Utica College Introduces Three New Nursing Master's Degrees

UTICA, NY – How healthcare is delivered is changing by the minute, and Utica College (UC) is addressing these changes by adding three new nursing master’s degrees to its suite of nursing programs, including family nurse practitioner, nursing education and nursing leadership.

“Beginning this summer, students can earn their nursing masters online at UC in just 16 to 20 months in the hours and days that work best for them,” says nursing chair Annette Becker, DNS. “The flexible nature of this program allows students to structure coursework according to their work/life commitments.”

Credit hour and practicum requirements differ for each program. Requirements for admission include an unencumbered RN license in the state in which the student resides, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and 2,000 hours of work experience.

The family nurse practitioner (FNP) program is for nurses who seek more autonomy in caring for their patients. A FNP provides a higher level of patient care, can test, diagnose, treat, and create preventive healthcare plans for patients. Given the shortage of healthcare professionals, FNPs are relied on more often as the first provider of care for common, family health problems. On average, FNPs earn more than $100,000 a year and there is an expected 31 percent job growth through 2026. The FNP program mandates a three-day immersion/residency experience and 720 practicum hours.

Nurse educators have become increasingly important and in great demand as new education requirements for entry-level clinical care emerge. Nurse educators earn approximately $74,000 a year. Employment is expected to grow by 24 percent through 2026. The education curriculum requires 180 practicum hours, divided between two classes, dedicated to working with qualified nurse educators.

As a nurse leader, either a senior manager or executive leader, one needs management expertise including the planning, direction, and coordination of medical and health services for an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice of physicians. With these roles, a person is responsible for implementing necessary actions to adhere to changes in healthcare laws, technologies, and regulations. Salaries range from $120,000 to $250,000. The leadership curriculum requires 180 hours of practicum working with nursing leaders.

The new programs will be added to a number of options already available including a traditional campus-based four-year undergraduate nursing program, an online RN to BSN program for licensed nurses who have completed an associate’s degree program and are seeking a higher credential. The ABSN is an accelerated (16-month) program for people who have already earned a bachelor's degree and wish to embark on a rewarding career in nursing. The program blends online courses with hands-on lab simulations and clinical rotations, and is offered through UC’s learning sites in Syracuse, NY; St. Petersburg, FL; and South Florida.

For more information, visit https://programs.online.utica.edu/programs/masters-nursing.

Featured

  • Active Learning Classroom

    Striking a Balance: The Keys to Renovating Science Education Buildings for the 21st Century

    The recent renovation of the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) provides a roadmap for facilities managers tasked with balancing budget constraints, modern pedagogical demands, and long-term sustainability.

  • Ancient Resilience: How Indigenous Intelligence Shapes the 4Roots Education Building

    As climate change intensifies, educational spaces must evolve beyond basic sustainability toward true resilience – we must design environments that can adapt, respond, and thrive amid shifting, and intensifying, climate hazards. Drawing on indigenous wisdom and nature-based strategies, integrating resilient design offers a path to create learning environments that are not only functional but deeply in tune with their natural surroundings.

  • University of Connecticut Upgrades Basketball Facility’s AV Systems

    The University of Connecticut recently partnered with Metinteractive to upgrade the AV systems of the Gampel Pavilion basketball facility on its campus in Mansfield, Conn., according to a news release.

  • Kimball International Debuts Health & Education Experience Center

    Kimball International recently opened a new facility at its corporate headquarters in Jasper, Ind., that will act as a hands-on showroom for a variety of its furniture products and solutions, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot Health & Education Experience Center was originally designed by Gensler as the headquarters for Kimball International’s National brand.

Digital Edition