U.S. News & World Report places Ohio State among top five in country
COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. News & World Report released new rankings today that placed The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s online Master of Science in Nursing program #4 in the country (#2 among public institutions) and Ohio State’s overall online bachelor’s programs #1 in the country (with the only score of 100 in the country). The College of Nursing’s online RN to BSN program constitutes more than half of the university’s online undergraduates.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that the College of Nursing’s online master’s program ranks in the top six nationally. The online bachelor’s programs ranked #1 in 2018 and #3 in 2019.
Three online Master of Science in Nursing specialties at Ohio State also ranked among the nation’s best:
- Family Nurse Practitioner: #2
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan): #3
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care: #4 (tie)
“We are grateful that U.S. News & World Report continues to spotlight our world-class faculty, staff and curricula as among the very best in the country at preparing students to transform the future of health and improve lives,” said Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, dean of the College of Nursing, vice president for health promotion and university chief wellness officer. “Our wonderful online students receive the same innovative and high-quality education as students on campus so that they can dream, discover and deliver a healthier world through evidence-based care.”
The College of Nursing’s online master’s program was judged on five key components: engagement with faculty and fellow students, faculty credentials and training, peer review from academic leaders, student excellence and services and technologies to help facilitate distance learning.
“Online education is growing as a critical component to preparing advanced nursing practice leaders and providers to affect the quality and delivery of patient care,” said Cindy Anderson, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, ANEF, FAHA, FNAP, FAAN, senior associate dean for academic affairs and educational innovation at the College of Nursing. “The pride we take in building transformative online programs that reflect our values and our goals is reflected in our students, who develop skills and talents to make meaningful impact in every corner of the globe.”
In 2018-19, the College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing online program educated more than 200 students. Among other attributes, the program offers in-state tuition no matter where the student resides, classes that suit the scheduling needs of working professionals and special focus on evidence-based practice, personal wellness and clinical experience using technology, including telehealth.
“The flexibility offered by the online platform clearly sets the program apart as a digital flagship, and I'm grateful for the thoughtfulness and support offered by the office of distance learning,” said Loretta Raiford, BSN, RN, a student in the online master’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) program. “Faculty is responsive to the needs of working adult learners and has adapted the curriculum to reflect the reality of contemporary practice and provide a solid knowledge base for the emerging PMHNP. I look forwarding to using the education and skillset I've gained during my time at OSU to help address our nation's dire psychiatric mental health needs.”
