Ohio Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
As a family nurse practitioner (FNP) in Ohio, you can practice in the diagnosis of illness and treatment of patients in various settings of care. As an advanced nurse practitioner, you may also practice prescriptive authority with the collaboration of a physician. With the increased access of Ohioans to healthcare due to reform, the shortage of primary care physicians and an existing underserved rural population, the communities of Ohio are counting on their nurse practitioners to provide primary care and fill-in the healthcare gap. As reported by USA Today, Ohio has joined with 28 states across the country to free FNPs from current restrictions of practice.
To advance your career and become a part of the exciting primary care landscape in Ohio with your Nurse Practitioner degree, take some time find the schools you are interested in on this page, and request program materials from them all.
Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum in Ohio
As a registered nurse in Ohio, you have an extraordinary opportunity to pursue an advanced degree as a nurse practitioner of family health. The path begins with a state-approved graduate program that prepares you as a primary care provider for patients of all ages across the lifespan.
Your program of study prepares you to practice as an independent diagnostician, treatment provider and perform preventative care and patient education. With an array of course schedules and program tracks that conform to your specific needs, you may select an FNP program from several options such as:
• RN to master’s degree in FNP
• BSN to master’s FNP program
• MSN to FNP graduate certificate or doctoral program
• Non-nursing degree to master’s FNP degree
Clinical experiences are integrated into the program of study to provide you with the experience to perform as an independent practitioner of primary care.
Unlike physicians, who are trained to work with medical protocols to treat disease, FNPs use their nursing experience, assessment skills and scientific knowledge to provide treatment with a holistic approach to care. Your program of study provides core courses that train you to build on existing knowledge and prepares you for the transition into an independent role.
Classes in your curriculum may include subjects such as:
- Integration of theoretical and clinical nursing models explores the process of primary care in the community and diverse populations
- Advanced pharmacology prepares you to assume prescriptive drug authority and manage drug therapy for acute and chronic conditions
- Advanced health assessment and clinical reasoning provide the knowledge and skill required to diagnose disease, conditions and perform appropriate health interventions
- Mental health assessment prepares you to manage patients who experience the difficulties of co-occurring health issues and the effects of mental illness on self-care
- Clinical practicum for the care of the family explore the effects of family, populations and community dynamics on health outcomes and primary care
Although part time programs of study may vary in length, most students can graduate from full-time study in two to three years. In addition, Ohio requires FNPs to complete a national certifying exam for certification.
Financing your Family Nurse Practitioner Program in Ohio
The Affordable Care Act (2010) has anticipated the physician shortage and has made various provisions to support FNPs with incentives for tuition reimbursement, scholarships and financial aid programs. For FNPs that practice in medically underserved areas of care, the Health Resources and Service Administration has provided reimbursement programs, monthly assistance with costs of living stipends and school loan forgiveness incentives.
Family Nurse Practitioner Careers in Ohio
According to the Dayton Daily News, Ohio is in a primary care crisis with an expectation of a shortage of 5,000 primary care physicians by 2020. As a graduate FNP, you may realize the limitless, lucrative opportunities that are available to you in an array of areas of care.
Numerous openings are available to FNPs in Ohio such as:
- Nurse-managed clinics
- University and college campus health clinics
- Hospitals, medical and urgent care centers
- Medical and pharmacological research positions
- Children’s hospitals and specialty areas of care
- Physician practices and medical groups
- Rural health and community-based centers
- Retail health and occupational settings in corporations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012, FNPs enjoyed a median salary of $87,990. With the strong support and research of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, legislation continues to strive to provide the full practice authority that FNPs require to effectively deliver primary care in their communities.
With the evolution of FNPs in an era of healthcare reform, the shortage of primary care physicians and financial incentives to fund your degree, this is an excellent time to pursue your FNP program.
