Ferris Ranked ‘Best Online Graduate Nursing Program’ by U.S. News and World Report!
It is my pleasure as the Director of the School of Nursing to welcome you to our website
and to tell you about the exciting innovations and accomplishments of this exceptional
academic unit within the College of Health Professions at Ferris State University.
These are exciting and challenging times for the nursing profession and the FSU School
of Nursing is dedicated to the preparation of nurses at both the undergraduate (BSN)
and graduate (MSN) levels who can be leaders of change for the profession and as a
result help to shape contemporary health care delivery. Increased competition and
an ever-expanding consumer demand have created exceptionally attractive career opportunities
for well-educated nurses. Nursing is the largest health care profession with workforce
shortages anticipated for the next two decades. Earnings are above average, particularly
for the advanced practice nurses who have additional education and certifications.
The nursing programs at Ferris State University have historically provided career mobility options for students who aspire to an initial career in nursing as well as for nurses who are seeking advanced degrees at the BSN and MSN levels. The original associate degree pre-licensure program that was established at Ferris in the late 1960’s has now evolved to a BSN pre-licensure program that began with the first cohort admitted in the fall 2007 semester. This new and innovative curriculum offers a six semester professional sequence track for traditional nursing students as well as an accelerated three semester professional sequence for students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree in another field. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Ferris are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
For Registered Nurses who were originally prepared at the associate degree or diploma level, the RN to BSN program continues to provide a consumer friendly upper division program that is now offered fully online as well as in multiple geographic sites around the state. This program was recently revised to align with the new generic BSN program as well as to create a more responsive curriculum for the unique population of registered nurses served by the program. Both of the BSN programs are fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC), which is a measure of academic excellence.
There are many opportunities for nurses with experience and a BSN degree. Traditionally a field that provided a constant number of nursing career opportunities, health care is now growing at an unprecedented rate. Driven by technological developments, rapid advancements in disease prevention and health promotion, increased public awareness of health concerns and a booming aging population, this field offers you a wide variety of job openings, ranging from traditional but expanded patient care to health care administration.
The graduate (MSN) program in nursing is a 100% online program designed to provide a learner centered curriculum that prepares nurses with the knowledge and skills needed for a variety of advanced specialty roles. The MSN program offers three concentrations in areas of high demand for specialty leadership roles: nursing administration, nursing informatics and nursing education. The MSN program is also fully accredited by the NLNAC.
You should know that the faculty in the School of Nursing are exceptional teachers and role models for professional nursing practice, as they are active in their professional organizations, their scholarship and service endeavors and their creative approaches to the teaching and learning environment. The nursing faculty are constantly engaged in program evaluation and assessment of student earning in an effort to assure relevance and quality in all of the undergraduate and graduate programs offered at Ferris.
Undergraduate students in the School of Nursing have many opportunities to engage in meaningful learning experiences that will prepare them to become professional nurses who will work to advance the profession of nursing. These learning experiences include but are not limited to active membership in the Ferris Student Nurse Association (FSNA), a variety of service learning experiences and the opportunity to study abroad to experience nursing and health care in another country.
Graduate students in the School of Nursing engage in scholarly projects and practicum experiences that are relevant to the advanced specialty role they have selected, with many graduates entering doctoral programs upon completion of the MSN. Some students elect to complete the graduate certificate in nursing education to support a previous MSN degree as an entrée to the academic setting.
Ferris nursing graduates are employed in a wide variety of health care settings in diverse practice roles. We are proud to know that our graduates are a significant part of the nursing workforce, as well as leaders within the profession. Nursing is a challenging and rewarding career and we are educating professional nurses to meet that challenge. If you want to be a nurse, apply for one of our programs and join the ranks of FSU alumni who are making significant contributions to society by providing expert nursing care.
I encourage you to visit our web site often for the latest news about FSU’s School of Nursing. Whether you are seeking a program to become a Registered Nurse or are a RN interested in an advanced BS or MS degree in nursing or a graduate certificate in nursing education, come see all that the Ferris State University School of Nursing has to offer.
Julie Coon, Julie Coon, RN, MSN, EdD
Director of the School of Nursing
