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.
The mission of the College of Nursing of Rush University is to
set a national standard for excellence in the education of
nurses, lead the development and application of
clinically-relevant science, and create service strategies for
meeting the health needs of a diverse society. This mission is
supported within a dynamic, multidisciplinary institutional
culture in which education, research and clinical practice are
unified.
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.
Generalist Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Back to top
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. Students 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.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - NP and CNS
Back to top
The 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. A
minimum of 55 quarter hours of post-baccalaureate credit is
required for the MSN degree.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
There are six options in the Clinical Nurse Specialist track:
- Critical Care
- Gerontological
- Medical - Surgical
- Pediatric
- Psychiatric
- Public Health
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
Four additional dual NP/CNS programs of study are also
available.
ADN-MSN
Back to top
The ADN - MSN program offers qualified, experienced associate
degree (ADN) prepared nurses the opportunity to progress to
graduate study without completing additional lower division
general education prerequisites. Students complete a first year
of upper division and graduate courses 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)
Back to top
Building on the 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 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 (annual campus visit), 40 credit
hour curriculum.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Back to top
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) 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 program of study requires a minimum of
125 quarter hours of post-baccalaureate study plus the completion
of a clinical inquiry defense and 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 visit). 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, on-campus BSN-PhD program is also
available.
Post-Master's Certificates
Back to top
A Post-Master's Certificate may be earned for any of the listed
nurse practitioner or clinical specialist options.
Post-Certificate Master's
Back to top
- Anesthesia Nursing
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner