1. Provide evidence of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a nursing program accredited by a national nursing accreditation body with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission status. The cumulative grade point average is computed on the highest degree held at the time of application to the Edgewood College graduate program.
2. Complete and submit graduate application to Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions.
3. Request that official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic credits received from any post-secondary institutions be sent directly to Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions.
4. Provide two letters of recommendation from nursing supervisors, and/or colleagues who can focus on the candidate’s probability of success in graduate school.
5. Submit a written statement, no more than 500 words, addressing your ambition to be admitted specifically into Edgewood College’s MSN program. Please also comment on your past educational and professional experiences that will foster your growth and success in this program.
6. Currently hold a license as a registered professional nurse.
7. Prior to beginning the MSN program’s practicum requirements, students will be required to complete a health form, criminal background check, and proof of a current RN license from the state/country in which they plan to complete their practicum.

Application Deadlines:

• August 1st for fall
• January 1st for spring
• May 1st for summer

**Note application process exception for candidates who already have an Edgewood College BSN: Those who have earned a BSN from Edgewood College within the past 3 years, received at least a 3.0 GPA, and have obtained the registered nurse license are guaranteed admission into the MSN program upon application. No further application materials need be submitted. If a candidate has not met the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, he/she must apply and meet all of the admission requirements to be considered for admittance.

MSN-Clinical Nurse Specialist Curriculum

NRS 600 Clinical Prevention: Assessment & Planning for Aggregates
Study of program planning processes for high-risk and under-served aggregates. Methods of population-focused health assessment are emphasized.

NRS 612 Theoretical Foundations of Role Development for the Nurse Leader
Introductory course leading to the preparation of professional nurses to assume leadership roles in a variety of health care settings. Content areas include Principles of Leadership, Quality Improvement and Safety, Health Policy and Advocacy, and Organizational Systems Leadership.

NRS 625 Healthcare Systems and Policy
Study of organization and financing of healthcare. Students examine the impact of policies as they influence quality and cost effectiveness of healthcare.

NRS 645 Advanced Leadership Roles in the Healthcare System
Study of the roles of nurse leaders in managing resources within a nursing system to affect care delivery and outcomes. Issues and strategies for effective utilization of fiscal and human resources are emphasized.

NRS 665 Applied Statistics
Instruction focuses upon the statistical methods and data analysis and their application to nursing and evidence-based practice.

NRS 670 Translational Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice
This seminar serves as an introduction to program evaluation, quality improvement, and research methodology. Conceptual & methodological frameworks used in evaluation are examined. As part of this course, students develop an evaluation proposal of a health care program.

NRS 680 Differential Diagnosis
Course designed for family nurse practitioners to enhance assessment skills, formulate differential diagnosis, and develop therapeutic interventions for patients across the lifespan.

*NRS 690 Caring for the Middle-Aged and Older Adult (required for the MSN-Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Gerontology)

NRS 701 Advanced Pathophysiology
This course provides students with an understanding of advanced pathophysiology to aid in clinical decision-making.

NRS 702 Advanced Physical Assessment
This course integrates advanced knowledge, skills, and critical understanding necessary for the performance of a comprehensive physical assessment.

NRS 703 Advanced Pharmacology
This course prepares nurses for professional roles in advanced nursing practice with knowledge of pharmacological principles of medications commonly prescribed to prevent and/or manage adverse health conditions of patients across the lifespan.

NRS 711 Advanced Practice Clinical I
Clinical practicum that immerses CNS and FNP students into their respective role as an advanced practice nurse in the health care setting. Using the accumulated foundation of coursework, research and other evidence, students will manage illnesses in patients throughout the lifespan in a variety of clinical sites. Continuation of the application of primary prevention strategies and health maintenance will be incorporated into care. Students will be mentored by advanced practice nurse practitioners in activities expected of the role. The minimum requirement for this practicum is 167 hours.

NRS 712 Advanced Practice Clinical II
Clinical practicum that immerses CNS and FNP students into their respective role as an advanced practice nurse in the health care setting. Using the accumulated foundation of coursework, research and other evidence, students will manage illnesses in patients throughout the lifespan in a variety of clinical sites. Continuation of the application of primary prevention strategies and health maintenance will be incorporated into care. Students will be mentored by advanced practice nurse practitioners in activities expected of the role. The minimum requirement for this practicum is 167 hours.

NRS 713 Advanced Practice Clinical III
Clinical practicum that immerses CNS and FNP students into their respective role as an advanced practice nurse in the health care setting. Using the accumulated foundation of coursework, research and other evidence, students will manage illnesses in patients throughout the lifespan in a variety of clinical sites. Continuation of the application of primary prevention strategies and health maintenance will be incorporated into care. Students will be mentored by advanced practice nurse practitioners in activities expected of the role. The minimum requirement for this practicum is 167 hours.

