Old Dominion University Nursing School Review

Old Dominion University (ODU), formerly known as Old Dominion College is a public university that was founded in 1930. The school is noted for its reputation in online distance learning degrees. It boasts modern facilities with the latest 21st century teaching technology. With 69 bachelor’s degrees, 56 master’s degrees, 41 doctoral degrees and 2 educational specialist degrees, students have a wide list of options to choose from to enter their career choice. There are also more than 50 degree programs by satellite, online, video-streaming and CD-ROM. The school also enjoys an active student life with 250 student organizations offering a wide range of activities and causes to defend.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This program prepares students for entry-level profession in acute care, community setting, ambulatory care and rehabilitation home. Students can choose from the following two tracks:

1)  Pre-licensure: This option is for students that do not hold a RN license and want to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).They are prepared with foundation courses that use a variety of classes, laboratory experiences and clinical experiences for the bachelor’s degree. The program is aimed at high school graduates, associate’s degree and adults that wish to change their careers. It is also open to students that have bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing course.

2)  Post-licensure: This course is geared towards students that are already registered nurses and wish to gain their BSN. Students can either choose to attend classes on the Norfolk campus or any of the distance learning options available. These options range from online, video streaming or live televised videos with one way videos and one way audios known as TELETECHNET.

Master of Science in Nursing

Students interested in obtaining their MSN can choose from the following options:

1)  Family Nurse Practitioner: Students are trained to prepare primary care services to family and individuals whilebeing trained with clinical experiences. During the program, they acquire the necessary skills to diagnose acute and chronic illnesses. In addition to this, they learn how to manage health-related issues and maintain them. After successful completion students can take the FNP certification from the American Nurses’ Association or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. All 47 credits must be taken and passed with satisfactory grades. A written comprehensive test is also given at the end of the last semester and this too must be passed before taking theFNP certification exam.

2)  Nurse Anesthesia Program: This program was established in 1995 and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The course is directed to any RN that holds a baccalaureate degree and has a current unrestricted license to hold a Master’s degree in Nursing and sit the National Certification Examination for nurse anesthesia. This is a 28-month program that covers 82 credits. It is divided into two phases, with the first phase being an introductory to the courses geared towards preparing students with skills and knowledge to undertake advanced nursing practice in nurse anesthesia. The second phase is the practical aspect of the course where students focus on both general and regional aesthetic techniques. Applicants must also have CCRN certification and current certification in BLS, ACLS, and PALS among other admission requirements.

3)  Nurse Educator: This course is offered through the collaboration between ODU and other schools of nursing within and outside of Virginia to deliver a web-based program that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Students that choose the full-time program will be able to complete the 39-credit program in one year, whereas those that opt for a part-time arrangement will be able to finish the course in two years. For those that choose the post-master’s curriculum, they will need to complete 15-18 credits over 3 semesters. The school uses the latest teaching technology through audio and video conferences and online chats among others to deliver the course to students.

4)  Nurse Administrator: Students can choose between a full-time, part-time or certificate curriculum to complete this program. Whatever the choice, they will be exposed to all the theory that forms the foundation of various leadership practices in the real world. They will be trained to be effective leaders and thus undertake different types of leadership roles across a wide spectrum in areas such as: public health care, nursing/health care administration, clinical leadership, military health care just to name a few.

5)  Nurse-Midwifery Graduate Program: ODU in conjunction with Shenandoah University offer this program. Students can either choose to do the program on a part-time or full-time basis and are eligible to take the national nurse-midwifery certification examination if there are no pending issues.A Full-time course guarantees a two year completion, whereas part-time guarantees a three year completion date. The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education of the American College of Nurse-Midwives has given its stamp of approval on Shenandoah University Nurse-Midwifery Program. After successful completion, graduates receive their Master of Science in Nursing from ODU and a certificate of participation from Shenandoah University.

