School of Nursing

Classes at the MSN level are normally scheduled on Fridays and one or two weekday evenings to accommodate students who are employed part time. Clinical experiences are typically 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

The Master of Science in Nursing program has two concentrations: 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 (COM) Concentration

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 role as a generalist, clinical nurse educator for schools or agencies, or clinical nurse leader/administrator at the systems level (e.g., case manager, utilization review coordinator, or risk manager).

 

This concentration prepares students to provide quality, cost effective care in a defined context, to participate in the design and implementation of an evaluation and outcomes model, to assume a leadership role in managing health care resources, and to integrate clinical and evaluation competencies for care and outcomes management. Successful completion of the COM concentration in the clinical nurse educator focus qualifies graduates to sit for national certifying examinations in their specialty.

Contact the School of Nursing, gradnurs@plu.edu, for a sample program plan.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration

This course of study focuses on client-centered clinical practice, and prepares nurses to respond to the needs of today's and tomorrow's health care consumers, to manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention interventions into health care delivery, and to recognize their potential for professional growth, responsibility and autonomy.

 

Successful completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner program qualifies students to sit for national certifying examinations for family nurse practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.

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Tuition & Program Costs

MSN students pay the standard PLU tuition rate, which for the 2009-10 school year is $888 per semester hour. Fees are subject to change without notice. Click here to download an estimate of MSN educational costs (including tuition, books, fees, and standard costs for graduate nursing students).

A reminder: a quarter credit is equivalent to two-thirds of a semester credit; estimate fees accordingly.

Click here to download MSN Educational Costs sheet (PDF)

Please note: Entry-Level MSN students pay a cohort tuition that differs from the standard PLU tuition rates; see the ELMSN information page for tuition outlines.

Criteria for Consideration of Admission

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

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

Minimum Criteria for Admission to MSN Programs

 Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. Applicants must:

    * Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
    * Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school of nursing (BSN to MSN. applicants only).
    * Hold an active unencumbered Washington State RN license (BSN to MSN and RN-B applicants only)
    * Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale for all college work
    * Have a minimum grade of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale in each prerequisite course
    * Submit PLU Graduate Application forms and $40 non-refundable fee
    * Have civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as any other applicable territory or country
    * Have documented fluency in speaking, reading, writing and comprehending graduate-level English (see policy and procedures in the Graduate Application Addendum)
    * Submit the School of Nursing Addendum packet, which includes:

        * Questions Relative to Licensure
        * Policy/Procedures for students who have attended another school of nursing
        * Washington State Patrol Disclosure Affidavit and non-refundable $15 fee
        * Policy/Procedures Regarding English Proficiency
        * and Physical/Psychological Expectations of Nurses preparing for Professional Practice

    * Submit the following:

        * Official transcripts from each college and university attended
        * Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results from tests taken less than five years ago.Minimum scores: BSN to MSN applicant minimum scores: 450 in both the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 4.00 in Analytical Writing section. RN-B to EL-MSN. and Entry-Level MSN applicant minimum scores: 500 in both the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 4.0 in the Analytical Writing section.
        * Professional statement of goals
        * Two letters of recommendation

One year of direct-care RN experience within the last 5 years is highly recommended.



MSN Core Curriculum

Prerequisite Courses for Traditional MSN: Introductory Statistics (including inferential and descriptive)

 
NURS 523: Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 credits)
NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
NURS 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
NURS 526: Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
NURS 527: Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)
Approved Elective (2-3)
M.S.N. Capstone (2-4)
NURS 596: Scholarly Inquiry (2) or
NURS 599: Thesis (4)

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.

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