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The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (FPB) at Case Western Reserve University is a globally-recognized leader in nursing education. As such, we believe in producing confident, dynamic healthcare professionals and are committed to the success of our students.
Whether you are an undergraduate with an interest in health care, a seasoned nursing professional ready for advancement, or someone looking to transition to a new career, FPB has an academic program to help you fulfill your educational and professional goals.
To determine which program is right for you, please take a look at our overview below. Be sure to email us if you have any questions!
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FPB offers direct admission to the BSN program for first-year or transfer undergraduate applicants. BSN students take nursing classes in their first year on campus. Unlike their peers at other nursing schools, BSN students at FPB start their clinical placements the third week of classes of their first semester on campus, which means they receive nearly double the national average of clinical hours (1600+). Clinical learning takes place in more than 200 Cleveland community agencies and organizations each semester, including some internationally-renowned institutions.
Also, from their first year on campus, BSN students take part in a number of required civic engagement projects, not only to expand their worldviews and skill sets but also to provide accessible health care and critical health education to children and families in Cleveland, across the country, and around the world. BSN graduates move on to careers in healthcare systems, nonprofit agencies, and other organizations.
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FPB's Graduate Entry DNP for Non-Nurses is a full-time, four-semester graduate degree program for professionals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. After completing it successfully, students receive a generalist Master of Nursing (MN) and are prepared to sit for the licensing exam. Upon passing the exam, they can work as a registered nurse (RN).
All students admitted into the program are also admitted into FPB’s specialist master’s degree and doctoral programs, making advanced education easily attainable. The program has an innovative quality and safety component woven throughout the curriculum, emphasizing the importance of the patient experience. Students are prepared for their RN licensure, which then enables them to pursue an MSN, DNP, or PhD.
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MSN-prepared nurses are in high demand, and they can practice at a higher level of care, thus taking fuller advantage of career opportunities and gaining new levels of autonomy and responsibility. An MSN is also an excellent gateway to a clinical (DNP) or research (PhD) doctorate in nursing. Most MSN courses are available in intensive, online, or weekend formats. The MSN program is designed for BSN and MN nurses, but ADN or diploma RNs may also apply for our bridge program to prepare for the MSN.
FPB offers a choice of a dozen different MSN majors, plus subspecialties. Students may also blend majors to create custom programs and to pursue joint master’s degree opportunities with other schools at the university. Besides overall career advancement, the MSN provides students the opportunity to prepare for roles as nurse practitioners, anesthetists, midwives, or clinical nurse specialists.
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Nurses with a DNP can move to the absolute pinnacle of their field; those with practice doctorates are the most highly educated and qualified practitioners in their profession. These advanced practice nurses apply their education and expertise in leadership roles on the front lines of nursing, in clinical practice, teaching and research, and in health policy design and development.
FPB offers three DNP entry options for MN grads, MSN nurses, and nurses with varying levels of education: Graduate Entry (for non-nurses), Post-Licensure Entry, and Post-Masters Entry. Courses are offered in intensive formats on- and off-site. Students may choose either practice or educational leadership electives to guide the path of their DNP education. Graduates carve leadership career paths in nursing practice, health system administration, and clinical research.
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Nurses with PhDs are in many cases the unsung heroes of the profession, for they establish the scientific evidence as the bedrock for nursing practice and policy and, via classroom instruction, mentorship, and publication, disseminate the seeds of their knowledge around the globe.
FPB's PhD program offers a variety of entry options. Students team up with an FPB faculty mentor on his or her research project for 240 hours during the first two years of their PhD coursework, taking them far beyond theoretical, classroom-based understanding. An optional education track is available that focuses on skills for teaching and mentoring. The program is designed for MSN nurses, with a fast-track option available to BSN and MN nurses. PhD graduates achieve careers as nurse researchers, scientists, and/or university-level faculty members.