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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Graduate Program Mission and Objectives
Prerequisites
- Prerequisites for admission to the Orvis School of Nursing Master of Science Program:
1. Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing froma CCNE or NLN academic institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better. - 2. Current unrestricted licensure as an RN in Nevada.
3. Successful completion of a three credit graduate level applied statistics course (at UNR - EDRS 640).
Application
Admission for all tracks in the Master of Science in Nursing Program occurs once annually. Deadline for all application materials is March 1st for admission to the following Fall semester.
Applying to the Orvis School of Nursing Graduate Program is a two-part process: The initial step is completing an application to the UNR graduate school online www.unr.edu/grad. This includes submitting your transcripts from previous studies. Three professional references are also required. A link for these references is found as part of the online application. The Graduate School will then forward your application and references to the School of Nursing for review. All materials are required to be submitted by March 1, 2012.
- * GRE scores are not mandatory for admission into the Graduate Nursing Program. However, the dual degree and other programs at UNR may require them.
Applicants are to submit to the Orvis School of Nursing:
- * A resume that includes educational, professional and community service experience.
- * A letter of intent should be single spaced, 12 point font, and no longer than 1000
- words. It should include the following information:
* Explain why you have chosen the University of Nevada, Reno, Orvis School
of Nursing for your graduate studies.
* Share which track (FNP, EDU, or CNL) you have chosen to pursue and
describe how you envision functioning in this role as part of an
interprofessional team.
* Describe leadership experiences, both professional and personal that
have prepared you for Graduate Studies.
* Discuss ideas you have for your Master's project, professional paper,
or thesis.
The document is due by the deadline of March 1, 2012.
Submit to Jeannine Patterson at jeanninep@unr.edu
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.
Careers Opportunities, Scholarships, and Travel Assistance for Conferences
Employment and Scholarship Resources are available from Professional Nursing Network.TM
Scholarships are merit awards based on academic performance. Information on the types of programs, application procedures, and a search of available scholarships is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships website.
For graduate students desiring to attend professional meetings that may or may not include an opportunity for poster/podium presentation, please go to the Graduate Student Association for information related to travel assistance: http://www.unr.edu/gsa/default.html.
Completion of the Program
Upon completion of the program, clinical option graduates are prepared to work as Clinical Nurse Leaders, Nurse Educators or Family Nurse Practitioners and are eligible to take national certification examinations.
The Notice of Completion is the last form to be completed by the student and then signed by the thesis/project committee following successful defense and/or comprehensive examination. The form can be found at the University of Nevada, Reno, Graduate School web page at http://www.unr.edu/grad/ - click on forms on the left side of the screen- at the bottom of the page is the heading "Master's Degree Notice of Completion".
Contact Information
Specific application questions may be answered by the following:
Dr. Stephanie DeBoor, Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Bernadette Longo, Clinical Nurse Leader Coordinator
Kimberly Baxter, Family Nurse Practitioner Coordinator
Accreditation
The Master of Science Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nurse Education.
Certificates
Postgraduate certificates are also offered in CNL, FNP, and Educator options.