Entry-Level MSN Application Priority Deadline: The priority deadline for applications is November 15th. Applications are still being accepted. |
Why the Entry-Level MSN?Program Information:
Admission Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions |
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The Entry-Level MSN (ELMSN) is a cohort program designed to prepare candidates with a previous bachelor's or higher degree to gain RN licensure and the MSN degree. The sequence of study recognizes the academic success of the non-nursing graduate by providing a focused immersion into nursing followed by graduate study. Students do not receive a BSN degree, but following successful completion of the first 15 months (55 semester credits) of study, they are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN for registered nurse licensure and to continue in the MSN program in the Care and Outcomes Manager (COM) concentration with an Advanced Generalist focus. A limited cohort is admitted each year and admission is competitive.
The ELMSN program is clinically and academically intensive to assure the student of adequate exposure to the professional nursing role and responsibilities, as well as to develop the student as a Master's-prepared advanced generalist by completion of the program. All students are admitted to the ELMSN program in the Advanced Generalist focus, which is part of the Care and Outcomes Manager (COM) concentration. From start to finish, the Entry-Level MSN Care and Outcomes Manager Advanced Generalist program is 27 months. All students who successful progress through the program may graduate with an RN and the Advanced Generalist MSN. When space allows, ELMSN students may be eligible to apply for selection into other clinical specializations, such as Family Nurse Practitioner, COM Educator or COM Clinical Nurse Leader, etc. Additional time and expense may be required to complete some specialties; for example, the FNP program takes approximately 1 additional year to complete (36 months total). Students who do not apply for or are not selected for participation in an alternative focus area remain in the COM Advanced Generalist MSN program. Students are expected to complete the entire program with their cohort.
Entry-Level MSN students must maintain full-time status throughout their entire program of study. Prior to entering graduate-level studies, ELMSN students participate in a 15-month intensive program at the undergraduate level leading to RN eligibility, during which time they are unable to maintain employment. After obtaining RN licensure during the program, students are encouraged and expected to work part-time as nurses while enrolled full time in graduate-level courses.
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, 45 percent have completed or are currently enrolled in doctoral studies.
The first fifteen months of the ELMSN program, the foundational portion, is academically and clinically intensive, and prepares 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.
Tuition for the Generalist Entry-Level MSN program is based on a specific cohort pricing arrangement at PLU. Students receive a significant reduction in per-credit tuition cost over the 27-month program. Generalist Entry-Level MSN students are considered to be graduate students and are qualified to apply for low-interest federal graduate loans. Other financial aid resources are available (add link). The total tuition cost for students entering the Generalist Entry-Level MSN program in 2009 was approximately $65,000 (from start to finish). For detailed tuition information for the 2010 cohort, please contact the School of Nursing at 253-535-7672, or email at us at gradnurs@plu.edu.
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 (4 credits) NURS 270 Health Assessment and Promotion (4) NURS 320 Nursing Competencies II (2) NURS 580 Advanced Pathophysiology (3) |
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Fall Semster |
NURS 260 Professional Foundations I (4) NURS 330 Pharmacology and Therapeutic Modalities (4) NURS 340 Situations with Individuals: Adult Health I (4) NURS 350 Situations with Individuals: Mental Health (4) |
| January Term 1st Year |
NURS 380 Situations with Families: Childrearing (Peds) (4) |
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Spring Semester |
NURS 370 Situations with Families: Childbearing (OB) (4) NURS 430 Situations with Communities (5) NURS 440 Situations with Individuals: Adult Health II (4) NURS 441 Situations Seminar (1) |
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Summer Semester |
NURS 480 Professional Foundations II (2) NURS 499 Nursing Synthesis (6) |
minimum of 35 additional semester credits
Fall Semester 2nd Year |
NURS 523 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (3) NURS 525 Theoretical Foundations (3) NURS 526 Leadership and Management (3) |
January Term 2nd Year |
NURS 524 Advanced Health Promotion (2) NURS 540 Illness and Disease Management (2) |
| Spring Term 2nd Year |
NURS 527 Evaluations and Outcomes Research (3) NURS 530 Resource Management (3) NURS 531 Care and Outcomes Manager 1 (3) |
| Summer Term 2nd Year |
NURS 532 Care and Outcomes Manager 2 (6) NURS 596 Scholarly Inquiry (2) |
The priority deadline for applications is November 15. Admissions decisions are sent by the end of March. Entry-Level MSN coursework begins once per year in mid-June. A limited cohort is admitted each year, and admission is competitive.
Because space is limited in the ELMSN program, applicants accepted into the program are required to make a $300 non-refundable advance tuition deposit within two weeks of their acceptance date to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission.
» Download the Comparable Course Guide to see courses at Washington universities and colleges which can fulfill nursing prerequisite course requirements.
Check out the Entry-Level MSN Frequently Asked Questions page.
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.