Are you searching for accredited Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Washington to take your nursing career to the next level in advanced practice roles? While our nation’s 13th most populous state may be best known for being the leading producer of lumber, Washington utilizes its position on the West Coast to deliver world-class education at more than 40 higher learning institutions. Not only do the highly ranked universities within Washington offer some of the best educational experiences for nurses in the United States, but they also provide the unique opportunity to study in the beautiful Pacific Northwest while surrounded by dense temperate rainforests, towering mountain ranges, deep fjords, crystal-clear glaciers, and the sparkling Puget Sound. Read on to learn more about the eight first-rate colleges in the “Evergreen State” that offer accredited nursing degree programs at the master’s level to Washingtonians.
Gonzaga University
School of Nursing & Human Physiology
As a private four-year Roman Catholic institution with over 7,600 students of all faiths on its 130-acre urban campus within a half mile from downtown Spokane along the banks of the Spokane River, Gonzaga University is currently ranked as the 4th best college and 3rd top value school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Nursing & Human Physiology is also nationally acclaimed for having the 99th best graduate nursing degree programs in the United States.
Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (A/GNP)
Ideal for registered nurses seeking career advancement opportunities in private practices, clinics, nursing homes, and long-term residential treatment facilities in a flexible online format, the 45-credit Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (A/GNP) track prepares students to provide the full range of health services that comprise healthcare for young adults to frail elders.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
With a subtle infusion of the Jesuit mission of men and women for others, the 44-credit online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track follows a holistic humanistic approach to preparing advanced practice nurses for providing primary care to individuals and families of all ages in collaborative practice settings or independent practices.
Health Systems Leadership (HSL)
Featuring a 36-credit curriculum that can be completed fully online in a self-paced schedule, the Health Systems Leadership (HSL) track is designed to prepare registered nurses to assume administrative positions in healthcare by blending knowledge from business, organizational behavior, quality improvement, nursing, and health law into one innovative program.
Nurse Educator
In order to prepare registered nurses for working as nursing faculty in academic or healthcare settings, the Nurse Educator track for the MSN degree consists of 36 credits in convenient online courses with two on-campus immersions to learn strategies for teaching in the classroom, online, in simulation centers, or within clinical practice.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
With a rigorous online 47-credit curriculum that requires the completion of six on-campus immersions when participating in field practicum, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track offers training in providing the full range of mental health services to persons of all ages with diagnosed psychiatric disorders.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258
(866) 380-5323
[email protected]
https://online.gonzaga.edu/nursing-masters
Pacific Lutheran University
School of Nursing
Situated on a 126-acre suburban campus in the Parkland neighborhood of Tacoma near the world-class Puget Sound business area as a pioneering private liberal arts institution of over 3,500 students, Pacific Lutheran University is currently ranked as the 15th best college, 7th top value school, and 2nd best school for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, graduates in the School of Nursing are able to participate in the nation’s 127th best graduate nursing degree programs.
MSN Care and Outcomes Manager (COM)
Based on the knowledge and skills required of advanced practice nurses as declared by the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing, the MSN Care and Outcomes Manager (COM) program requires the completion of at least 33 credits in as little as 15 months to equip registered nurses with the abilities to lead change, promote health, and elevate healthcare in various clinical settings. Within the mandatory 400 hours of clinical practicum, students can choose to focus on the roles of Advanced Generalist, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Administrator, or Clinical Nurse Educator.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
12180 Park Avenue S.
Tacoma, WA 98447
(253) 535-7672
[email protected]
Seattle Pacific University
School of Health Sciences
Currently ranked as the 14th best college and 4th top value university in the West by the U.S. News and World Report, Seattle Pacific University is a comprehensive four-year private Christian institution of over 4,000 students on a 43-acre urban campus in the Queen Anne residential neighborhood outside of downtown Seattle. Grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ to prepare students for changing the world, the School of Health Sciences is also distinguished for having the 127th best graduate nursing degree programs in the nation.
