To be a nurse is to be singularly focused on the holistic well-being of other people. Nursing professionals are educated to help restore health to people, not just in body, but in mind, heart and spirit as well. In many traditional hospital or clinical settings, nurses use their knowledge to support and expand the work of other healthcare professionals. However, in family-care settings, a nurse with an advanced degree can also directly serve their patients as a primary care physician.
Paige Robinson is one of those nursing professionals who is currently seeking to expand her professional opportunities by completing a graduate degree in nursing. She is enrolled in Olivet’s Master of Science in Nursing program: Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) track and is set to graduate in 2027.
The MSN-FNP degree at Olivet Nazarene University is designed for registered nurses who have already completed their bachelor’s degree and who have gained experience by working in the healthcare industry. Strong candidates for this degree are those who want to further their career as an FNP.
Paige became aware of the program after one of her friends completed it and was excited about how the program would advance some of her own career goals.
“I have always wanted to be a family nurse practitioner—that has been my ultimate education and career goal,” she says. “I want to be able to manage a subset of my own patients and transition healthcare back into a holistic approach in my practice.”
The MSN-FNP program at Olivet is catered to advanced practice nursing professionals who want to enhance their skill sets and leadership capabilities to take on increased levels of responsibility as they build their own network of patients. An FNP is equipped to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, but to build their own primary care practice for patients. Upon completion of the MSN-FNP program and all of its course requirements, students are academically prepared to take the national FNP certification examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), of which Olivet students consistently pass ANCC with rates above national averages.
“So far, my experience has been great,” Paige reflects. “The coursework is appropriately challenging and will be useful in my future practice.”
She has continued to work as a registered nurse as she completes the FNP coursework, which is primarily delivered online. The opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge simultaneously into practice has been extremely valuable.
“Each day is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth,” Paige says. “Nurses are important in the healthcare system because we have a way and an approach with patients. We are able to spend more time with patients, create that relationship of trust and understanding, have a healing hand or touch with them, and we have the bedside manner that is empathetic, compassionate, and caring in nature. Nurses are able to handle all different kinds of situations, multi-task, prioritize patient care, and critically think.”
For nursing professionals who are considering enrolling in an advanced degree program like the MSN-FNP program at Olivet, Paige emphasizes that the rewards of personal growth and career enhancement will be worth the effort.
“Always set your bar high and reach for it. If you are sitting on the fence about continuing your education, go for it. You are forever learning and growing as a person and professional. Challenge yourself, challenge your mind and don’t put limits upon yourself.”
For more information about Olivet’s School of Nursing, visit olivet.edu/nursing
