Table of Contents
Criteria for Admission Your Application Checklist MSN Courses & Tracks
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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 3.0 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 ten-course “bridge” that prepares students for master’s-level ten-course work. Students with bachelor’s degrees need to complete only 36 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 (30 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to progress to MSN-level course work.
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
www.milleranalogies.com to find test information and testing centers.
Documentation of an earned associates degree in nursing (ADN); 3.0 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 99258-0068
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.
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MSN Core Courses Course Name Credits NURS 312 Prof Concepts in Nursing 3 NURS 320 Stats for Health Professions 3 NURS 354 Creating Healthy Working Environments 3 NURS 355 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 3 NURS 360 Holistic Health Assessment and Promotion 3 NURS 406 Nursing Research 3 NURS 463 Community Health 3 NURS 464 Community Health Practicum 3 NURS 490 Spiritual Dimensions of Health and Healing 3 PHIL 280 Persons and Conduct 3
RN to MSN Courses
& Tracks
Nurse Educator
MSN Core Courses (8 weeks in length) Course Name Credits
NURS 561 Information Technology & Data
Management 3
NURS 562 Theoretical Foundations for Healthcare
Improvement 3
NURS 563 Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and
Safety 3
NURS 564 Contemporary Healthcare Environment 3 NURS 565 Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations 3 MSN Nurse Educator Direct Care Core (16 weeks in length)
NURS 601E Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and
Assessment I 3
NURS 602E Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and
Assessment II 3 NURS 603E Advanced Clinical Practicum: Acute Care 1cr/60 hours NURS 604E Advanced Clinical Practicum:
Population-Focused 1cr/60 hours MSN Nurse Educator Core (16 weeks in length)
NURS 651E Curriculum Development 3 NURS 652E Teaching/Learning Strategies 3 NURS 653E Principles of Evaluation for Nurse Educators 3 Nurse Educator Practicum (4 cr. between 2 courses; 16 weeks in length)
NURS 645E Nurse Educator Practicum in Clinical Setting 1-3cr/60-180 hours NURS 646E Nurse Educator Practicum in Academia 1-3cr/60-180 hours
Our online Nurse Educator Program will prepare you to work as a nursing educator in the following positions/ settings:
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Health Systems Leadership
MSN Core Courses Course Name Credits NURS 561 Information Technology & Data
Management 3
NURS 562 Theoretical Foundations for Healthcare
Improvement 3
NURS 563 Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and
Safety 3
NURS 564 Contemporary Healthcare Environment 3 NURS 565 Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations 3 Health Systems Leadership
Core
NURS 641A Nursing Leadership Development 3 NURS 642A Quality and Information Management 3 NURS 643A Communication and Relationship
Management 3
NURS 644A Health Care Management 3 NURS 645A Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Healthcare 3 Health Systems Leadership
Practicum Courses
NURS 631A Health Systems Leader Practicum 1-3 NURS 632A Health Systems Leader Practicum II 1-3 NURS 633A Health Systems Leader Practicum III 1-3
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.
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 30 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.
3.
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 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 877-6791.
7.
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, 2-3 day on-campus immersions for the Nurse Educator track.
8.
How many practicum hours will students complete during the program?
Students will complete 135 practicum hours during the undergraduate Community Health Practicum course, and 360 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.
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Contact & Information
Resources
Online RN to MSN Admissions
Please Contact:Phone: 866-380-5323
Email: [email protected]
Virtual Campus Admissions 502 E. Boone Ave.
