam certified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Program Completion: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
A candidate for the Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator certificate of program completion must complete all required graduate course work in the Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator program. If a student completes the Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program while a graduate student, the certificate of completion for the Advance Practice Nurse Educator Program will be given at the time of graduation from the MSN Program.
Curriculum: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
The Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program at Otterbein University provides the nurse an opportunity for advanced practice as an educator in nursing education, staff development and/or patient education programs. A certificate of completion is awarded when program requirements are met.
Curriculum Objectives: Post Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Upon completion of the Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program, the graduate will:
- Synthesize theories and research from the physical and behavioral sciences relevant to primary care advanced nursing practice.
- Incorporate a caring framework in applying the nursing process with healthy families and those with acute or chronic problems.
- Perform comprehensive health assessments utilizing a research-based practice, principles of problem-oriented data collection, concepts of epidemiology, therapeutic communication, history-taking skills, techniques of assessment and pertinent diagnostic data.
- Interpret data to identify excesses, norms and deficits of individuals in a variety of health care settings.
- Perform holistic, continuous, comprehensive and individualized primary health care to clients and families that includes anticipatory guidance appropriate for age/developmental status through the health/illness continuum.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability and efficacy.
- Implement primary care management strategies with acute and chronic needs and problems.
- Evaluate one’s own performance in the independent, collaborative and multifaceted aspects of the advanced practice nursing role in primary care.
- Examine the legal, political, ethical, financial and professional aspects of the nurse practitioner role.
Curriculum Objectives: Post Masters (Nurse Anesthesia)
In addition to meeting the objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing Program (see Graduate Studies in Nursing Handbook), graduates of the Nurse Anesthesia program will be able to:
- Protect patients from harm during all phases of anesthesia management.
- Design, administer, and manage patient-specific anesthesia care for individuals of all ages and physical conditions undergoing a variety of elective and non-elective surgical and diagnostic procedures.
- Demonstrate competency in utilizing a variety of anesthesia techniques, agents, adjunctive drugs, and equipment while providing anesthesia services.
- Use critical thinking to anticipate and solve problems, make decisions and apply knowledge from the arts and sciences to practice.
- Use effective written, verbal, and nonverbal skills to communicate with patients, families and other healthcare providers in the delivery of anesthesia services.
- Assume responsibility and accountability for professional actions and interact with integrity in the delivery of patient care.
- Analyze information from a variety of sources and apply evidence to Nurse Anesthesia practice based on sound principles.
Curriculum Objectives: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
Upon completion of the Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program, the graduate will:
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing education and relevant fields of study as a basis for nursing education and professional development.
- Use the nursing process to perform the independent, collaborative and multifaceted functions of the nurse educator.
- Demonstrate critical thinking when making decisions regarding the delivery of quality, cost-effective educational programs.
- Analyze the legal, political, ethical, social, cultural, financial and professional functions of the nurse educator role.
- Examine health issues and health care delivery systems and their implications for nursing education, professional development, and/or client education programs.
- Provide nursing leadership within health care and nursing education systems in the advanced nurse educator role.
- Integrate caring behaviors and patterns into the advanced nurse educator role.
- Extend the body of nursing knowledge through systematic inquiry.
Curriculum: Post Masters (Advanced Practice Nurse Educator)
The Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program at Otterbein University provides the nurse an opportunity for advanced practice as an educator in nursing education, staff development and/or patient education programs. A certificate of completion is awarded when program requirements are met.
Admission Standards: DNP Program
Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is open to graduates of institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by appropriate regional accrediting agencies, graduates of ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and/or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs. Applicants must show evidence of the intellectual, academic, and personal ability to succeed in graduate studies. Admission shall not be denied on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, marital status or veteran status. Applications for admission will be reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee and some will be invited to interview. The most qualified applicants will be selected on a space-available basis. It may be necessary for some students to take undergraduate or graduate courses to meet prerequisites of selected graduate courses. Candidates who do not meet all of the admission criteria, but who wish to be considered for admission must submit a petition requesting special consideration along with their application materials.
Application Criteria: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Advanced Practice Focus
- Master’s degree in nursing with role preparation in Advanced Nursing Practice from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and either ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the state where the practice project and immersion hours will be conducted.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate course work.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and faculty interview. Applicant’s goals are congruent with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Department of Nursing.
- One year full-time or part-time equivalent to full-time nursing work experience within the last five years in an advanced practice role.
- Resume with all professional experiences documented.
- Three recommendations from individuals who can support the applicant’s potential for functioning in the DNP role.
- National certification as an advanced practice nurse is required for CRNA, CNP, CNS, and CNM roles; preferred for other roles.
- Graduate level nursing research course is required; graduate level statistics course is recommended.
Nurse Executive Focus
- Must have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing (from an accredited institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and either ACEN or CCNE), and a master’s degree in a health-related field or an MBA (from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency).