NRS 830 Health Systems Informatics
Examining the optimization of information management and communication to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals. Frameworks include regulatory, legislative, workflow, electronic health record, billing, and telehealth. Application in professional development, translational research, and bioinformatics (genomics) are explored.

*All courses are 3 credits each.

DNP Curriculum

NRS 800 Applied Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice
A variety of research methodologies are presented in conjunction with qualitative and advanced quantitative data analysis. Leadership methods in interpretation and evaluation of research as it relates to practice are learned. Course work prepares students for their capstone project.

NRS 801 A, B Capstone Writing 1, 2
This course aims to further cultivate DNP candidates’ skillset in critiquing scholarly writing, conducting a comprehensive literature review, analyzing and synthesizing research, and producing scholarly writing themselves. Intertwined with DNP candidates’ first year of courses, this three course sequence is specifically designed to assist each candidate in the production of their Leadership Capstone Project (LCP). At the conclusion of the course sequence, the DNP candidate will begin their first Leadership Capstone Course with their Capstone topic, outline for their project, and a “working” draft of their first three chapters.

NRS 805 Healthcare Finance and Regulatory Environments
Study of the financing, accounting, and management of the U.S. health care system. Regulations and reimbursements, accounting principles, analysis of financial statements, cost analysis, pricing, staffing, and budgeting are examined. Forecasting, depreciation, inventory management, ratio, and investment analysis applied in project work.

NRS 810 Population Health and Health Policy
Population health is explored through epidemiologic research to critically examine the determinants of health, health promotion, and risk reduction strategies. Implications for health policy are reviewed. Bio-statistical approaches are used to analyze population data.

NRS 820 Health Care Service and Clinical Quality
Leadership in human resource management in healthcare, practice models ad guidelines, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and principles of risk management; ethics, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), claims management, and proactive loss control are examined. Strategies for interprofessional team effectiveness in quality processes, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction are evaluated; benchmarking metrics are outlined.

NRS 830 Health Systems Informatics
Examining the optimization of information management and communication to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals. Frameworks include regulatory, legislative, workflow, electronic health record, billing, and telehealth. Application in professional development, translational research, and bioinformatics (genomics) are explored.

NRS 835 Leadership Residency 1
This is the first of two semesters of clinical practica in combination with seminar discussion designed to provide advanced leadership skills focusing on indirect care. Students will work with course professors to identify preceptors to design their residency experience. Developing expertise in collaboration within interprofessional teams will be a foundation in addressing individual, group, community, or population needs in the context of a systems network in a U.S. healthcare organization. AONE Essentials will be applied.

NRS 840 Leadership Residency 2
This is the second of two advanced practice seminars and practica. Executive leadership and management experiences in upper level management to achieve preparation to lead, manage, and influence healthcare for positive outcomes (CGEAN). AONE Essentials will be applied.

NRS 845 Leadership Capstone 1
The capstone project is designed to equip advance practice nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the application of translational research in a clinical practice setting. In Capstone I students complete the theoretical work necessary to design a clinical Evidence Based Practice (EBP) project and write the first 3 sections of their project.

NRS 850 Leadership Capstone 2
The capstone project is designed to equip advance practice nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the application of translational research and evidence in a clinical practice setting. In Capstone II students complete the data collection necessary to analyze a clinical EBP project and write the remaining sections of their project.

NRS 855 Leadership Capstone 3 (optional)
Capstone 3 is available if student projects require an additional semester to complete.

NRS 860-Leadership Residency 3 (optional)
Residency 3 is available if the student requires an additional semester to complete hours.

*All courses are 3 credits each with the exception of NRS 801 A, B being 1.5 credits each.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Attending graduate school is one of the best investments you will ever make in yourself and your future. While the benefits related to personal development and growth are priceless, you can also expect your graduate degree to expand your career options and enhance your earning power in the marketplace. Remember, completing your Master's in Nursing or DNP degree is an investment in yourself and your career. Be sure to consider not only the total cost of your education, but think about how that total breaks down in terms of monthly costs, which can make your investment feel more manageable and affordable.

Financing your Edgewood College Degree

The Master of Science in Nursing Administration degree requires completion of a total of 30 credits. Typically, a part-time student completes their MSN in 2-3 years. The Master of Science in Nursing Administration and DNP requires completion of 60 credits.

Tuition and Financial Aid information for master’s programs.

Financial Aid

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans. Learn more about Stafford Loans, including eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Graduate Student Financial Aid

Our admissions and financial aid counselors have worked with thousands of students who have questioned how they could afford to complete their graduate education. They will use their experience to suggest creative solutions for financing your education. We work with students and organizations to manage tuition reimbursement plans, extend tuition discounts to various corporate partners in the region, offer third party billing and monthly payment plans, and work with veterans to maximize their available aid.