Master of Science in Nursing

Associate Dean, Administration and Compliance, Chief Nursing Administrator: Joan Owens, PhD, RN

Professors: S. Boysen (Emeritus), N. Crogan (Emeritus), M. McFarland (Emeritus), J. Ramirez, J. Tiedt, M. Shaw
Associate Professors: C. Kottwitz, L. Murphy (Emeritus), J. Owens, B. Senger, 
Assistant Professors: M. DeNysschen, E. Hennessey, J. Rock, M. Schiavenato, C. Sloan
Senior Lecturers: N. Beckham, J. Derzay, D. Smith
Lecturers: S. Edwards, S. Ellefson, J. Garrity, D. Jacobson, Manion, K.  H. Newton, D. Ogorek, D. Peck, T. Redman, Cline, K., Evans, J., Hoving, B., Maefsky, K., Magee, D., Staaben, J., Todd, S., Tviet, T.

Introduction

The Department of Nursing offers three advanced education nursing options at the master’s level: the accelerated RN to MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), the MSN, and second Master's in Nursing. Each of these options emphasize leadership, the integration of theoretical concepts from nursing and related disciplines, and the application of these theories to practice. Both role development and preparation in a specialty area are emphasized. Grounded in Jesuit and nursing values, the MSN program prepares Registered Nurses to assume roles as Family Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, or Nursing Leaders in Healthcare. With Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) as the organizing framework for the curriculum, the program builds on the themes of servant leadership, social justice, community, and reflective practice. Gonzaga's MSN program is offered in an online, distance delivery format with scheduled on-campus immersions. This format enables nurses in geographically isolated areas and those who are unable to attend an on-campus program to pursue advanced nursing education and still continue to provide much-needed nursing services in their home communities while completing graduate studies. Nurse Practitioner graduates are qualified to take the national certification examinations for their areas of specialization. National certification is a requirement for licensure as a nurse practitioner in most states. Students are responsible for checking, and adhering to, state mandates for practice while in the student role and in an advanced nursing role.

Program Overview

Students who enter the master's program through the accelerated RN to MSN option complete a total of five courses (15 credits) that "bridge" them to the graduate-level courses. After completing these "bridge" courses, they progress directly to the core courses in the MSN program provided they have successfully completed all bridge courses with a grade of “C” or better and have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0. They then matriculate to the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare (NLH) MSN track.

Students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree are admitted directly into the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Students apply for admission to one of three specialty tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner (47 credits), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (47 credits), or Nursing Leadership in Healthcare (30 credits).

Students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and Registered Nurse license are also able to be admitted directly into the Master of Science in Nursing program, but must complete a minimum of four pre-requisite courses prior to starting the master’s-level courses.

In the nurse practitioner tracks, students complete five MSN core courses plus courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment before progressing into the direct care core courses that prepare them for advanced practice. Students in these pathways complete 600 hours (10 credits) of practicum or clinical experience in their specialty area.

Students preparing for the advanced role specialty of Nursing Leader in Healthcare complete three MSN core courses plus six specialty didactic courses in organizational leadership and healthcare. Students in the NLH specialty track also complete 180 hours (3 credits) of practicum. 

The second master’s degree option is designed for the Registered Nurse who already possesses a master’s degree in nursing but desires additional preparation in another specialty area. The program is structured to meet the needs and schedules of working Registered Nurses through the same distance delivery format used in the MSN program. The total credits required may vary depending on each student’s background and preparation.

Students are referred to the relevant Department of Nursing Student Handbook for a more detailed overview of requirements and expectations. There are separate handbooks for the BSN and graduate (MSN and DNP) programs. 

RN to MSN Program (for Registered Nurses)

The RN to MSN option offers the licensed Registered Nurse with an associate's degree in nursing the opportunity to earn a master's degree in nursing in less time and with fewer credits than would be required if completing separate BSN and MSN degrees. The MSN is the degree awarded; there is no option for earning a separate BSN degree. In an effort to meet the needs of working Registered Nurses, the program is offered in an online distance delivery format with scheduled on-campus immersions during the MSN coursework. Students complete five courses (15 credits) that "bridge" them to the master's level courses: PHIL 280 – Persons & Conduct; NURS 320 – Statistics for Health Professionals; NURS 406 – Nursing Research; NURS 463 – Community Health; and NURS 464 – Community Health Practicum. Upon successful completion of the "bridge" courses, students’ progress immediately to the graduate level courses with an emphasis on preparation for an advanced role as a Nursing Leader in Healthcare. 

Admission

1. Students applying to Gonzaga University must submit Gonzaga’s Graduate Application, which can be accessed online at https://www.gonzaga.edu/gradapply
2. Along with the application for graduate study, each program at Gonzaga has distinct admission requirements. Please refer to the table below to view that detailed information.