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the state where practice project and immersion hours will be conducted.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate course work.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals, and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and faculty interview. Applicant’s goals are congruent with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Department of Nursing.
- One year of full-time or part-time equivalent to full-time nursing work experience within the last five years in a nursing administration or executive role.
- Resume with all professional experiences documented.
- Three recommendations from individuals who can support the applicant’s potential for functioning in the DNP role.
- National certification in nursing administration preferred.
- Graduate level research course is required; graduate level statistics course is recommended
Application Process: DNP Program
- Submit an application. Apply online or complete a paper DNP Application (PDF). Application deadlines are here.
- Request that official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended to be sent to the Graduate School. (All schools, regardless of number of courses taken.)
- Submit three recommendation forms from individuals who can support the applicant’s potential for functioning in the DNP role. At least one should be from a nursing professor. (A recommendation from a current Otterbein graduate student will not be considered). Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to acknowledge receipt of recommendations.
- Submit a resume with all professional experience documented.
- Submit a 3-4 page typewritten essay. The essay should: summarize professional background, discuss professional goals and how these goals can be achieved in the DNP Program. This essay should describe a transformational change project that may form the basis for the DNP Clinical Scholarly Project. This essay should be carefully prepared and edited by the applicant because it is considered an important component of the admission application.
- Provide a current RN license number. Attach a copy of the national specialty certificate. The Graduate School will verify current RN licensure. A copy of the license and other relevant state authorizations will be added to the student file.
All admission materials including transcripts must be postmarked by February 15 and submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process: DNP Program
Applicants should complete the graduate application first and then send all other materials to the Graduate School. Please allow sufficient time for arrival of official transcripts. While many schools offer online ordering, some still require hard paper copy requests or only send out transcripts once or twice per week. It can take up to 10 days or 2 weeks for transcript orders to be processed by your alma maters. To ensure admission consideration, these materials must be submitted by the application deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the DNP program. Select candidates will be invited for an interview with nursing faculty. Letters of admission or denial are sent to the applicant’s home address from the Department of Nursing. Questions about the admission process or admission status should be directed towards the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.
Curriculum: DNP Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares expert advanced practice nurses and nurse executives to provide health care and leadership using a holistic caring framework in an increasingly complex environment. The program develops advanced practice nurses and nurse executives committed to scholarly evidence-based practice, innovation, testing of care delivery models, and evaluation of health outcomes for the good of all members of society. The development of clinical, organizational, economic and leadership skills to design, implement and evaluate programs of care delivery allows students to impact health outcomes positively and transform health care. Students will gain knowledge and skill sets to promote positive health outcomes for individuals and populations, to lead nursing and health care organizations and to influence health policy.
The Advanced Practice Nursing Focus prepares nurses to develop additional competencies in direct practice. They assess, manage, and evaluate patients at the most independent level of clinical nursing practice. They make diagnostic and practice management decisions based on practice expertise and specialized knowledge.
The Nurse Executive Focus prepares nurses to view health systems as businesses, including macro financial management, cost/benefit analysis of innovation, and writing business plans that allow DNP Nurse Executive graduates to partner fully with physicians and other health care professionals in redesigning health care.
Curriculum Objectives: DNP Program
The Otterbein Doctor of Nursing Practice is able to:
Integrate nursing science with knowledge from the natural and social sciences as a basis for the highest level of nursing practice;
- Provide organizational and systems leadership in APN roles to improve patient and healthcare outcomes, through advocacy and implementation of management and quality improvement strategies;
- Provide leadership for evidence based practice, through translation of research for practice, dissemination of research findings, application of research findings, implementation of quality improvement methodologies, evaluation of practice outcomes and participation in collaborative research;
- Demonstrate proficiency in the utilization and evaluation of information systems technology resources for knowledge application, management of individual and aggregate data and quality improvement;
- Provide leadership in the analysis, development, implementation and evaluation of health care policies, congruent with advocacy for social justice, equity and ethics in global health care;
- Employ effective communication collaboration and leadership skills with individuals, groups and teams to facilitate problem solving and team functioning for improvement in health care and health care delivery;
- Analyze epidemiological, bio-statistical, environmental and other appropriate data for developing, implementing and evaluating clinical prevention and population health interventions;
- Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating therapeutic interventions to improve patient and/or healthcare outcomes;
- Analyze the legal political, ethical economic and professional functions of the APN; and
- Integrate caring behaviors and patterns including cultural competence and attention to underserved regional and global individuals and groups into APN roles.
CCNE Statement:
The Otterbein Doctor of Nursing Practice is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, located at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC., 20036-1120. The telephone number is 202-887-6791.
International/Non-Citizen Applicant Admission:
In addition to all of the materials listed above, international and non-citizen applicants must also submit a Supplemental Application for Admission.
