Nursing grad brochure

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN

NURSING ENTRY-LEVEL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING | DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE

PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Ranked among the top 100 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, PLU’s Graduate Nursing Program offers highly sought-after degrees that prepare students for dynamic, successful careers in nursing and healthcare leadership.

www.plu.edu/graduate

INSIDE NURSING PATHWAYS.................................................................................................... 2 ENTRY-LEVEL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING.......................................3 MASTER OF NURSING CARE AND OUTCOMES MANAGER �������������������4 DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE.........................................................................5 ABOUT OUR FACULTY.................................................................................................6 ABOUT OUR AREA........................................................................................................6

ABOUT PLU Pacific Lutheran University purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies and civic engagement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. With distinctive international programs and close student-faculty research opportunities, PLU helps its 3,300 students from all faiths and backgrounds discern their life’s vocation through coursework, mentorship and internships at world-class Puget Sound-area businesses and institutions. Founded in 1890 by Norwegian pioneers, PLU continues the distinctive tradition of Lutheran higher education through its commitment to the advancement of knowledge, thoughtful inquiry and questioning, the preparation of citizens in service to the world and to its ongoing reform. Located in the Parkland neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, PLU is set in a region that also offers vast opportunities for outdoor recreation, culture and sports.

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PROGRAMS AND PATHWAYS

No matter what your degree, we have a graduate pathway designed to meet your needs.

ENTERING EDUCATION LEVEL

Non-Nursing Bachelor

RN who has non-nursing Bachelor

PLU GRADUATE PROGRAM

2 year ELMSN

12-15 month RN/B MSN

PLU GRADUATE DEGREE

MSN

MSN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

1 year MSN or 3 year full time/ 4 year part time DNP

MSN or DNP

MSN— Not ARNP prepared

MSN— ARNP prepared

2 year DNP

2 year DNP

DNP

DNP

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ENTRY-LEVEL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Designed as an accelerated pathway into nursing for those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees.

98%

First-time pass rate on NCLEX-RN exam

THE PLU DIFFERENCE • Graduate with a Master’s degree AND one year of work experience as an RN. • Scholarships and fellowships available.

THE SCHEDULE • First 15 months: Intensive pre-licensure coursework.

• Take NCLEX-RN exam.

• Complete one additional year of master’s-level coursework designed for nurses to work part-time.

(Students are able and encouraged to work up to half-time as an RN during the second year of the program.)

Prerequisites • College-Level Statistics (both descriptive and inferential) • Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with on-site lab within last six years) • Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with on-site lab within last six years) • Developmental Psychology-Lifespan • Intro to Microbiology (with on-site lab within last six years)

“Choosing PLU’s ELMSN program was easy because PLU is recognized for its academics. The School of Nursing is well-known for use of evidence-based practices and the development of nurse leaders in healthcare, and PLU, as a whole, has strong affiliations with other leading organizations in the area. At 28, I knew I wanted to obtain a Master’s degree, but I couldn’t see returning to university for a four-year BSN degree followed by another two years for the MSN. PLU’s ELMSN is very thorough and provided me every opportunity to learn and excel as both a student and developing leader.”

—Alexandria Haman

LEARN MORE WWW.PLU.EDU/MSN

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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING CARE AND OUTCOMES MANAGER Designed to prepare nurses to lead change in a complex healthcare environment.

THE PLU DIFFERENCE • Graduates are eligible to sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader exam.

• Scholarships and fellowships available.

90%

3-year first time pass rate

THE SCHEDULE • BSN-MSN: 1 year of coursework designed for the working nurse.

• RN-B-MSN (for those with an RN lisence and a nonnursing bachelor’s degree). 12-15 months, not including prerequisites. “ PLU’s Nursing program has a very positive reputation in the community.

PLU graduates are ‘system thinkers’ – they tend to see the bigger picture and have strong critical synthesis skills.

Those graduating with BSN degrees are becoming more valued as organizations continue to prepare for the Pathways to Excellence or Magnet Journey.

Healthcare systems are seeking to recruit these nurses, as they bring exceptional professional energy to the workplace!”

—Sally Watkins, Administrative Director, Clinical Resource Management, CHI Franciscan Health

LEARN MORE WWW.PLU.EDU/MSN

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DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE Designed for nurses seeking a degree at the highest level of nursing practice.

100%

Historical pass rate on FNP national certification exam

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER The Family Nurse Practitioner specialization is ideal for nurses who want to provide primary care to families. Core coursework focuses on client-centered clinical practice and prepares nurses to respond to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare consumers, to manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, and to incorporate health promotion and disease-prevention interventions into healthcare delivery. The Family Nurse Practitioner cares for the whole family through the whole lifespan.

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner strand (PMHNPs) prepares registered nurses who are prepared through advanced education and clinical training to provide a wide range of psychiatric and mental health care services to individuals and families across the lifespan. PMHNPs are responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, or mental health problems such as loss, grief, adjustment problems, difficulty with coping with aspects of their lives including physical health problems. PMHNPs focused on therapeutic milieu (assuring the activities and interaction in the environment supported positive outcomes for patients) and psychotherapy (individual, group, and family). PMHNPs may conduct physical exams, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, and write prescriptions.

SCHEDULE/3 PATHWAYS • BSN-DNP: Three-year full-time; four-year part-time

LEARN MORE WWW.PLU.EDU/DNP

• MSN-DNP(non-ARNP-prepared): Two years full-time * • MSN-DNP: Two years part-time* *Total coursework required will depend on gap analysis.

OUR FACULTY SHEILA SMITH PH.D., RN, ARNP Dean of the School of Nursing, Professor of Nursing Area of Emphasis or Expertise: Adult Health, Women’s Health, Nursing Theory, Social Determinants of Health, Interprofessional Education, Program Evaluation

GARY MAHON PH.D. Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing Areas of Emphasis or Expertise: • Healthcare Informatics • Outcomes Research • EMR/EHR System Implementation • Data Analysis • Leadership Development

TERI WOO PH.D., RN, ARNP Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs, Associate Professor of Nursing Areas of Emphasis or Expertise: • Pharmacology • Pediatric Pharmacology • Pediatric Primary Care • Weight Bias • Clinical Nurse Leader role

MARY MOLLER PH.D., RN, ARNP Associate Professor of Nursing Area of Emphasis or Expertise: Mental Health, Psychopharmacology

ANDREA CORONA PHARM.D. Instructor of Nursing Area of Emphasis or Expertise: Pharmacology

LORENA GUERRERO PH.D., RN, ARNP Assistant Professor of Nursing, Interim Director of Continued Nursing Education Areas of Emphasis or Expertise: Adult Health, Family Nurse Practitioner

SALLY WATKINS PH.D., RN Instructor of Nursing Area of Emphasis or Expertise: Leadership, Health Policy

DANA ZAICHKEN PH.D., RN Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing Area of Emphasis or Expertise: Community Health

ABOUT OUR LOCATION PLU’s parklike campus is nestled in a wooded neighborhood seven miles south of downtown Tacoma. We’re also right off the major Interstate 5 corridor, so the metropolitan hubs of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia are easily accessible, along with must-see attractions such as Mount Rainier National Park; Tacoma’s waterfront Point Defiance Park and Zoo; and hiking, biking and water activities.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS 253.535.8570 | gradadmission@plu.edu Tacoma, WA 98447-0003

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