Information Package RN to MSN

Transcription

1 Information Package RN to MSN

2 TOC Table of Contents Criteria for Admission Your Application Checklist MSN Courses & Tracks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s) Contact Information

3 Criteria for Admission Application Requirements (RN to MSN): Online For the RN-MSN program, applicants must have an unencumbered RN license, and a diploma or an associate s degree in nursing from an accredited program. The applicant must also demonstrate the desire to advance their knowledge and experience within the nursing field. Prerequisite Applicants must have earned associates degree in nursing (ADN) with a GPA of.0 or higher. The Gonzaga University online RN to MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) program is designed for registered nurses with an associate s degree in nursing (ADN) who want to earn an advanced nursing degree. Students can apply for either the Health Systems Leadership Track or the Nurse Educator Track in the MSN Program. An online MSN can open up new career opportunities for nurses interested in nursing leadership, management, or specialized nursing positions and with this accelerated program, you will earn your master s degree much faster than you would earning your bachelor s and master s degrees separately! Built with the flexibility to fit your busy career, the online RN to MSN program at Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington, allows multiple entry points on the road to your Master s of Nursing. With an associate s degree, it takes approximately 66 credits to finish the program, including a tencourse bridge that prepares students for master s-level course work. Students with bachelor s degrees need to complete only 6 credits to earn the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. This bridge program is designed to prepare you for graduate-level work. You will: Study major research methods and approaches to improving health care and patient outcomes Update your knowledge and skill in health assessment Learn how to create healthy work environments and improve population health Degree Requirments The online RN to MSN program requires the completion of ten bridge courses (0 credits) with a minimum GPA of.0 in order to progress to MSN-level course work. PLEASE NOTE: We are not admitting nursing students from the following states: AR, AL, DE, and NC. 1

4 Your Application Checklist RN to MSN: Online At the time of application to the RN to MSN program, the applicant also applies for admission to Gonzaga University. The applicant must have an Associate s degree in Nursing from an accredited college or a diploma in nursing from a state-approved program and must submit one official transcript from each college, university, and nursing program attended. The decision to admit an applicant to the RN to MSN program is based on consideration of the individual s overall portfolio including: Complete the online application and pay the $50 application fee (pay at the end of the online application). See the RN-MSN Apply Now button at online.gonzaga.edu and follow the instructions given. MAT Test Score You must take the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) and provide a copy of test scores to be admitted into this program. If you have taken the MAT within the last five years, you do not need to retake it, only provide a copy of your test scores. Gonzaga will also accept GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) scores. Go to to find test information and testing centers. Documentation of an earned associates degree in nursing (ADN);.0 GPA or higher One official transcript from every college and university or nursing school attended. Only degrees and courses from a regionally accredited institution will be accepted, which should be mailed to: Gonzaga University Virtual Campus Admissions 502 E. Boone Avenue Spokane, WA Current Registered Nurse license Current professional curriculum vitae Typewritten statement describing: a. interest in the MSN program and what he/she hopes to gain from the degree, b. professional goals, c. strengths, d. professional experiences Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant s leadership, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and judgement, and professional practice (e.g., employer, professional colleague, professor). Letters must be signed and on letterhead. Recommendation letters will be uploaded through the online application portal by the recommender. Non-native English speakers must submit the above documentation and the following items: a score of 6.5 or better on the IELTS, an official TOEFL score of at least 88 ibt or 580 pbt, completion of an Associate s degree in nursing or a diploma in Nursing from an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction and submission of a financial declaration and supporting documentation by international applicants 2 If you would like to petition for transfer of credits from another program, please request a Permission to Transfer Graduate Credits form and submit with accompanying syllabus or course description and official transcripts.

5 RN to MSN Courses & Tracks Except for practicum courses in the bridge portion and the graduate portion of the program, courses are completed online. Within the structure of the class, you may organize your work around your own schedule. Whatever path you choose, our curriculum will thoroughly prepare you for a nurse educator or management role in nursing. MSN Core Courses Course Name Credits NURS 12 Prof Concepts in Nursing NURS 20 Stats for Health Professions NURS 54 Creating Healthy Working Environments NURS 55 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology NURS 60 Holistic Health Assessment and Promotion NURS 406 Nursing Research NURS 46 Community Health NURS 464 Community Health Practicum NURS 490 Spiritual Dimensions of Health and Healing PHIL 280 Persons and Conduct