Clinical Leadership in Practice
Founded with a specific emphasis on quality, safety, and care coordination, the 39-credit Clinical Leadership in Practice (CLIP) track is structured to provide registered nurses with the clinical excellence and leadership skills needed to successfully lead healthcare organizations from the bedside to the boardroom in today’s climate of change.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
With individualized learning to refine collaborative skills and interaction with healthcare team members in an effort to enhance quality patient care, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) track is designed in a comprehensive 47-credit curriculum for nurses seeking to enter advanced practice with a specific patient group or population focus.
Nurse Educator
Available with ADN or BSN degree entry for a total of 42 or 54 credits, the Nurse Educator track is focused on developing the skills, knowledge, and key teaching strategies to help registered nurses assume leadership roles in clinical staff development, clinical education, public education, and/or academic instruction with the next generation of nurses.
Nurse Practitioner
Offered with the option to specialize in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), the Nurse Practitioner track aims to guide registered nurses in furthering their clinical expertise across the lifespan to develop proficiency as responsible primary care providers with the completion of 57 total credits.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
3307 Third Avenue W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 281-2888
[email protected]
http://spu.edu/depts/health-sciences/grad/index.asp
Seattle University
College of Nursing
Strategically located on a 50-acre urban campus in the First Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhood of the nation’s fastest-growing major city as a private Jesuit Catholic institution of more than 7,400 students, Seattle University is currently ranked as the 6th best college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Also recognized in tie for having the 127th best graduate nursing programs, the SU College of Nursing is dedicated to preparing values-based nursing professionals to meet the Washington’s changing healthcare needs.
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Specifically focused on producing competent primary care practitioners for providing comprehensive healthcare services to individuals from adolescence through late adulthood, the Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner track requires the successful completion of at least 71 course credits, 690 advanced clinical practice hours, and a scholarly project or thesis.
Advanced Community Public Health Nursing
Available for graduates with degrees in non-nursing majors as well as experienced professional nurses with a BSN degree, the Advanced Community Public Health Nursing track prepares students to sit for the APHN-BC licensing examination by developing the community-based practice skills needed for positively contributing to the nation’s changing healthcare system.
Family Nurse Practitioner
In order to prepare competent independent primary care providers to meet the diverse healthcare needs of diverse individuals and families, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track places a strong emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention through its rigorous curriculum that blends 70 course credits with 690 clinical hours and a culminating capstone thesis or scholarly project.
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Featuring a rigorous curriculum of 74 credits and 600 advanced clinical hours in a three-year program of study, the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) track prepares nurses to provide comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment in a variety of psychiatric settings throughout the lifespan.
Nurse Midwifery
Developed with a global midwifery perspective on the home-based life saving skills curriculum established by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), the Nurse Midwifery track prepares primary care nurse practitioners for providing care during pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum with the completion of at least 74 credits and 690 clinical hours.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
901 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 296-5660
[email protected]
http://www.seattleu.edu/nursing/msn/
University of Washington
School of Nursing
As the state’s elite flagship public research institution with more than 28,000 students on its 703-acre urban campus in the University District neighborhood of northern Seattle, the University of Washington is currently ranked as the 52nd best college and 16th top public school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. With many of its nursing specialties ranking in the top 10 nationally, the School of Nursing is also highly acclaimed for having the 1st graduate nursing degree programs in the entire United States.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
In fulfilling the academic requirements needed to sit for the AGNP Primary Care examination through the ANCC or AANPCP, the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track is focused on preparing registered nurses to deliver comprehensive care for adults from adolescence through old age across the health continuum.
Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies (CIPCT)
Leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree through an online format that requires just one on-campus session per year, the Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies (CIPCT) program is designed to provide a background in the design and evaluation of health information systems to professionals with at least one year of experience in healthcare delivery.
