Old Dominion University Online MSN Programs: NP, Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist

• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator
• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
• MSN – Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Nurse-Midwifery
• MSN – Nurse-Midwifery (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
• MSN – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)
• MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree)

The College of Health Sciences School of Nursing through Old Dominion University (ODU) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with eight advanced practice registered nursing specializations:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator (AGCNS)
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS)
• Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (NCNS)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Nurse-Midwifery (NM)

There are two entry points: one for those with a BSN, and one for RN’s with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Coursework is delivered 100% online with varying campus visit requirements depending on the path chosen. Most specializations require five campus visits. The Nurse-Midwifery track does not require campus visits. Students also complete clinical practicums at approved facilities local to the student.

The FNP, PMHNP, and NM specializations are only offered on a full-time basis. The PMHNP and Nurse-Midwifery programs are joint programs with Shenandoah University. The first year of course are taken through ODU and the second year specialization courses through Shenandoah. Upon graduation, Old Dominion University awards the MSN, and a certificate of PMHNP or nurse-midwifery specialty is awarded through Shenandoah.

The other five specializations are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. Courses are delivered in a combination of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Live online classes usually take place Thursday mornings.

Graduates of each MSN specialization are eligible to take the corresponding national certification exam.

Old Dominion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). ODU is located in Norfolk, Virginia.

What to Expect from the Old Dominion University Online Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in their state of residence with at least one year of nursing work experience. Prerequisites include undergraduate physical assessment or health assessment course and undergraduate statistics. In addition, applicants must hold a BSN or must be RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The GRE or GMAT is required for students with lower than a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

Application materials include three letters of recommendation, an essay, proof of RN licensure, and a completed application including official transcripts. Other requirements may include physical exams, immunizations, liability insurance, CPR certification, drug screening, and a background check.

State Restrictions: The ODU MSN programs are not offered in the state of Washington. In addition, Old Dominion University has determined that the MSN programs meet licensure requirements only in the state of Virginia except for the PNP specialization which also meets licensure requirements in Michigan, and the PMHNP track which also meets licensure requirements in South Dakota. All other states are listed as undetermined. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the program meets state licensure requirements in their chosen state of practice. ODU is an NC-SARA participant.

Study Plan: The FNP, PMHNP, and Nurse-Midwifery specializations are only offered full-time. The other tracks have full-time and part-time study options. The nursing programs begin in the Fall only. Students in the Nurse-Midwifery track do not have campus visit requirements. All other specializations require five campus visits. Students also complete clinical preceptorships at approved locations and are encouraged to figure out clinical placements before the programs begin or at least three months in advance of the clinical course. The full-time plans are designed to be completed in two years. Part-time plan completion times vary. Students should expect to spend three to six hours per week per credit on coursework.

MSN Curriculum: Courses for all specializations include Evidence-Based Research and Theories for Nursing Practice; Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing; Ethical Concepts of Advanced Practice Nursing; Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice; Physical Assessment for Advanced Nurse; Introduction to Health Care Disparities, Vulnerable Populations, and Epidemiology; and the Business of Advanced Nursing Practice.

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): This program requires completion of 49 credits and 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Primary Care Approaches for Children; Family and Community Primary Care Assessment; Advanced Family Nursing I: Management of Acute Illnesses; Advanced Family Nursing I-III Practicum; Aging in the 21st Century; Health Promotion and Maintenance Advanced Family Nursing II: Management of Chronic Illnesses; and Primary Care Approaches for Women.
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): This program requires completion of 49 credits and 560 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Primary Care Approaches for Children; Family and Community Primary Care Assessment; Health Promotion and Maintenance; Advanced Pediatric: Practicum I-III Primary Care; The Growth and Development of Children in the 21st Century; Management of Acute Pediatric Conditions I; Management of Acute/Critical Pediatric Conditions II; and Seminar in Pediatrics: Management of Chronic and Complex Clinical Conditions.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP): This program requires completion of 49 credits and 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Newborn Assessment; Developmental Neonatal Physiology; Foundations of Advanced Neonatal Care; Pharmacology for Advanced Neonatal Care; Advanced Neonatal Care: High-Risk Management I-II; Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum I-III; and Seminar in Pediatrics: Management of Chronic and Complex Neonatal Problems.
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator (AGCNS): This program requires completion of 46-49 credits and 504 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Instructional Delivery Methods and Learner Assessment; Aging in the 21st Century; Nursing Curricular Design and Program Evaluation; Educator Internship: Classroom Instruction; Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Introduction to Practice; Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Role Socialization; Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Transition to Practice; Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II: Role Transition; and Health Promotion and Maintenance.
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS): This program requires completion of 50 credits and 504 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Primary Care Approaches for Children; Family and Community Primary Care Assessment; Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Introduction to Practice; Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Role Socialization; Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Transition to Practice; Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II: Role Transition; Health Promotion and Maintenance; The Growth and Development of Children in the 21st Century; Management of Acute Pediatric Conditions I; and Management of Acute/Critical Pediatric Conditions II.
• Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (NCNS): This program requires completion of 46-49 credits and 504 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Introduction to Practice; Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Role Socialization; Developmental Neonatal Physiology; Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Transition to Practice; Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II: Role Transition; Foundations of Advanced Neonatal Care; Pharmacology for Advanced Neonatal Care; Advanced Neonatal Care: High-Risk Management I-II.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): This program requires completion of 50 credits and 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Health Promotion and Maintenance; Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology; Foundations of Psychotherapy; Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult Practicum; Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent; Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric; Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan Practicum; Substance snd Relationship Abuse; snd Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum. The second year of these courses is taken through Shenandoah University.
• Nurse-Midwifery (NM): This program requires completion of 45 credits plus the required clinical hours. Specialty courses include Aging in the 21st Century; Health Promotion and Maintenance; Primary Care of Women; Comprehensive Antepartal Care; Midwifery Practicum; Comprehensive Perinatal Care; Integrated Midwifery Program; Evidence-Based Practice Project; and Advanced Nurse-Midwifery Role Development. The second year of these courses is taken through Shenandoah University. This program may increase by six credits in the near future.

Online Experience: Courses offered through ODU are delivered through the Blackboard online learning management system (LMS). Those offered through joint programs with Shenandoah University are delivered through Canvas. Some courses require attendance at live video streams which typically take place on Thursday mornings. Other course material is delivered asynchronously. Students may collaborate with classmates and faculty through online tools and email. Tests are administered through Blackboard utilizing a focus-only web blocker.

Certain courses such as Advanced Physical Assessment, Aging in the 21st Century, and clinical courses require campus visits, usually once per semester. As well students may need to come to the Virginia Beach campus for a comprehensive exam. Online student services include admissions counseling, academic advising, career counseling, faculty office hours, technical support, and tutoring services.

On-Site Requirements: Old Dominion University online students come to the Virginia Beach campus in Norfolk, VA, about once per semester for intensive learning and a comprehensive exam. Typically this equals five campus visits. The nurse-midwifery specialization does not require any campus visits. Students are also welcome to visit campus and participate in campus graduation.