Rush University is the academic component of Rush University
Medical Center, a leader in health care in Chicago and in the
Midwest for more than 150 years. Founded in 1972, the University
includes the College of Nursing, Rush Medical College, the
College of Health Sciences and the Graduate College. As a health
sciences university affiliated with a major medical center, the
College of Nursing is uniquely situated to focus on the priority
of patient care. Rush University College of Nursing received
accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) in 1999. The College was accredited for 10 years through
2009, the maximum granted by CCNE.
The mission of Rush University College of Nursing is to respond
to the health needs of a diverse society by preparing future
generations of highly qualified clinician nurse leaders. Rush
graduates contribute to generating and disseminating knowledge
that advances the scientific basis of nursing practice and
provides innovative leadership in nursing education. This mission
supports and sustains the goals of Rush University Medical Center
and the education of nurses who improve clinical outcomes for
clients and families through evidence-based, patient-centered
care.
The Post-BSN Advanced Generalist MSN is responsible for the
comprehensive clinical management of individuals and clinical
populations across the continuum of care, and in multiple
settings.
He/she assumes leadership and accountability for health outcomes
for a specific group of clients within a unit or setting through
the assimilation and application of research-based information to
design, implement and evaluate plans of care. Health promotion,
risk reduction and improvement in point-of-care outcomes are
critical elements of the role. Students are prepared, not for
specialist practice, but rather as advanced generalist MSNs
eligible to sit for Clinical Nurse Leader certification.
This program is designed for the working clinician and can be
completed online on a part-time (2-year) basis.
Master of Science in Nursing - Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner (Online)
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The Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (AC PNP)
program is designed to prepare experienced pediatric nurses for
roles as advanced practice nurses in the sub-specialty care of
infants and children with complex acute/chronic conditions.
The AC PNP specialty curriculum starts with a core knowledge set
of pediatric concepts ranging from normal growth and development
through health screening and maintenance. It then advances to
provide in-depth education into specialty practice for nurse
practitioners working with infants, children and their families
with complex health care needs. Students must have at least two
years of recent pediatric experience and current Pediatric
Advanced Life Support training before advancing to the specialty
curriculum. Specialty courses are provided in a combination of
online, live and compressed formats. Students are asked to visit
the Rush campus four times during that year. Graduates are
prepared to meet the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies
as defined by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner
Faculties.
Completion of the program provides eligibility for certification
as an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner by the Pediatric
Nursing Certification Board and for state licensure/certification
where available. Graduates of the AC PNP program work with
patients and families to meet the demands of their disease,
illness or injury in a variety of settings that include, but are
not limited to: intensive care, emergency care, specialty
service, inpatient unit and transport team.
Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
(Online)
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The neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) curriculum emphasizes
advanced nursing care of high-risk infants from birth through the
first 2 years of life. The spectrum of health from promoting
wellness to the management of acute and chronic illness in a
variety of settings is incorporated into the curriculum. Through
didactic and clinical experiences students gain advanced
knowledge in nursing theory, research, physical and psychosocial
assessment, evidenced-based interventions, case management and
care coordination.
NNP daily management of neonates in a neonatal intensive care
unit includes:
- Advanced physical assessment
- Evaluation of laboratory and clinical data
- Consulting and collaborating with neonatologists and other
interdisciplinary team members
- Writing orders
- Providing parent support and education as it relates to their
infant
The program concludes with a clinical residency that provides
students with hands-on experience as a neonatal nurse
practitioner. Students must have at least 1 year of recent
neonatal intensive care experience before advancing to the
specialty curriculum. Students are required to come to campus for
2 days during each of the 3 neonatal specialty courses for on
campus instruction and seminar discussion.
NNPs traditionally work in Level 2 or Level 3 neonatal intensive
care units (NICUs), providing daily management to neonates of any
gestational age or severity of illness. While work is typically
focused in the in-patient setting, a growing number of NNPs are
participating in NICU follow-up and developmental programs. NNPs
may be employed by hospitals or private neonatology groups.
