Rush University is the academic component of Rush University
Medical Center, a leader in health care in Chicago and in the
Midwest for nearly 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 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
providing innovative leadership in nursing education. This
mission supports and sustains the goals of Rush University
Medical Center through the education of nurses who improve
clinical outcomes for clients and families by practicing
evidence-based, patient-centered care.
The education and preparation of students to meet the health
needs of a culturally diverse society is facilitated at Rush by
the unification of academic and clinical practice components.
Rush students have the advantage of attending a private
university that is a vital part of a nationally recognized
academic medical center. This unique integration stimulates
excellence in education, practice, scholarly activities and
professional leadership by the faculty and the graduates of the
College of Nursing.
The Rush University School of Nursing received accreditation from
the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 1999.
The College was accredited for ten years through 2009, the
maximum granted by CCNE.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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MSN - Pre-Licensure Advanced Generalist Entry Masters (GEM)
The GEM program is designed for students with a non-nursing
baccalaureate degree or higher. Students receive a generalist
education in nursing at the graduate level and are conferred a
Master's degree upon graduation. The program of study is a
fast-paced, five-days a week curriculum. It is six quarters in
length with one additional quarter spent in a residency
experience. A combination of classroom and clinical coursework
is provided throughout the program. Students have rich clinical
experiences with adults, children and older adults in a variety
of health care settings.
Graduates are eligible to sit for RN licensure and Clinical
Nurse Leader (CNL) certification. Students are prepared not for
specialist practice, but rather as clinical leader generalists
who will actively improve the quality of client care across the
health care continuum.
MSN - Post-Licensure Advanced Generalist
The post-licensure Advanced Generalist Master of Science in
Nursing graduate is responsible for the clinical management of
comprehensive client care, for individuals and clinical
populations across the continuum of care, and in multiple
settings. He/she assumes leadership/accountability for health
outcomes for a specific group of clients within a unit or
setting. The post-licensure option is eight quarters in length
and offered as a part-time program of study. All courses in the
post-licensure option are offered online.
Post-Licensure Advanced Specialist
Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist
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The advanced specialist Master of Science in Nursing degree
focuses on clinical specialist and nurse practitioner roles with
intensive examination of the biological and behavioral sciences
and their application within clinical practice, education and
research. Part- and full-time programs of study are available.
Many courses, as well as some complete programs, are offered
online.
Nurse Practitioner
There are ten options in the Nurse Practitioner track:
- Acute Care
- Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric
- Adult
- Adult/Gerontological
- Anesthesia
- Family
- Gerontological
- Neonatal
- Pediatric
- Psychiatric
Clinical Nurse Specialist
There are four options in the Clinical Nurse Specialist track:
- Adult Health
- Critical Care
- Gerontological
- Pediatric
Post-Licensure Advanced Public Health Nurse
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The focus of the Advanced Public Health Nursing specialty is
population-based, with interventions directed to the
population/community as a whole. Students concentrate on
developing 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.
Four additional dual advanced specialist programs of study are
also available:
- Acute Care NP and Critical Care CNS
- Adult NP and Gerontological NP
- Adult NP and Gerontological CNS
- Adult NP and Medical-Surgical CNS
ADN-MSN
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The ADN - MSN program offers qualified, experienced associate
degree-prepared nurses (ADN) the opportunity to progress to
graduate study without completing additional lower division
general education prerequisites. Students complete 18 hours of
upper division college coursework (chosen by the student), a 6
hour bridge course at Rush and then continue with the graduate
coursework in their chosen area of study (i.e., advanced
generalist, NP or CNS). The program is appropriate for high
achieving, experienced ADN nurses.
Registered nurses with a prior bachelor's degree in a field
other than nursing may directly enter graduate study.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
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Building on the role of the master's prepared nurse, the DNP
program provides real world experience in leadership and
strategic planning, outcomes 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
evidenced-based decision making in a variety of clinical,
organizational, and educational settings. The DNP graduate is
prepared to facilitate change and influence social policy for
diverse populations in a variety of settings. The DNP program is
a part-time, online (2 annual campus visits), 41 credit hour
curriculum.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
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The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) graduate is prepared as
a nurse scientist with the investigative abilities of a
researcher and the clinical and leadership skills necessary to
influence the health care system. The program of study requires a
minimum of 90 quarter hours of post-baccalaureate study plus the
completion of a dissertation. 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
(annual 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. An
accelerated BSN-PhD program is also available.
Post-Master's Certificates
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A Post-Master's Certificate may be earned for any of the listed
nurse practitioner or clinical specialist options.
Post-Certificate Master's
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- Anesthesia Nursing
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner