Entry Level MSN | MS in Nursing

Entry-Level Pathway to the MSN

Schedule

Program length: 27 months (not including pre-requisite coursework)

Program start: Summer (early June)

Pre-licensure portion: Attend classes full-time, Monday through Friday. PLU classes may be scheduled any time between 8:00am and 8:00pm. Students must be available for clinicals anytime between 6:00am and 11:00pm. Students in the pre-licensure portion are strongly encouraged not to work. None of the classes are online.

The post-licensure portion: Designed for the working nurse, with most students working 0.5-0.6 FTE while enrolled in this traditional, on-campus program. Classes have generally been held on one evening and one full day, plus additional hours for practicums. The exception to this has been summer and J-Term courses, as days and times vary. Class dates are subject to change from one year to the next, and none of the classes are offered online. Clinical experiences are usually during the day or evening shift, depending on preceptorship requirements (which are heavier toward the end of the program). We encourage applicants with flexible work schedules to accommodate varying class times and practicums.

Note: Please note that applicants must decide between applying for our Traditional Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) program on our Tacoma campus, our Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Lynwood, and our Entry Level Master’s of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program on our Tacoma campus. Applicants are not allowed to have an active application for more than one program concurrently, as per our admissions process.

Sample Curriculum

Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Track

Summer 2024 15 credits
GNUR 305: Patho/Pharm I (4)
GNUR 306: Found of Care Delivery/Health Promotion (3)
GNUR 307: Health & Physical Assessment (3)
GNUR 308: Clinical Practicum I (3)
GNUR 309: Prof Foundations & Principles of Leadership (2)

Fall 2024 13 credits
GNUR 310: Scholarly Writing Concepts (1)
GNUR 311: Patho/Pharm II (2)
GNUR 314: Care of Chronic Conditions (3)
GNUR 315: Psych/Mental Health (2)
GNUR 316: Clinical Practicum II (5)

Spring 2025 16 credits
GNUR 401: Care of Complex Conditions (3)
GNUR 402: Patho/Pharm III (2)
GNUR 403: Clinical Practicum III (5)
GNUR 404: Healthcare Diversity (4)
GNUR 405: Informed Practice (2)

Summer 2025 12 credits
GNUR 406: Continuity of Care (3)
GNUR 407: Clinical Practicum IV (6)
GNUR 483: Transition to Practice (1)
GNUR 498: Capstone Project (2)

Fall 2025 10 credits
GNUR 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
GNUR 541: Advanced Health Assessment & Health Promotion (3)
GNUR 544: Advanced Nursing Management of Illness & Disease (4)

January Term 2026 4 credits
GNUR 523: Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (2)
GNUR 534: Informatics & Nursing Healthcare (2)

Spring 2026 13 credits
GNUR 526: Leadership and Management (3)
GNUR 527: Evaluations and Outcomes Research (3)
GNUR 542: Advanced Pathophysiology & Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (3)
GNUR 531: Clinical Outcomes Management I (4) (for CNL Track)

Summer 2026 10 credits
GNUR 530: Resource Management (3) (For CNL Track)
GNUR 532: Clinical Outcomes Management II (5) (For CNL Track)
GNUR 596: Scholarly Inquiry (2)

Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Track