Oral Roberts University

What you'll study

The curriculum is practice-oriented and focused on applying research to clinical settings and translating findings into evidence-based practice. Students in the FNP track receive clinical supervision from community preceptors (physicians or nurse practitioners) in specialty areas such as women’s health, pediatrics, and family medicine, and the program teaches current technologies and practices that support nursing knowledge and patient education. The FNP track is designed to prepare graduates to sit for national FNP certification.

Entry requirements

There are separate entry pathways: a post-bachelor’s FNP-DNP track for BSN RNs and an MSN-to-DNP track for master’s-prepared nurses. BSN RNs must have completed at least 2,000 hours of professional nursing practice prior to enrollment in year two of the program. The program is CCNE-accredited and delivered by ORU Online (accredited by the Higher Learning Commission). ORU participates in NC-SARA; applicants should verify advanced practice licensure educational requirements with their state Board of Nursing. The program lists states where its education meets, cannot be determined for, or does not meet state APRN educational requirements, and non-resident applicants are encouraged to contact their Board of Nursing directly.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move into advanced clinical and leadership roles. Typical career outcomes cited include: Nurse Practitioner (FNP), healthcare manager, healthcare policy advocate, nurse executive, and nurse educator. Completing the FNP track enables eligibility to pursue national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), after which graduates may apply for advanced state licensure.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

ORU provides information on financial aid, scholarships, and borrowing options for graduate students; prospective students are directed to the university’s financial aid resources. ORU Online assigns a Success Coach to each student and offers a short Graduate Orientation course to help new students begin their studies.