Master of Science in Nursing - Entry (MSN)
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Examine the Curriculum
100% percent of our 2007 class passed the RN licensing exam with 97% percent passing it the first time.
We attribute student success to their motivation, our faculty's commitment to teaching and learning,
and WesternU's emphasis on early-patient contact.
Upon graduation you will not only have obtained your RN license and MSN degree, but you will also have the accomplished these goals immersed in nursing from your first semester.
Curriculum Overview
You will study on campus for the pre-licensure phase (4 semesters) of the MSN-Entry curriculum while preparing for your RN licensure exam. During the post-licensure phase (5-8 semesters), you will focus on one of four tracks and learn through a web-based curriculum. Once in this phase, you will only visit campus twice per semester and will work in your community as a registered nurse.
Pre-Licensure Curriculum - 58 units
As you click on each Semester, corresponding course details will appear in the box below.
For more detail regarding these courses, please review the course descriptions.
Post-Licensure Curriculum
Toward the end of your first year, you will choose an area of emphasis or track. Each will prepare you well for the practice specialty of your choice. Hover over the track names below to learn more:
Leadership and Management (34 units, 5 semesters, full time)
This program will provide you with the latest knowledge and applied skills to be an effective leader in today's complex health-care environment. Today's health-care systems require nurse leaders who can integrate experience, knowledge, research, and technology and effectively work in an inter-professional team.
This program will provide you with the latest knowledge and applied skills to be an effective leader in today's complex health-care environment. Today's health-care systems require nurse leaders who can integrate experience, knowledge, research, and technology and effectively work in an inter-professional team.
Clinical Nurse Leader (50 units, 5 semesters, full time)
In practice, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This master's degree-prepared clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care. The CNL is a leader in the health-care delivery system who evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and makes population-based health-care decisions.
In practice, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This master's degree-prepared clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care. The CNL is a leader in the health-care delivery system who evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and makes population-based health-care decisions.
Ambulatory Care (32 units, 5 semesters, full time)
Ambulatory care nursing is a unique realm of nursing practice that takes place in the outpatient, ambulatory-care setting. It is characterized by rapid, focused assessments of patients, long-term nurse/patient/family relationships, and teaching and translating prescriptions for care into doable activities for patients and their caregivers in the outpatient setting.
Ambulatory care nursing is a unique realm of nursing practice that takes place in the outpatient, ambulatory-care setting. It is characterized by rapid, focused assessments of patients, long-term nurse/patient/family relationships, and teaching and translating prescriptions for care into doable activities for patients and their caregivers in the outpatient setting.
Family Nurse Practitioner (70 units, 8 semesters, full time)
Nurse practitioners are primary-care providers that offer high-quality and cost-effective care to their patients. Their skills include performing physical examinations, implementing minor medical procedures (such as casting), treating illnesses, and prescribing medications. Nurse practitioners are different from other primary-care providers because they focus on wellness promotion and illness prevention from holistic, family, and community perspectives.
Nurse practitioners are primary-care providers that offer high-quality and cost-effective care to their patients. Their skills include performing physical examinations, implementing minor medical procedures (such as casting), treating illnesses, and prescribing medications. Nurse practitioners are different from other primary-care providers because they focus on wellness promotion and illness prevention from holistic, family, and community perspectives.
- Leadership and Management - 5 semesters (34 units), full time
- Clinical Nurse Leader - 5 semesters (50 units), full time
- Ambulatory Care - 5 semesters (32 units), full time
- Family Nurse Practitioner - 8 semesters (70 units), full time
Clinical Experience
During the pre-licensure portion of the curriculum, you will participate in a variety of simulated and real patient experiences to fine tune your clinical skills. Read more about the pre-licensure clinical experiences. Should you choose to enter the Clinical Nurse Leader or Family Nurse Practitioner post-licensure tracks, you will gain additional clinical experience. Read more about these post-licensure clinical experiences. The Ambulatory Care and Leadership and Management tracks provide valuable training, but do not have a clinical component
Academic Support
Caring about students and helping them achieve success is the hallmark of all WesternU faculty. Our nursing faculty are respected practitioners and scholars who keep pace with the latest teaching techniques and technology and are committed to helping you master the material.
During the on-campus portion of the curriculum (your first 16 months), you can draw on the expertise of the Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Office (LEAD). The staff of the LEAD office arrange for individual and group peer tutoring sessions, one-on-one stress relief sessions, as well as workshop on topics such as time management, test taking skills, learning styles, and review courses for licensing/certifying exams.
The College of Graduate Nursing faculty and staff are also a great resource when it comes to everyday student support, especially during the web-based portion of the curriculum. Keeping you connected to your academic schedule and coordinating the twice-a-semester Seminar Weekends will help you focus as you progress through the program.
The Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library and Bookstore support students with textbook and academic research needs, while the Computing Resources/Information Technology staff are available to provide you with critical technical support.
Outstanding Facilities
Western University is a thriving academic health center spread out over 22 acres in Pomona, CA. The main campus includes 15 major buildings.
You will also make use of our high-fidelity simulation skills laboratory, where high-tech mannequins give you the opportunity to practice nursing skills on a simulated patient in a dynamic, interactive environment.