6)  Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner: This course prepares students to become primary health care providers in women’s health. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to participate inprofessional organizations. The course covers 45-credit hours and each student must complete 616 hours of clinical. At the end, they must also pass a written comprehensive test. They will then be eligible to sit the National Certification Corporation certification exam. Student clinical placement is possible through health departments, OB-GYN office practices, and specialty women’s clinics.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

This program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students can choose the BS-MSN to DNP program which can be covered 8 semesters on a full-time basis or 14 semesters on a part-time basis. The course starts in August. The Postmasters is another option that can be covered in four semesters on a full-time basis or seven semesters on a part-time basis. Other options include:

–  WHNP to DNP (full-time/ part-time)

–  NP to DNP (full-time/ part-time)

Distance Learning

ODU has a long standing tradition of distance learning for more than two decades. The school uses the following mediums to deliver content for different courses:

1)  Online: This is a flexible option that allows students to establish their own schedule. They are able to access course material and assignments from any location without having to worry about scheduled class meeting times.

2)  TELETECHNET: Lectures are scheduled every week using the University’s satellite Network to deliver different types of web-based formats. Students can access these through one-way video and two-way audio in Virginia and other states. Students have the option to also access Upper division cluster courses as well.

3)  Video Streaming: With the implementation of Sametime or a Virtual Instructional Assistant (VIA), it is possible for students to attend live classes without having to leave their homes and from any geographical location. The courses are scheduled during specific times during the week. Students can see the lecturer in real time, but the lecturer cannot see them.

Undergraduate Options: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Students that are enrolled in the RN to BSN program will have access to online, TELETECHNET and video streaming resources to get course work and see live lecturers. They will also be able to enroll in the RN to BSN/MSN option once they have completed one semester of the RN to BSN program.

Graduate Options – Masters of Science in Nursing and Doctorate in Nursing Practice

Students enrolled in the Master of Science in program will be able to access the web-based format for the following specialties.

1)  Nurse Midwifery

2)  Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

3)  Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator

4)  Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is web-based and students can access the listed formats above to progress throughout the course. Once every semester, however, students attend weekend residency seminars on the Norfolk campus.

Core graduate nursing courses for the Nurse Anesthesia MSN role are also offered through web-based format. These include:

1)  Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Practice

2)  Research: An Introduction to Design

3)  Research: Methodologies and Application

In summary:

Undergraduate Programs

The Nursing School at Old Dominion University is part of the College of Health Sciences and offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program.  The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers two tracks; pre-licensure and post-licensure. The pre-licensure nursing track is intended for students who would like to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then apply to write the NCLEX-RN examination, in order to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program include high school students, students with associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing who are interested in a new career in nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Old Dominion University includes a combination of in-class lectures and clinical practicum.

The post-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is intended for students who already hold a Registered Nurse licensure and would like to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in order to further their career in nursing. Courses are conducted at Old Dominion University’s main campus in Norfolk part-time or via distance learning, so that students can continue practicing as a Registered Nurse while completing their Bachelor of Science degree.

In order to apply to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Old Dominion University, students must submit an application by February. Registered Nurses work in a variety of healthcare organizations including; hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, long-term care facilities, schools, physicians’ offices and many more healthcare institutions.  

Graduate Programs

The Nursing College at Old Dominion University offers several streams in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program including; Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Midwifery and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. The majority of graduate students in the nursing program at Old Dominion University complete the program via distance learning, as they continue their nursing employment, while working on their education. The Master of Science in Nursing is also available in-person. In order to apply to any of the Master of Science in Nursing Program streams, students must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university program.

Old Dominion University also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and wish to continue their nursing education. The Doctor of Science in Nursing program is eight full-time or 14 part-time semesters, which begin in August. Old Dominion University also offers a postmasters program in Advanced Practice and Nurse Executive, which can be completed in four full-time and seven part-time semesters.

Contact:
Old Dominion University
5115 Hampton Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23529