Rush University College of Nursing - Online

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 170 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. The Rush University College of Nursing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) was renewed in 2009. The College was accredited for ten years through 2019, 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.

Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) for RNs (Online))

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) 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. As master's prepared clinicians, graduates will experience greater career flexibility; they will have the academic credentials to assume future roles in nursing education and management.

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 - Advanced Public Health Nursing (Online)

The focus of advanced public health nursing practice (APHN) at Rush is population-based, with interventions directed to the population/community as a whole. Students who enroll in the APHN 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 for vulnerable populations.

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 two 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. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the specialty certification examination in Advanced Public Health Nursing at the American Nurses Association Credentialing Center.

Existing Program Copy

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (Online)

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 3 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 in Nursing (PhD) (Online)

• MSN-PhD
• BSN-PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing graduate is prepared as a clinical researcher. These research skills will be based on the integration of knowledge from biological, behavioral and clinical sciences. Clinical research skills will contribute to the scientific basis of care provided to individuals across the lifespan and in any setting where care is provided. Graduates will also have leadership skills necessary to serve as senior academicians and influence health care systems and policy.

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 of study requires a minimum of 90 quarter hours of post-baccalaureate study plus the completion of an advanced clinical research practicum (candidacy) and dissertation. Program requirements are completed 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.

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.

Information

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