University of Akron Nursing School Review
The University of Akron (UA) was founded in 1967 and has since then provided nothing but an excellent curriculum of various educational programs. There are more than 100 faculty members, half of which have doctoral degrees and others of which have completed their doctoral studies and have earned practice specialty certifications.
University of Akron – The College of Nursing
The University of Akron’s College of Nursing provides clinical experiences in various settings, with diverse patients and including a wide range of healthcare options overall. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the university is under review at the moment.
This program has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has been approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Undergraduate Programs
Baccalaureate Program (BSN)
This program takes roughly 130 hours to complete and nursing majors will be prioritized depending on their science GPA.
To apply, students need to have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a minimum grade of C in every prerequisite course. Pre-nursing students who do not complete their science prerequisite courses the first time can repeat the courses a second time. However, they will not be allowed to re-take the courses for the third time until five years have gone by since the last time they were re-taken.
Second Degree BSN (Accelerated BSN)
Students who have already completed another baccalaureate program, but wish to get a nursing degree afterwards can take this program. In general, this program takes four semesters and around 96 credit hours to complete. It consists of nurse services and hospital visits, as well as clinical experiences in various healthcare settings.
To apply, students need to have a baccalaureate degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. They will also need to submit copies of their transcripts along with two recommendation letters, a personal statement and a resume. Aside from that, students will need to complete all of the prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 before starting the course, as well.
Graduates will get a baccalaureate degree in nursing upon completing all of the requirements.
BSN for Registered Nurses (RNs) Sequence
The BSN for RN program has both full-time and part-time options available for students depending on their personal needs and exists especially for RNs who already have bachelor degrees, but what to get a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
This program takes three full-time semesters to complete. Students also have the option to portfolio their experience in place of a clinical and won’t have to take any challenge exams.
To apply, students will need to have a valid RN license in Ohio and a minimum GPA of 2.75 in every prerequisite course. They will also need to maintain a minimum grade of C in every prerequisite course in order to stay in the program.
BSN for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Sequence
The BSN for LPN program exists especially for LPNs who have already have a bachelor’s degree, but still want to get a baccalaureate degree in nursing. It includes various learning activities, which build on each student’s prior experience and knowledge.
After all of the prerequisites have been completed, this program will take two and a half full-time years of around 130 credit hours to complete. Students can follow a part-time curriculum, though, if they’d prefer, and they will be given credit by exam for any previous experience as LPNs.
To apply, students will need to be graduates of an LPN program and have a valid LPN license, a minimum grade of C in every prerequisite course and a minimum GPA of 2.5. They will also need to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in every prerequisite and science course.
Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
This program consists of various advanced role specialties and practice specializations for advanced nursing roles, like nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator, or nurse anesthesist. It also focuses on two particular dimensions – core courses and specialization courses – and is especially designed for working RNs.
To apply, students will need to have a valid RN license in Ohio and a minimum GPA of 3.0. They will also need to complete all of the prerequisite courses and an interview with the faculty, and submit an essay and three reference letters.
Advanced Practice Options
Adult/Gerontological Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
This option prepares its students to manage and provide advanced nursing care for people with complicated health conditions. Students who choose this option can either specialize in gerontological health nursing or adult health nursing.
Students who take gerontological nursing will be able to take the certification exam for Gerontological CNS and students who take adult health nursing will be able to take the certification exam for Medical/Surgical CNS through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Adult/Gerontological Nursing Nurse Practitioner (NP)
This option prepares its students to provide healthcare to people in various healthcare settings under the supervision of actual physician preceptors and nurse practitioners.
This option takes 47 credit hours to complete and students will need to complete at least 500 hours of clinical practice before they can take the national certification examination as an adult NP or gerontological NP. Completing this option will allow students to become Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs).
To apply, students will need to have a valid RN license in Ohio, three recommendation letters, a minimum of a year of nursing experience in a gerontological or adult healthcare setting, and a BSN degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. They will also need to complete every prerequisite course and an interview with a faculty member of this option.
A post-MSN certificate also exists for this particular track.
Child/Adolescent Acute/Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
This option prepares its students to provide acute or primary healthcare to children in various settings.
Graduates of this option will be able to take the certification from the ANCC to become Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Psychiatric Mental Health/Family Nurse Practitioner
These options prepare their students to provide mental healthcare to those in need in various settings and includes core courses in information management, theory, health policies, research, and pathophysiology.
Graduates of this option will be able to take three certification exams from the ANCC: Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Nurse Anesthesia
This option prepares its students to provide anesthesia care to patients who need to go through obstetrical and surgical procedures, as well as provide the skills that RNs need to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesists (CRNAs).
This program takes 60 credit hours and 27 months to complete and includes advanced pathophysiology, advanced physiology, core graduate nursing, chemistry, anesthesiology, physics and pharmacology courses.
To apply, students will need to be graduates of a baccalaureate nursing program and have a BSN, a valid ACLS certificate, a valid license in Ohio, a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum of one year of adult critical care experience. They will also need to have a minimum of 8 hours in the shadow of an actual CRNA and submit various coursework transcripts.
Graduates of this option will be able to take the National Certification Examination to become CRNAs.
Nursing Services Administration
This option prepares its students for work in healthcare environments with community, acute, and long-term orientations.
MSN for RN Sequence
The MSN for RN program exists especially for nurses who want to get a baccalaureate degree in nursing and prepare for advanced nursing roles, like nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator, or nurse anesthesist.
This program takes three full-time semesters to complete. Students also have the option to portfolio their experience in place of a clinical and won’t have to take any challenge exams.
To apply, students will need to have a valid RN license in Ohio, a minimum grade of C in every prerequisite course and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Graduates will get a baccalaureate degree upon completing all of the requirements and will be able to continue on their chosen track at the master’s level. Overall, this program can take up to eight full-time semesters to complete.
PhD in Nursing
This joint program exists between Kent State University and the University of Akron to prepare students for teaching and applying nursing strategies as nursing scholars.
This program can be completed in three full-time years, though part-time study programs are also available.
To apply, students will need to have an MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Certificate Programs
Nursing Education Certificate
This certificate exists to prepare students for full academic roles and the responsibilities of being a nurse educator in various educational settings.
Nursing Management and Business Certificate
This certificate exists to prepare post-master’s advanced practice nurses, post-baccalaureate nurses, and current PhD and MSN students for life as patient care leaders and managers in various organizational settings.
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Post-MSN Certificate
This certificate exists solely for adult or gerontological CNSs.
Contact:
University of Akron
209 Carroll Street,
Akron, OH 44325-3701
