The EKU Online Family Nurse Practitioner program was honored with a Catalyst Award for Teaching and Learning from Blackboard Inc., a leading technology company for education and student engagement. The award recognizes courses and programs that demonstrate innovative use of online learning platforms to enhance flexibility and positively impact the educational experience.
Eastern Kentucky University’s family nurse practitioner program was established in 1995. The program transitioned to 100% online in 2013 with a goal of maintaining the defining characteristics of the on-campus program — academic excellence and personalized attention.
Today, 98 percent of graduates pass their national certification exam on the first attempt. A recent survey found that 100 percent of graduates would recommend the online FNP program to others.
LEARN MORE: Hear from program graduate Johanna Coursey.
“Thanks to the outstanding work of our faculty, advising staff and instructional design team we have been able to create an online family nurse practitioner program that students value and employers trust,” said Brooke Bentley, Ph.D., chair of baccalaureate and graduate nursing and former coordinator of the online FNP program.
The EKU experience includes:
- Convenient and encouraging interactions with faculty
- Orientations to familiarize students with their instructors and the learning platform
- Personalized advising
- Peer-to-peer collaboration
- Mentorship and guidance every step of the way
“Our highly interactive, 100% online program presents an opportunity for students who might not otherwise be able to advance their nursing education and career. We have developed many creative strategies to support student learning in the online environment. Student success is our priority,” said FNP Program Coordinator Margaret Zoellers, DNP, APRN.
Eastern Kentucky University is consistently recognized for offering some of the best online graduate nursing degree programs by U.S. News & World Report.