Certification & Accreditation
Upon successful completion of the Rush NNP program, the student
will be eligible to sit for the Neonatal Care Nurse Practitioner
Exam, offered by the National Certification Corporation. National
certification is required prior to obtaining an APN license in
most states.
Master of Science in Nursing - Community/Public Health Clinical
Nurse Specialist (Online)
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The focus of advanced practice in community/public health nursing
(C/PHN) at Rush is population-based, with interventions directed
to the population/community as a whole. Students who enroll in
the C/PHN concentration develop skills in assessing, planning and
evaluating nursing interventions for individuals, families and
aggregates/populations. There is strong emphasis on health
promotion, primary prevention and program management.
The uniqueness of this competency-based, online program is its
availability to students across the nation and its commitment to
the promotion of health in multiple community settings. Two study
options are available to meet student interests.
The first option is for students interested in a
population-focused practice and includes course work that
emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention for diverse
populations across the lifespan.
The second option is for students who are interested in
developing and managing programs that deliver care to individuals
and groups in community-based settings. All students will gain
skills in:
- Case management
- Disaster preparedness
- Environmental hazard assessment
- Health policy
Courses are available online, with 2 compressed weekend on-site
courses.
Graduates are prepared as leaders for a wide variety of
specialties including public health, rural health, occupational
health, school health, home health, hospice and health care for
the homeless.
National and local employment needs continue to exceed the number
of nurses prepared as leaders in these public health nursing
specialties. Nurses in the community with advanced preparation in
public health nursing are in a strategic position to influence
and shape health care delivery.
Certification & Accreditation
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Clinical
Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification examination in
public/community health nursing at the American Nurses
Credentialing Center.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)(Online)
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The DNP degree is designed for master's prepared nurses with
demonstrated or potential leadership ability who desire to
enhance their skills in outcomes management, affecting policy and
incorporating data into decision making. The DNP student may
already be in a management position or desire to advance to a
different leadership role.
This innovative program is designed for the working professional.
It combines online, interactive course work with 2 weekends of
on-site instruction. The part-time program requires 8 quarters to
complete (post-master's). Cohorts of students are admitted twice
a year in January and June. The DNP degree requires a minimum of
40 quarter hours of post-master's study.
Rush University College of Nursing is one of the first colleges
in the nation to award the practice doctorate. Building on the
established role of the master's prepared nurse, the DNP program
provides real world experience in strategic planning,
communication to affect change, data management and the
application of critical business concepts.
The DNP degree is designed to prepare a leader able to affect
change through system redesign and evidence-based decision making
in a variety of clinical, organizational and educational systems.
Through course work, clinical practicum and project
implementation, the DNP graduate is prepared to influence health
care outcomes for diverse populations in a variety of settings.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)(Online)
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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing graduate is prepared as
a nurse scientist with the investigative skills of a researcher
and the clinical and leadership skills necessary to influence the
health care system.
The PhD program has been developed so that students maintain
continuous online progress throughout the year and focus on
discourse, debate and integration of ideas through yearly campus
visits. Students benefit from innovative teaching and mentoring
strategies, multiple methods of curriculum delivery matched to
course objectives and a faculty commitment to prepare students
for a career in clinical research and academia.
The PhD program is designed to enhance the quest for knowledge
essential for professional nursing practice. It combines core
courses in research, theory and role development with cognate and
supporting courses in the area of the student's research.
Clinical inquiry experiences are individually tailored to the
student's area of interest. Under the guidance of the faculty
advisor, these experiences may be completed within the Rush
network or at other approved sites.
The MSN-PhD program allows completion of program requirements
through online course work and yearly campus visits either on a
full- (3-year) or part-time (4-year) basis. Students are expected
to progress through the program with their cohort group, adhering
to the outlined program of study. Students do have the option of
completing cognate requirements either at Rush or at other
colleges or universities during the academic year. Please note
that students in the PhD program will need internet access.
The BSN-PhD program enables the focused baccalaureate prepared
nurse to pursue a career in research and education by providing a
comprehensive, time sensitive path to success on either a full-
(4-year) or part-time (5-year) basis.
