School of Nursing

Why should I pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Degree?

The shift in health care system priorities has led to new and exciting opportunities and career pathways for nurses with master’s degrees. Graduate nursing education is a multifaceted, dynamic, and rigorous process; organized to prepare professional nurses for advanced practice roles. It expands upon the skills and knowledge learned at the baccalaureate level that has been refined through clinical practice experiences. Master’s degree education in nursing prepares practitioners who are uniquely able to provide direct and indirect care to diverse groups of people, in a variety of settings, within the current, complex health care systems environment.

» Check it out: Articles on graduate nursing education...
"Advance Your Nursing Career" Wendy J. Myerhoff, Monster.com.
"Guide to Advanced Practice Nursing Degrees" AllNursingSchools.com

Why PLU?

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 maintains 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.

Accreditation

Back to Top

MSN Program Information

Several program options are available for students interested in gaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The basic MSN degree is designed for BSN-prepared RN's who wish to continue to an advance practice nursing career. The RN to MSN is a bridge program created for the ADN-prepared RN to gain first the BSN and then the MSN degree. The Entry-Level MSN is a new accelerated program for students with a prior non-nursing bachelor's degree to gain RN licensure and the MSN degree.

Classes at the MSN level are normally scheduled on one or two weekday evenings and Friday days to accommodate students who are employed. Clinical experiences typically occur during day or evening shift hours. The Master of Science in Nursing coursework is usually completed in either 4 semesters/2 years on a full-time basis, or 6 semesters/3 years on a part-time basis.

MSN Concentrations

There are two concentrations of study in the Master of Science in Nursing program: Care and Outcomes Manager (COM) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Each concentration includes specialization courses and participation in professional scholarship such as writing for publication. Some students who qualify may elect to complete both the COM and FNP concentrations by extending their coursework and time of study by one year.

Care and Outcomes Manager (35 to 41 semester credits)
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 program prepares the student for an advanced practice role as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), clinical nurse educator for schools or agencies, or nurse administrator at the systems level (e.g., case managers, utilization review coordinators, risk managers, and nursing informaticists).

This 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 (37 to 39 semester credits hours)
This course of study focuses on client-centered clinical practice. This primary care program prepares nurses to: respond to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s health care consumers; manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning; incorporate health promotion and disease prevention interventions into health care delivery; and realize their potential for professional growth, responsibility and autonomy.

Successful completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner program will qualify students to sit for the certifying examination, which qualifies them under Washington state law for ARNP licensure.

Criteria for Consideration of Admission

Master of Science in Nursing basic application (regular program):

Priority Deadline: March 1 / Rolling Admissions
Students admitted to the basic Master of Science in Nursing program typically begin classes in the fall of each year. Candidates may apply for admission at any time during the year; those who apply by March 1 are given priority conisderation for financial assistance. Enrollments are limited in both concentrations. Admission is selective; meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission.

Minimum Criteria for consideration of admission - Applicants must ...

• Hold current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Washington,
• Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school of nursing,
• Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on 4.0 scale,
• Have successfully completed a college-level Statistics course (to include descriptive and inferential statistics) with a grade of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale,
• Submit all graduate nursing application materials, including:
• PLU Graduate Application (available from PLU Admissions Office or online here)
  
• School of Nursing Graduate Addendum to Application (available to download here)
  
• Policy/procedures regarding English proficiency (also available online here)
• Official transcripts from each college university attended,
• Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores with scores of 450 or higher in the Verbal section, 450 or higher in the Quantitative sections, and a score of 4.0 or better in the Analytical Writing section.
• Professional resume,
• Professional statement of goals (1-4 pages, double-spaced),
• Two letters of recommendation
• Fluency in speaking, reading, writing and comprehending graduate-level English. English proficiency standards are:
• International and ESL students must meet English Proficiency requirements (see Addendum to Application or click here),
• Completion of preadmission interview (optional)
  

• Civil, administrative and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as any other applicable territory or country.
  
  
• Recommended one year direct care RN experience in the last 5 years.

Entry-Level MSN (for those with a non-nursing Bachelor's degree):

    Priority Deadline: November 15th
Please see the Entry-Level MSN program information page by clicking here. Complete program information, course outlines, and admisison criteria are located on the website. Information Sessions for the Entry-Level MSN program are scheduled regularly; for the current calendar or to RSVP for an information session, please click here.

RN to MSN (for those with the ADN - Associate's Degree RN):

Please read the RN to MSN program information page by clicking here. ADN graduates interested in the MSN program must first complete the BSN degree. Information on the RN to BSN program and application requirements are located on the website.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships, fellowships, 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 resources for nursing students are also listed on this website at the Student Resources: Financial Aid page.

For more information ...

Request Information
If you have questions about our programs or would like to schedule a visit, please contact us:
    Phone: (253) 535-7672
    E-mail: gradnurs@plu.edu
    or click here for an online information request form.

Back to Top