Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a Carnegie Research University, one of the three largest research doctoral institutions in the Commonwealth.

VCU's Medical Center is one of the most comprehensive academic health centers in the nation, and the only comprehensive health sciences center in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VCU's location in the capital of Virginia gives our students a unique opportunity to combine academic and real-world education, allowing them to create their own educational goals. The faculty and administration are committed to students who want to be a part of a leading, dynamic university.

The School of Nursing

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The School of Nursing is a vital part of this exciting, comprehensive research university. We strive to assure that we meet our social responsibilities to the public trust and to our profession. To that end we focus on actualizing and integrating knowledge development, dissemination, and application in ways that make sense within a community of scholars. We are dedicated to serving individuals, families, communities, and society through application of nursing knowledge, and shaping the development nursing and health care in the local, regional, national and international arenas.

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nursing Tracks

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The VCU School of Nursing offers three tracks within the undergraduate program:

• Traditional Undergraduate Program
• Accelerated BS Program (for non-nursing college graduates)
• RN – BS Weekend Program

The Traditional Undergraduate and Accelerated BS Program are designed to provide a basic nursing education curriculum to individuals who are seeking their first degree in nursing. Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse upon completion of the Traditional Undergraduate Program and Accelerated BS Program. The RN-BS Weekend program is designed for Registered Nurses with a diploma or Associate's degree in nursing who are now returning to school to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. The degree awarded in both tracks is the Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing.

Master of Science Program

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The School of Nursing offers a program of study in advanced practice nursing leading to a Master of Science degree. Advanced practice nursing is defined as the specialized and expanded practice of nursing. There are multiple tracks within the Master's Program for individuals with differing credentials.

Traditional MS Program

Degree Required: BS in Nursing
RN Licensure: Required upon enrollment

MS Program for Non-BSN RN

Degree Required: BA/BS in another discipline, Associate's or Diploma in Nursing
RN Licensure: Required upon enrollment

RN-MS Program

Degree Required: Associate's or Diploma in Nursing
RN Licensure: Required upon enrollment

Accelerated Second Degree Program

Degree Required: BA/BS in another discipline
RN Licensure: Waived for pre-licensure portion of program

The master's program prepares graduates to be certified as either clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners in their chosen specialty are. The specialty concentrations are:

• Adult Health - Acute Care Nursing - CNS or ACNP
• Adult Health - Primary Care Nursing - ANP
• Child Health Nursing - PNP
• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Community Health Nursing & Public Health
• Family Health Nursing - FNP
• Integrative Psychiatric Mental Health - CNS/PANP
• Nurse Educator
• Nursing Administration & Leadership
• Women's Health Nursing - WHNP

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

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Post-Master's certificates may be earned in the following specialty areas:

• Adult Health - Acute Care Nursing – CNS or ACNP
• Adult Health - Primary Care Nursing - ANP
• Child Health Nursing – PNP preparation
• Family Health Nursing – FNP preparation
• Integrative Psychiatric Mental Health – CNS and/or PANP and/or HN
• Nursing Administration and Leadership
• Women's Health Nursing – WHNP preparation

PhD Program

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The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing PhD program prepares nursing scholars for a lifetime of intellectual inquiry and cutting-edge research as well as for academic or research positions. The doctoral program prepares scholars and researchers in nursing to engage in knowledge development and transmission in areas critical to the advancement of clinical nursing practice.

Doctoral students at VCU School of Nursing will benefit from the school's Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research. The purpose of the center is is to enhance the school's research programs related to improving biobehavioral outcomes associated with critical health experiences at VCU School of Nursing. A consistent focus on the integration of biological and behavioral variables and health outcomes in the context of critical health experiences, both physical and psychological, will provide significant opportunities for more holistic understandings of the phenomena of health-illness and nursing interventions. Research examining the integration of biological and behavioral factors or providing unique understanding of the whole person will advance holistic nursing knowledge essential to the understanding of critical health experiences.

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Virginia Commonwealth University.

For more information, visit the home page of Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Nursing.