U.S. News & World Report recognizes top-tier program to educate outstanding nurses at a time of great need in healthcare
COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. News & World Report ranked The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s online Master of Science in Nursing program #2 in the country for the second year in a row and #1 among public institutions in new rankings released today. This is the fifth consecutive year that this online master’s in nursing program has ranked in the top 10 overall nationally.
The College of Nursing’s program and those of other institutions across the country were judged on student-faculty engagement, services and technologies, faculty credentials and education, expert opinion of the quality of the program and student excellence.
“We are delighted and honored that our world-class innovative faculty, staff and curricula have once again been recognized among the very best in the nation, demonstrating the sustained excellence of our online program,” said Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, vice president for health promotion and dean of the College of Nursing. “Our online students receive the same high-caliber education as students on campus and are prepared with superb knowledge and skills to dream, discover and deliver the highest quality of evidence-based care to transform health and improve lives.”
“It’s critically important that we create high-quality online educational opportunities that prepare advanced nursing practice leaders and providers for the future of healthcare,” said Cindy Anderson, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, ANEF, FAHA, FNAP, FAAN, associate dean for academic affairs and educational innovation at the College of Nursing. “Our online Master of Science in Nursing program prepares students to address current challenges in healthcare and to make a meaningful positive impact in improving health outcomes across the state, nation and globe.”
In 2017-18, the College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing online program educated nearly 180 students in four key disciplines of nursing: psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, neonatal nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner. Among other attributes, the program offers in-state tuition no matter where the student lives, the same high-quality faculty online as on-campus, classes that suit the scheduling needs of working professionals, and special focus on evidence-based practice, personal wellness and clinical experience using technologies, including telehealth.
“I’ve benefited from the diversity of people that I have met in the program, as well as the relationships I’ve built with others in my program and with my professors. The faculty want to see everyone succeed,” said Joann North, an online student in the Clinical Nurse Leader specialization of Ohio State’s traditional Master of Science in Nursing program. “Ohio State helps make the program manageable when you’re working. They understand being in school and working and still trying to have a home life as well. The flexibility makes it easier to have that happen.”
U.S. News & World Report also released new rankings today using similar criteria that cover the best online bachelor’s programs across the university spectrum. The Ohio State University as a whole ranked #3 in the country and #1 in Ohio on that list. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Ohio State was ranked in the top 10 nationally for online bachelor’s offerings. The College of Nursing’s online RN-to-BSN program constitutes more than half of Ohio State’s online undergraduates.
By the Numbers
- History of U.S. News & World Report rankings for The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s online graduate master’s in nursing programs:
- 2013: #47
- 2014: #32
- 2015: #6
- 2016: #4
- 2017: #3
- 2018: #2
- 2019: #2 (#1 public college of nursing)
- 2017-18 school year: 176 online students
- Overall advanced practice certification pass rate: 95%
- College of Nursing overall numbers:
- 1020 active undergraduate students, 1040 active graduate students
- More than 13,000 living alumni spread out among all 50 states and at least 10 countries abroad
Contact:
Phil Saken, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University
847-275-9025
Saken.2@osu.edu