Degree Requirements

The RN to MSN program requires the completion of five "bridge" courses (15 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to progress to MSN-level course work.

RN to MSN

Bridge Courses: 15 Credits

Graduate (MSN) Courses:

Achievement of a grade of B or better is expected in graduate studies. Students who successfully complete the "bridge" courses with a minimum grade of “C” and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 progress directly to the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare MSN-level courses.

Required Core Courses for All MSN NP Tracks: 15 Credits

All of the core courses are offered online and must be completed for each of the specialty NP tracks. These courses provide the theoretical foundation for role development and expose the students to concepts and issues that undergird all areas of advanced nursing practice. Courses include content in health policy analysis and development, information management, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Students in the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare track will complete a slightly different set of core courses as some of the content is built into their specialty courses, see below. 

Nursing Leadership in Healthcare (NLH) Track: 30 Credits (including Core)

This track prepares Registered Nurses to assume leadership and administrative positions in inpatient, ambulatory care, and community-based settings. Students gain knowledge and competency in financial and human capital management, as well as strategies for responding to the ethical and legal issues encountered in administrative roles. Students have the opportunity to select three of four courses from the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program, which also allows them to integrate with other business leaders, expand their understanding of organizational dynamics and organizational change, and to view leadership from diverse perspectives. The NLH core courses are offered online. There is a required two-day, on-campus immersion during the last practicum course.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track: 47 Credits (including Core)

This track prepares students to provide a holistic approach to primary care for individuals and families of all ages and to manage a wide variety of acute and chronic health problems. Family Nurse Practitioners work in independent as well as collaborative practice settings, such as private practices, urgent care centers, health maintenance organizations, clinics, health departments, student health centers, and clinics for the homeless or uninsured. The FNP core courses are offered online. Students are required to participate in one on-campus immersion during each of the four practicum courses as well as two on-campus immersions when taking the Advanced Health Assessment course (for a total of 6 on-campus immersions). These immersions are two to three days in length. Students residing in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each practicum course. Students living outside of this four-state region are required to arrange for an additional on-campus day in conjunction with the immersion experience during each practicum course in order to complete the faculty site visit requirement. Students may only be admitted if they reside in one of these ten western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track: 47 Credits (including Core)

This track prepares students to work as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. They are prepared to provide the full range of services that comprise primary mental health care in diverse settings with a variety of clients/patients, to provide clinical and professional leadership, and facilitate system improvements. Their clinical practice focuses on persons of all ages with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and individuals, families, or populations at risk for mental illness. The PMHNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus immersion during each of the three practicum courses and two on-campus immersions when taking the Advanced Health Assessment course (for a total of 5 on-campus immersions). These immersions are two days in length. Students will have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each of the three specialty practicum courses.  Additional site visits are arranged as needed. Students may only be admitted if they reside in one of these ten western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

Second Master's Degree in Nursing

After faculty review the student's transcript and determine the courses needed to complete the student's chosen specialty pathway, the student typically completes between 21 to 35 credits, depending on the track, to obtain a second master's degree in Nursing.

Second Master's Degree Program Tracks:

Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Track: 21-24 Credits

This track prepares Registered Nurses to assume leadership and administrative positions in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings. Students gain knowledge and competency in financial and human capital management, as well as strategies for responding to the ethical and legal issues encountered in administrative roles. The NLH core courses are offered online. Practicum experiences are arranged by the student to meet identified learning needs. There is a required two-day, on-campus immersion during the last practicum course.

Family Nurse Practitioner Track: 32-35 Credits

This track prepares students to provide a holistic approach to primary care for individuals and families of all ages and to manage a wide variety of acute and chronic health problems. Family Nurse Practitioners work in independent as well as collaborative practice settings, such as private practices, urgent care centers, health maintenance organizations, clinics, health departments, student health centers, and clinics for the homeless or uninsured. The FNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus immersion during each of the four specialty practicum courses as well as two on-campus immersions when taking the Advanced Health Assessment course (for a total of 6 immersions). These immersions are two days or more in length. Students residing in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each practicum course.  Students living outside of this four-state region are required to arrange for an additional on-campus day in conjunction with the immersion during each practicum course in order to complete the faculty site visit requirement.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track: 32-35 Credits

This track prepares students to work as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. They are prepared to provide the full range of services that comprise primary mental health care in diverse settings with a variety of clients/patients, to provide clinical and professional leadership, and facilitate system improvements. Their clinical practice focuses on persons of all ages with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and individuals, families, or populations at risk for mental illness. The PMHNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus immersion during each of the three specialty practicum courses and two on-campus immersions when taking the Advanced Health Assessment course (for a total of 5 immersions). These immersions are two days in length. Students will have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each of the three practicum courses.  Additional site visits are arranged as needed.