Orvis School of Nursing

Nursing Website	Nursing Programs

William N. Pennington Health Sciences Building

Cameron Duncan, Interim Dean
341 Pennington Health Sciences
(775) 682-7166

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

The bachelor’s degree program is designed to provide the high school graduate, as well as graduates of associate degree and diploma nursing with the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Registered Nurses seeking to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing see the RN-BSN section. 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. See criteria below.

The baccalaureate degree program is approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

Pre-nursing major students must complete the Silver Core Curriculum requirements below in addition to the nursing prerequisites before entering the nursing major. No grade below C in any course will be accepted as applicable to the nursing degree.

RN TO BSN

The RN to BSN program is delivered completely online and is designed to provide the graduate of associate degree and diploma nursing with the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. 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 agencies. Baccalaureate graduates may also earn commissioned status in the military services, as well as admission to graduate education. The RN to BSN degree program major is two to four semesters with admissions occurring both spring and fall semesters.

RN to BSN major students must complete the Silver Core Curriculum requirements in addition to the nursing prerequisites before entering the major. No grade below C in any course will be accepted as applicable to the nursing degree.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

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 eight specializations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practicioner (AGPCNP), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), MSN Generalist, and Nurse Educator. Post-master’s advanced graduate certificates are also available in a variety of specialties (AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP, CNL, Nurse Educator, and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practicioner. The MSN program and post-master’s advanced graduate certificates are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

GRADUATE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Create a systematic approach to clinical reasoning based on best evidence, research, and knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to make decisions which optimize the health of populations and the delivery of care across a range of sociocultural settings
Role model communication strategies and teamwork to intentionally collaborate with interprofessional teams, individuals, groups, and populations across a range of sociocultural settings to advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive care in professional environments.
Assumes leadership roles in the analysis, delivery and management of nursing practice and the micro through meso levels of health care systems (MSN)
Evaluate quality improvement principles, standards, methods, and strategies to identify health and systems problems and translate evidence-based change in practice settings.
Analyze systematic processes across settings using evidenced-based strategies and standards, to promote a just culture of safety, and to prevent or minimize risk to self, patients, and environment.
Appraise health care technology, data, and information literacy, while considering risks and ethical requirements, to plan, implement, and evaluate person and population-centered care and assist in system-wide best practice decisions in a variety of settings.
Integrate person and population-centered care that is respectful of differing sociocultural needs based on best evidence, clinical judgment, and sound legal/ethical principles to maximize health for diverse individuals, groups and populations.
Expand professional identity through leadership and advocacy that promotes the needs of self, individuals, groups and populations and the nursing profession while improving the healthcare system.

ACADEMIC ADMISSION TO THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING MAJOR

This is a two-step process, wherein the applicant must first meet the university’s Graduate School requirements as well as the Orvis School of Nursing MSN requirements. Application is made through the Graduate School. Application materials are due on or before March 1 for consideration for the fall semester and October 1 for spring semester (only CNL, MSN Generalists, Nurse Educator, Pediatric Acute Care NP, and Post-Master’s certificates are eligible for fall and spring admissions). Priority review of applications received by March 1, will take place with notification of acceptance by mid April. For Spring admission those applications received by October 1, will receive priority review and notification of acceptance by mid November. Students are notified of admission, denial, or waitlist status by April 15th for fall admission and November 15th for Spring admission.

Admission criteria includes:

Have a cummulative undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
Completed a baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited nursing school.

Completed an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a Regionally and an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited nursing school, 2 years clinical experience, and a complimentary Bachelor degree.

In addition, the following is required:

Have verification of current unencumbered licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the United States. Students must be eligible to practice as a registered nurse in Nevada;
Submit a purpose statement/letter of intent including why they wish to attend the University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing, which program are they apply for and where they see themselves practicing upon graduation, provide any personal or professional achievements, and graduate-study goals;
Provide three professional letters of recommendation.
Successful completion of a graduate level applied statistics course prior to fall admission. (EDRS 640 or NURS 640 from UNR is recommended).

An interview may be required.

The total of required units for completing the degree varies according to the option the student selects. The minimum number of required units for completion of the MSN is 31. With graduate advisor approval, MSN students may apply more than 3 S/U units to the 31 units required.

Applicants who plan to apply graduate-level credit earned at another university to the University of Nevada, Reno may be able to satisfy specific course requirements in the nursing program. Applicants must provide specific course information for review to determine if the transferred courses are equivalent to university requirements. If approved, such courses may be included in the official program of study.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

MSN students must maintain a minimum grade of “B” in each required graduate level nursing course. Students who receive grades below “B” may repeat one course one time.

PREREQUISITE FOR 700-LEVEL NURSING COURSES

Prerequisites for 700-level nursing courses are: admission to both the Graduate School and the graduate program of the Orvis School of Nursing or permission of the OSN Associate Dean for Graduate Programs.

A graduate level statistics course is a prerequisite of all programs of study. Please contact the OSN Associate Dean for Graduate Programs for information on admission as a graduate non-degree seeking student.

DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal professional practice degree. The goal of the University of Nevada Reno, D.N.P. program is to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in clinical practice, administration, clinical teaching leadership, and health policy. The D.N.P. differs from the Ph.D. in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science degrees, by emphasizing advanced clinical practice, implementation of best practices, and evaluation of practice and care delivery models rather than individually initiated research.

