Entry-Level MSN Application Priority Deadline: The priority deadline for applications is November 15th. |
Why the Entry-Level MSN?Program Information:
Admission Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions |
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This is a wonderful program for the highly committed student wanting a
graduate degree in nursing, as well as the clinical skills and exposure
necessary for success as a registered nurse. This program prepares
qualified applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree in a
non-nursing field to complete Pacific Lutheran University’s Master of
Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
The cohort program is completed in 36 months with the first 15
months requiring full-time, intensive study for 55 semester credits.
The subsequent months are structured for the student to be able to work
part-time as a registered nurse while completing the remaining credits
required for the MSN degree.
The program is clinically and academically intensive. The students is
exposed to the RN role and responsibilities, as well as an advanced
practice role at completion of the MSN degree. Students are expected to
complete the entire 36-month program
with their cohort. Any student leaving the program prior to completing
the MSN may not be able to sustain RN licensure.
Changes in health care offer new opportunities and career pathways for
registered nurses with graduate level degrees appropriate for their
roles and responsibilities. The Entry-Level MSN from PLU prepares
advanced practice nurses who are able to provide direct and indirect
care to individuals and diverse groups of people in a variety of health
care settings.
Nursing education within the School of Nursing is a central program at
Pacific Lutheran University and clearly demonstrates the university's
commitment to educating for service and care. Excellence in advanced
practice, leadership and scholarship is emphasized. A majority of the
teaching faculty maintain their own advanced practice in clinical
settings. Faculty guide students individually and in small groups to
develop and apply a wide range of advanced practice skills and
knowledge.
Complete program accreditation information is available online here.
There are currently 30 faculty in the School of Nursing. Seventeen
full-time faculty members hold certification for advanced practice,
including American Nurses Association or other recognized certification
such as Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Family and Community
Nursing, Community Health Nursing, and Gerontology. Some faculty
members are certified in multiple areas. As a whole the nursing faculty
represent over 700 years of successful professional nursing experience.
Additionally, 50 percent have completed or are currently enrolled in doctoral studies. Click here to "Meet the People" who make the School of Nursing great - our faculty and staff!
The first fifteen months of the ELMSN program, the foundational
portion, is academically and clinically intensive, and prepared the
student for the RN licensure examination (NCLEX-RN). For an outline of the foundational program plan, please see the curriculum information below. Upon successful completion of the 52 credits of foundational portion
coursework, the student is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN in the
state of Washington and to continue with advanced practice coursework
leading to the MSN degree. Any student leaving the program prior to
completing the MSN degree may not be able to sustain RN licensure.
There are two concentrations of study in the Master of Science in
Nursing program: Care and Outcomes Manager and Family Nurse
Practitioner. Each concentration includes specialization courses and
participation in professional scholarship such as writing for
publication.
Classes offered during the last two years of the program are normally
scheduled weekday evenings and Fridays to accommodate students who are
employed. Clinical experiences typically occur during day or evening
shift hours. Students complete the advanced practice portion of the MSN
program in four semesters.
Care & Outcomes Manager(requies a minimum 35 semester credits, in addition to the 52 credits of foundational coursework)
This course of study allows students to focus on care management using an outcomes approach skill set necessary for being responsive in a continually changing health care environment. The student can complete COM coursework to prepare for a role as a: The COM concentration prepares students to provide quality, cost effective care in a defined context, participate in the design and implementation of an evaluation and outcomes model, assume a leadership role in managing health care resources, and integrate clinical and evaluation competencies for care and outcomes management. |
Family Nurse Practitioner(requires a minimum 37 semester credits, in addition to the 52 credits of foundational coursework)
This course of study focuses on client-centered clinical practice. This primary care program prepares nurses to
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Tuition for the Entry-Level MSN program is based on a specific
cohort pricing arrangement at PLU.
Students receive a significant reduction in tuition cost
per credit over the 36 month program. Entry-Level MSN students are
considered to be graduate students and are qualified to apply for
low-interest federal graduate loans. Other financial aid resource links
are available on our website, just click here.
The total tuition cost for students entering the Entry-Level MSN program in 2007 is about $54,000 to $60,000 (number of credits/tuition varies depending on the MSN concentration completed). To download and view the 2006 cohort pricing information, which includes a semester-by-semester layout and price per credit, click here: Entry-Level MSN Tuition Outline (Adobe Acrobat .pdf format).
Scholarships, assistantships, traineeships and low interest loans are available to qualified graduate nursing students. Approximately 90 percent of graduate students receive some form of financial assistance. For information about financial aid, contact the PLU Financial Aid Office at 253-535-7134 or finaid@plu.edu. Financial aid information specifically for nursing students is also available from the School of Nursing website; just click here.
Course descriptions are available in the Pacific Lutheran University Catalog.
15 Months - 55 semester credits
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Summer Semester |
NURS 220 Nursing Competencies I NURS 270 Health Assessment and Promotion NURS 320 Nursing Competencies II NURS 580 Advanced Pathophysiology |
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Fall Semster |
NURS 260 Professional Foundations NURS 330 Pharmacology and Therapeutic Modalities NURS 340 Situations with Individuals: Adult Health I NURS 350 Situations with Individuals: Mental Health |
| January Term 1st Year |
NURS 380 Situations with Families: Childrearing (Peds) |
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Spring Semester |
NURS 370 Situations with Families: Childbearing (OB) NURS 430 Situations with Communities NURS 440 Situations with Individuals: Adult Health II NURS 441 Situations Seminar |
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Summer Semester |
NURS 480 Professional Foundations II NURS 499 Nursing Synthesis |
4 full-time semesters - minimum of 35 additional semester credits
MSN Core Coursework
All graduate-level nursing students must complete the following core courses:
NURS 523 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
NURS 524 Advanced Health Promotion
NURS 525 Theoretical Foundations
NURS 526 Nursing Leadership and Management
NURS 527 Evaluation and Outcomes Management
Capstone: NURS 596 Scholarly Inquiry or NURS 599 Thesis
MSN Concentrations:
Care and Outcomes Manager Curriculum
NURS 530 Resource Management |
Family Nurse Practitioner CurriculumNURS 582 Advanced Health AssessmentNURS 583 Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics NURS 584 Family Nurse Practitioner I NURS 585 Family Nurse Practitioner II |
The priority deadline for applications is November 15. Admissions decisions are sent by March 1. Entry-Level MSN coursework begins once per year in mid-June. A limited cohort is admitted each year, and admission
is competitive.
Priority Deadline Change: Please note that the priority deadline for applications has been changed to November 15, 2007 for admission to summer 2008.
» Download the Comparable Course Guide to see courses at Washington universities and colleges which can fulfill nursing prerequisite course requirements.
* Each prerequisite must be completed with a minimum grade of 3.0 on 4.0 scale prior to enrolling in ELMSN coursework
Check out the Entry-Level MSN Frequently Asked Questions page.
Click here to link to articles about 'accelerated entry' and 'fast track' programs in nursing like the Entry-Level MSN.
If you have questions or would like information to be sent to you by mail, visit the Request More Information page or e-mail us
at gradnurs@plu.edu. Students interested in the Entry-Level MSN program are strongly encouraged to attend an Information Session on the program. Click here to view the calendar of upcoming School of Nursing Information Sessions.