Gonzaga University

Nursing Programs Offered

BSN Programs
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Post-master's certificate
MSN Programs
RN Programs
RN to MSN Programs

BSN Program Details

Grounded in Jesuit and Nursing traditions, the Pre-licensure BSN nursing program offered by the Department of Nursing at Gonzaga University focuses on the values of servant leadership, social justice, community and reflective practitioner. The Nursing program embraces the framework of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) which includes nurses work, nursing roles, complexity of health care, organizations, individuals, families, communities and populations.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:

-Integrate knowledge of research, communication skills, theory and technological tools to implement the professional nursing roles with and in a complex adaptive system.
-Create a therapeutic and collaborative environment that facilitates culturally sensitive healthcare for individuals, families, organizations, communities, and populations.
-Assume professional accountability and responsibility through reflective practice, critical thinking, and use of ethical and legal standards of practice.
-Promote change in current and future health care practices through the use of servant leadership principles and knowledge of complex adaptive systems.
-Promote the nursing profession and advance social justice for the underserved through the use of nursing and Jesuit values.

MSN Program Details

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree consists of 36-47 semester credits organized around two key components. The Nursing Leadership Core provides the theoretical foundation for role development and concepts common to all areas of practice. The Nursing Practice Core provides the theoretical foundation for a clinical specialty and role concepts. In some instances, depending upon the learners' background and practice core or elective selection, additional credits may be encouraged or required. In other instances, depending on the individual's background and goals, some undergraduate or other foundational coursework may required prior to enrolling in selected graduate courses. Such requirements may be fulfilled while completing other graduate courses.

The aim of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is to prepare professionals nurses with the knowledge, skills and values essential for advanced nursing practice and leadership in the future and current health care systems and to meet the health care needs of consumers, especially the underserved, in a wide variety of settings. The program is grounded in the theme of leadership and integrates theory and research in nursing and related fields to provide a broad base for advanced practice nursing. The program stresses critical inquiry and analysis in the academic environment and application of theory and research in diverse practice settings.

Because it is intended to meet the needs of working registered nurses, the MSN program is delivered through on-campus and distance learning formats and accommodates full-time or part-time enrollment. The distributive learning format combines a variety of strategies for course delivery, clinical experiences in distance sites local to students, and participation on campus at scheduled intervals.

The majority of students enroll in 6-7 credits per semester. In some cases, the course load may be adjusted for faster or slower progression within limits of course availability. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of acceptance into and enrollment in the program. Students are encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisor early in their program to develop a tentative plan for progress. The MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

RN to MSN Program Details

RN-to-MSN program requirements 150-154 credits, depending on specialty area. Many undergraduate credits have already been earned in prior educational experiences and transfer to fulfill several of the degree requirements. Up to 64 semester credits earned in an associate degree and diploma programs can be transferred. All credits submitted for transfer approval must have a grade of at least 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale. Most registered nurses enter with 60-95 transfer credits. The majority of students enroll in 6-7 credits per semester. In some cases, the course load may be adjusted for faster or slower progression within limits of course availability. An asterisk (*) denotes requirements that are frequently fulfilled or partially fulfilled with transfer credit. The curriculum is dynamic and changes may occur on a regular basis.