The Future of Family Care

A new Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP) program will put Weber State on the forefront of advancing the field of nursing. This is the first master’s degree for nurse practitioners at a Utah public institution. It was approved by the state Board of Regents in July 2015, with an expected start date of fall 2016.

The program is designed to prepare registered nurses to diagnose and manage acute and chronic health problems, prescribe medications, plan treatments, and teach patients to promote and maintain health.

Career opportunities for nurse practitioners are expected to increase across the country, particularly in rural areas.

“If you look at the cost of health care, a nurse practitioner is not quite as expensive as a physician but can still give quality care,” said Susan Thornock, WSU School of Nursing chair. “They will work directly with physicians and can help meet health care needs now and in the future.”

135 The projected number of students in the nurse practitioner program by the year 2020