6 Nurse Educator Our online Nurse Educator Program will prepare you to work as a nursing educator in the following positions/ settings: Staff development in a healthcare facility Patient educator in a healthcare agency Nursing faculty in an academic setting MSN Core Courses (8 weeks in length) Course Name Credits NURS 561 NURS 562 NURS 56 Information Technology & Data Management Theoretical Foundations for Healthcare Improvement Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety NURS 564 Contemporary Healthcare Environment NURS 565 Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations MSN Nurse Educator Direct Care Core NURS 601E NURS 602E (16 weeks in length) Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Assessment I Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Assessment II NURS 60E Advanced Clinical Practicum: Acute Care 1cr/60 hours NURS 604E MSN Nurse Educator Core Advanced Clinical Practicum: Population- Focused (16 weeks in length) 1cr/60 hours NURS 651E Curriculum Development NURS 652E Teaching/Learning Strategies NURS 65E Principles of Evaluation for Nurse Educators Nurse Educator Practicum (4 cr. between 2 courses; 16 weeks in length) NURS 645E Nurse Educator Practicum in Clinical Setting 1-cr/ hours NURS 646E Nurse Educator Practicum in Academia 1-cr/ hours 4

7 Health Systems Leadership Gonzaga University s online Health Systems Leadership (HSL) Program incorporates knowledge from business, organizational behavior, quality improvement, health care law, and nursing to teach you how to devise innovative solutions to today s complex health care problems. The Health Systems Leadership option prepares registered nurses to assume leadership and administrative positions in inpatient, outpatient, community-based, and academic settings. Students gain knowledge and competency in financial and human capital management, as well as strategies for responding to the ethical and legal issues encountered in administrative roles. MSN Core Courses Course Name Credits NURS 561 NURS 562 NURS 56 Information Technology & Data Management Theoretical Foundations for Healthcare Improvement Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety NURS 564 Contemporary Healthcare Environment NURS 565 Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations Health Systems Leadership Core NURS 641A Nursing Leadership Development NURS 642A Quality and Information Management NURS 64A Communication and Relationship Management NURS 644A Health Care Management NURS 645A Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Healthcare Health Systems Leadership Practicum Courses NURS 61A Health Systems Leader Practicum 1- NURS 62A Health Systems Leader Practicum II 1- NURS 6A Health Systems Leader Practicum III 1-5

8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s) 1. Why should a student choose an accelerated MSN program? In many cases, the RN to MSN program will eliminate about 0 credits needed to complete the BSN and MSN separately. This is a great option for nurses who are applying for positions in which the MSN is required or preferred. 2. What is the cost per credit? 400 level course are $710 per credit and 500 level courses are $900 per credit.. How long will the RN to MSN program take to complete? Most students finish the RN to MSN program in three years and two semesters. The program is not a cohort, so students may be able to accelerate the program. 4. Will students earn a BSN and an MSN in this program? There is no BSN step out in the program. The final degree will be a Master of Science in Nursing. 5. What are the deadlines for application? This program has rolling admissions and is a space available program. 6. Is Gonzaga s MSN program accredited? Gonzaga is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The baccalaureate and master s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 50, Washington, DC 2006, (202) Is this program all online? There is a required 2 day on-campus immersion during the last practicum course for the Health Systems Leadership (HSL) track. There are two, 2- day on-campus immersions for the Nurse Educator track. 8. How many practicum hours will students complete during the program? Students will complete 15 practicum hours during the undergraduate Community Health Practicum course, and 60 practicum hours at the graduate level. The practicum hours in the Health System Leadership track provide opportunities for developing or enhancing competency in communication and building effective relationships, creating healthy work environments, quality improvement and financial management. In the Nurse Educator track practicum courses, students update their clinical knowledge and skill, gain confidence and experience teaching in a variety of setting, e.g., the classroom, online, and in a clinical practice setting, and learn to create and debrief simulated scenarios Will students need any special equipment for their computers? Other than Microsoft Office, students are not required to have any special equipment for their computers, and the online format is also Mac compatible. 10. Will the program prepare nurses to apply for a DNP program? Currently, the MSN in Health Systems Leadership will prepare students to apply for a post-master s DNP program at Gonzaga University or other universities. Nurses with an MSN in Nursing Education will be qualified to apply to a PhD program. Students who are seeking further education should check the individual DNP/PhD program requirements for the various schools of interest.

9 Contact & Information Resources Online RN to MSN Admissions Please Contact: Phone: Virtual Campus Admissions 502 E. Boone Ave. Spokane, WA online.gonzaga.edu 7