SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind –  Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) has announced the addition of a master’s degree in nursing to its graduate studies offerings starting this fall.

The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP) degree program, anticipated to begin in August, is designed to prepare registered nurses for a career as a family nurse practitioner. The three-year, part time program requires 44 credit hours of coursework and 500 clinical hours. Students will attend classes on campus once a week.

Research shows that rural areas, particularly in the counties surrounding SMWC — Clay, Greene, Parke and Sullivan counties in Indiana —are lacking in full time care from nurse practitioners. “There’s a tremendous need for nurse practitioners in both urban and rural settings,” said Marcia Miller, Ph.D., chair of the nursing department. “Nurse practitioners will play a vital role in healthcare for U.S. citizens to have a more effective, more efficient and more cost-savings model.”

Employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow 31 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than average for all occupations. Growth will occur primarily because of an increased emphasis on preventive care and demand for healthcare services from the aging population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The majority of family nurse practitioners work in primary care settings, ambulatory healthcare services, schools and clinics.

The MSN/FNP is a valuable addition to the SMWC nursing department. Through its bachelor of science in nursing degree, the department is educating the next generation of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and through its RN to BSN program, allows current registered nurses a path to completing their bachelor’s degrees. Nursing is the fastest growing major at SMWC. The bachelor’s degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

 

The program is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission. To apply, visit https://www.smwc.edu/academics/departments/graduate-studies/master-science-nursing/