Both the Post-Master’s DNP and the post B.S.N. to D.N.P. program options prepare graduates for advanced clinical practice and leadership roles to serve the healthcare needs of the people of Nevada, the nation, and the professional community. D.N.P. graduates are equipped to assume a wide range of leadership roles in both direct and indirect healthcare settings. D.N.P. graduates may function as specialists in their advanced practice clinical roles, as nursing faculty, or as healthcare executives, program and policy analysts. The DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

The Post-Master’s DNP offers four tracks; Advanced Practice (for those who are already APRN’s), Clinical Education Leadership, Health Policy, and Nurse Executive.

The BSN to DNP offers seven specialty tracks: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Nurse Executive/Clinical Nurse Leadership, and Clinical Education Leadership.

DNP PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the University of Nevada D.N.P. program, graduates will:

Create a systematic approach to clinical reasoning based on best evidence, research, and knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to make decisions which optimize the health of populations and the delivery of care across a range of sociocultural settings
Role model communication strategies and teamwork to intentionally collaborate with interprofessional teams, individuals, groups, and populations across a range of sociocultural settings to advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive care in professional environments.
Assumes innovative leadership roles in the analysis, delivery and management of nursing practice and the micro through macro levels of health care systems (DNP)
Evaluate quality improvement principles, standards, methods, and strategies to identify health and systems problems and translate evidence-based change in practice settings.
Analyze systematic processes across settings using evidenced-based strategies and standards, to promote a just culture of safety, and to prevent or minimize risk to self, patients, and environment.
Appraise health care technology, data, and information literacy, while considering risks and ethical requirements, to plan, implement, and evaluate person and population-centered care and assist in system-wide best practice decisions in a variety of settings.
Integrate person and population-centered care that is respectful of differing sociocultural needs based on best evidence, clinical judgment, and sound legal/ethical principles to maximize health for diverse individuals, groups and populations.
Expand professional identity through leadership and advocacy that promotes the needs of self, individuals, groups and populations and the nursing profession while improving the healthcare system.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (POST-MASTER’S DNP)

The applicant must:

hold a MS degree with a concentration in nursing from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited institution.
hold a current unencumbered license and be licensed at a level consistent with the focus of D.N.P. study (RN and/or APRN).
hold national certification (or be eligible for certification within specialty).
have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the graduate level.
have completed graduate-level course work (with a grade of B or better) in pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, research & nursing theory (clinical specialization applicants).
With application to the Graduate School please submit:
a resume’ or vitae that includes education, professional employment and/or community service experience.
a letter of intent or personal statement, that should be single spaced, 12-point font, and no longer than 1,000 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 (Advanced Practice, Clinical Education Leadership, Health Policy, or Nurse Executive ) you have chosen to pursue and describe how you envision functioning in this role as part of an inter-professional team.
- Describe leadership experiences, both professional and personal, that have prepared you for graduate studies.
- Idea for capstone project.
Three professional letters of recommendation.

Please refer to the specific specialization for detailed requirements

https://www.unr.edu/degrees/nursing/dnp#requirements

Deadline

The Application deadline for the O.S.N. Post-Master’s D.N.P. program at UNR is March 1 for Fall’s cohort and October 1 for Spring’s cohort. Priority review of applications received by March 1, will take place with notification of acceptance by mid April. For Spring admission those applications received by October 1, will receive priority review and notification of acceptance by mid November. Eligible applicants applying after stated due dates will be reviewed and offered admission on a first come, first served basis. Students are notified of admission, denial, or waitlist status by April 15th for fall admission and November 15th for Spring admission.

The total of required units for completing the Post-Master’s DNP degree is 30 units.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (BSN to DNP)

Have an overall undergraduate grade-point average of at least a 3.0.
Complete a baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited nursing school.
Have verification of an unencumbered, current license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States. Students must be eligible to practice as a registered nurse in Nevada.
Successful completion of a graduate level applied statistics course prior to admission. EDRS 640 or NURS 640 at UNR is recommended.
With application to the Graduate School please submit:
a resume’ or vitae that includes education, professional employment and/or community service experience.
a letter of intent or personal statement; should be single spaced, 12-point font, and no longer than 1,000 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 (AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, Clinical Education Leadership, Nurse Executive/CNL, Pediatric Acute Care NP or PMHNP) you have chosen to pursue and describe how you envision functioning in this role as part of an inter-professional team.
- Describe leadership experiences, both professional and personal, that have prepared you for graduate studies.
- Including graduate-study goals for capstone project..
and three professional letters of recommendation.
An interview may be required.

Deadline

The Application deadline for the post BSN to D.N.P. program at UNR is March 1 for Fall’s cohort. Eligible applicants applying after stated due dates will be reviewed and offered admission on a first come, first served basis. Students are notified of admission, denial, or waitlist status by April 15th for fall admission.

The total of required units for completing the degree varies according to the option the student selects. The minimum number of required units for completion of the BSN to DNP is 68. With graduate advisor approval, BSN to DNP students may apply more than 3 S/U units to the 68-72 units required.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

DNP students must maintain a minimum grade of “B” in each required graduate level nursing course. Students who receive grades below “B” may repeat one course one time.