Orvis School of Nursing offers
undergraduate and graduate degree programs in nursing with a variety of options in both:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN/BSN Program
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health (MSN/MPH) combined degree
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
For the most current listing for classes, visit the online University Course Catalog, or visit the University's online Class Schedule. The course catalog will provide a more detailed description of the courses and requirements than the class schedule.
PreNursing Group Advising Schedule
Please visit the forms link.
Undergraduate Applications
Visit the Orvis School of Nursing forms page for the undergraduate application to the major for Spring 2012.
RN to BSN application to the major for Fall 2012 will be available on the OSN forms page in February of 2012.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The bachelor’s degree program is the basic preparation for professional nursing practice and leadership positions in nursing. After completing the program, the graduate is qualified for nursing positions in public health agencies, schools, hospitals and other health-care providers. Nursing school graduates may also earn commissioned status in the military services, as well as admission to graduate education. The bachelor’s degree program major is four semesters with admissions occurring both spring and fall semesters.
RN/BSN Program
Registered Nurses (R.N.) holding a diploma or an associate degree
in nursing from a National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC) accredited nursing school and licensed
to practice nursing where clinical courses will be completed are
eligible to apply to the RN/BSN program to earn a
baccalaureate degree in nursing. All nursing courses are delivered
via the Internet. Earning advanced placement credit by exam
is available only to nurses who have graduated from NLNAC
accredited schools.
R.N. students must complete the University Core Curriculum, the nursing prerequisites and the selected nursing major courses. Consultation with a RN/BSN faculty advisor is strongly encouraged before beginning course work. Evaluation of transfer credits may meet some lower division requirements. For RN/BSN students, acceptance into the program occurs in the fall and spring.
Advising Contact Information:
| Student Type | Advisor | Phone | Location | |
| Pre Nursing Students | Division of Health Sciences Student Center | 775-682-5930 Voice Message Only | askDHS@unr.edu | SFB 204B |
| Seeking 2nd Bachelor's Degree (Already have a 4-Year College Degree) | Mary Ann Lambert | 775-682-7150 Voice Message Only | lambert@unr.edu | PHS 320 |
RN-BSN Students |
Mary Ann Lambert | 775-682-7150 Voice Message Only | lambert@unr.edu | PHS 320 |
| Application Questions | Janita Ethridge | 775-784-6841 | janita@unr.edu | PHS 337 |
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Graduate education at the MSN level prepares registered nurses for advanced practice, educator and leadership positions in health care. MSN level study develops clinical competence and increased sophistication in exploring and identifying a theoretical framework for nursing practice. MSN education also serves as an introduction to scholarly activity for those who wish to pursue the doctoral degree in nursing. Research focuses on the search for nursing knowledge, analysis and evaluation of nursing theory and the study of strategies for nursing application. MSN education also provides students with the opportunity to realize their creative potential and collaborate with other health care professionals in maintaining effective nursing and health care.
The master’s degree program offers three areas of study: family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader and nurse educator. Post-master’s family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator certifications are also available.
Once admitted to a MSN track, a student is committed to that track. Should the student wish to change or transfer to a different track than which he/she was originally admitted, the student is required to reapply for admission to the track to which the student wants during the next application cycle. The MSN tracks are very competitive and there is no guarantee a current student will be automatically accepted to a different track through the re-admission process.
Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health (MSN/MPH) Combined Degree
The Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health combined degrees program provides an opportunity for nurses to gain knowledge and skills in public health, education, and community health nursing. There are two nursing options available within the combined degrees program. The first option provides the nurse with the knowledge and skills to practice in public health and to teach in schools of nursing or in health education settings. The second option provides the knowledge and skills to practice in public health and advanced community health nursing. In addition to the core courses of the MPH and MSN programs, the education option includes teaching and learning theories; curriculum development and evaluation, instructional design; and student and program evaluation. It includes a practice teaching experience in a school of nursing or an education practice setting. For the clinical specialization option, courses include knowledge and skills in advanced community health nursing practice.
The education track courses and some of the core courses in nursing and public health are offered through WebCT-based classes and focus on teacher-facilitated independent learning. Occasional on-campus classes are held to enhance the distance education format.
Contact Information
Specific application questions may be answered by the following:
Dr. Stephanie DeBoor, PhD, RN, CCRN, Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Bernadette Longo, PhD, RN, CNL Coordinator
Kim Baxter, R.N., M.S.N., F.N.P., FNP Coordinator
Dr. Sarah Keating, Education Track, DNP Coordinator