Master of Nursing

The MN Nursing program prepares you for an advanced practice nursing role in acute, outpatient and community settings. You will take the master’s core course work and additional course work if pursuing a graduate certificate in organizational leadership, nursing education or public health.

Two pathways are available. You may enter the MN program with a BSN or the RN-MN program as an RN with a bachelor’s degree in any field.

To apply to the MN Program, you’ll need to meet the following requirements

If you have a BSN

A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program. Applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing but have RN licensure and a bachelor’s degree in another field may qualify for our RN-MN program
A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher in bachelor’s program
Completion of a general undergraduate-level statistics course
Written goal statement congruent with program’s philosophy and focus
Official transcripts from all previous college work
Curriculum vitae or résumé
Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur.
International students are eligible to apply if they are eligible to obtain a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur. International applicants must meet general Graduate School international applicant requirements.
International students are eligible to apply if they are eligible to obtain a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur. International applicants must meet general Graduate School international applicant requirements.
3 letters of reference
Successful completion of a written admission interview

If you are an RN with a bachelor’s degree in another field

Below is a list of admission requirements for the RN-MN program. Some of the listed requirements need to be completed prior to others. Please refer to our Steps to Apply page or consult with an RN-MN advisor before applying to the program.

Current RN license in Oregon or Washington. Must have Washington licensure by start of program
Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
Minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course as well as an overall prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or above for the following: Intro to Psychology, Intro to Sociology, Statistics, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (calculated from all college courses)
Current nursing experience (preferably 2 years)
NURS 360 Professional Nursing Concepts & Issues (2 credits)
NURS 440 Community Health Nursing Concepts (3 credits)

We admit students twice per year for fall and spring terms.

Application Deadlines

Fall start: March 15
Spring start: November 1

Contact

Tami Kelley nursing.grad.apps@wsu.edu

MN Program Course Work

MN thesis

MN non-thesis

RN-MN

Frequently Asked Questions about the MN Program

When is the application deadline?

Fall start: March 15
Spring start: November 1

How do I apply?

Visit our Steps to Apply page for information on the application process.

Is the program offered online?

MN courses are completed using a hybrid model where students participate both in class and online. Most classes meet no more than five times per semester; the remaining course work is offered online.

What are the admission requirements for the program?

Refer to the admission section for more information about specific requirements.

What does it cost to attend the program?

Visit the WSU Student Financial Services website for information on tuition and expenses.

Is the GRE required?

No, the GRE is not required.

Is an RN license required?

Yes. For U.S. residents, current Washington State RN licensure is required. International students are eligible to apply if they are eligible to obtain a Washington state registered nurse (RN) license, which must be obtained prior to enrollment in any clinical or practicum course. International applicants must meet general Graduate School international applicant requirements.

I live in Oregon. Am I eligible for in-state tuition, or do I have to pay non-resident rates?

The Border Bill may be an option for Oregon residents in “bordering counties” attending either the Tri-Cities or Vancouver campuses. The state of Washington’s Border Bill allows Oregon residents who live in specified counties to attend WSU Vancouver and/or WSU Tri-Cities part-time (8 credits or less per semester) and pay resident tuition rates for the courses taken through these two WSU campuses only. For further information and a border bill application, refer to the links below.

Tri-Cities Border Bill

Vancouver Border Bill

What should I include in my goal statement/statement of purpose?

Prepare a 500-word statement of purpose essay that you will submit on the CollegeNet application, that is well written, organized, and includes both your long- and short-term professional goals and how your goals fit with the health care needs of your community.

Are references required?

Yes. When you apply online, you will be required to provide contact information for three references. Your references will be contacted automatically through the online application system and asked to submit a recommendation form electronically; there is no need for a separate hard copy. We recommend your references include two faculty members in a nursing program you attended and a person from a work setting. Please contact references to ensure they are willing to respond to your recommendation request, and ask them to discuss your leadership, academic standards, and skills as they pertain to your primary interest area.

Where do I have my transcripts sent?

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application review process, but official transcripts will be required for all admitted students. Visit the requirements page on the Graduate School website for more information.

Who is the contact person at the College of Nursing if I have questions?

Email nursing.grad.apps@wsu.edu.

How can I reach the Graduate School if I have questions?

WSU Graduate School Admissions can be reached at gradsch@wsu.edu or 509-335-1446.

MN Program Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program, the master’s graduate will be able to:

Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, education, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of population health and health care across diverse settings and communities
Implement organizational and system leadership skills to promote high quality, safe patient care that emphasizes ethical and critical decision making and effective working relationships within a systems perspective
Articulate multiple elements of quality, including methods, tools, performance measures, and quality standards, and apply these within an organization
Apply research outcomes within the practice setting to resolve practice problems, and work as a change agent to disseminate these results
Use patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care, including communications technologies to integrate and coordinate care
Intervene at the systems level through policy development, and employ advocacy strategies to influence health and healthcare
Communicate, collaborate, and consult with other healthcare professionals as a member or leader of inter-professional teams to manage and coordinate care
Apply and integrate broad organizational, client-centered culturally appropriate concepts when planning, delivering, managing, and evaluating evidence in clinical prevention and population care, including services to individuals, families, and aggregates/identified populations
Articulate a broadly defined understanding of nursing practice as any form of nursing intervention that influences healthcare at the direct and indirect care levels for individuals, populations, and systems, coupled with an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences that is integrated into direct and indirect nursing practice