Community Health Nursing (CHN)
Within the Master of Nursing (M.N.) program, the Community Health Nursing (CHN) track is structured to prepare registered nurses as population health specialists to become leaders in community health promotion, policy planning, program development, program evaluation, health education, and direct management with a traditional on-campus format.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Focused on preparing registered nurses to provide primary care services in the community to a multicultural mix of patients of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds in diverse clinical settings, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program allows students to specialize interest areas through the selection of electives and clinical placements.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
Established to lead a national effort in preparing advanced healthcare professionals for meeting the needs of high-risk vulnerable newborns, the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) track is focused on providing unparalleled nursing experience to prepare neonatal experts in working with parents and families during intense stress.
Nurse-Midwifery (NM)
With distance learning available as many classes meet on-campus just three times a quarter, the Nurse-Midwifery (NM) track is formally accredited to train advanced practice nurses for providing personalized care to women throughout the pregnancy cycle with more than 20 partnering community sites across the Northwest.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
As the only program of its kind offered in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) region, the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) track is highly ranked for preparing advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to provide comprehensive primary care to young patients from birth through adolescence in a unique hybrid model of on-campus and online courses.
Perinatal Nurse Specialist (PNS)
Blending advanced theoretical content with clinical experiences, the Perinatal Nurse Specialist (PNS) track is ideal for registered nurses who are interested in expanding their knowledge of perinatal health to better understand the normal physiological changes and psychosocial events during the childbearing cycle for leadership in various community health settings.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
With the mission of preparing registered nurses to address the unique healthcare needs of individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and co-morbid health problems, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track is designed with alternative course modalities for students living in Washington State who need a flexible learning environment without weekly attendance on-campus.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
1959 Northeast Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-8736
[email protected]
https://nursing.uw.edu/programs/graduate-certificates/
University of Washington – Bothell
Division of Nursing and Health Studies
As one of three locations in the public university system with over 4,600 students, the University of Washington – Bothell is standing proudly on a 365-acre campus within 20 miles away from downtown Seattle with breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains. Offering two undergraduate and one graduate degree, the Division of Nursing and Health Studies is committed to facilitating student progress in accomplishing their academic goals and professional dreams in an inclusive culture with strong student-faculty relationships.
Master of Nursing (MN)
Featuring a cohort model in which classes meet in a block schedule on Fridays at the Bothell campus, the Master of Nursing (MN) program is designed to provide graduate study to experienced registered nurses who are interested in advanced nursing roles in a wide range of specialty areas. With a focus on leadership in practice, research, and education across practice settings, the program requires the completion of at least 41 credits in a seven-quarter curriculum.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
18115 Campus Way NE
Bothell, WA 98011
(425) 352-3238
[email protected]
http://www.bothell.washington.edu/nhs/nhsdegrees/mn-bothell
University of Washington – Tacoma
School of Nursing
Nestled on a 46-acre campus on the hillside overlooking the Port of Tacoma and Mount Rainier on the southern edge of downtown, the University of Washington – Tacoma serves over 4,300 students on this vibrant location of the major public urban-serving university system in the heart of the historic Union Station District. At the undergraduate and graduate level, the School of Nursing is devoted to providing a learning environment that allows students to build upon their skills and strengthen their understanding of global health issues.
Leader in Healthcare Delivery
Within the Master of Nursing (MN) program, the Leader in Healthcare Delivery track is designed to provide accredited training to registered nurses for developing the in-depth knowledge and skills related to leading healthcare systems, government agencies, and community organizations in today’s environment of constant change. Along with online learning components, the 47-credit curriculum features flexible full or part-time study options available to accommodate busy working nurses.
Nurse Educator
Featuring a 47-credit curriculum with advanced fieldwork, teaching practicum, and a Master’s thesis or scholarly project, the Nurse Educator track in the Master of Nursing (MN) program aims to prepare registered nurses to teach the next generation of nurses in schools of nursing, continuing education programs, staff development, or clinical education.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 692-4470
[email protected]
https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/uwt/nursing/master-nursing
Washington State University
College of Nursing
Currently ranked as the 128th best college and 63rd top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report, Washington State University is the state’s original public research land-grant institution that provides a world-class education to more than 26,000 students based on its main 1,742-acre rural campus in Pullman with regional locations in Spokane, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities. Even more importantly, the College of Nursing at WSU is nationally acclaimed for having the 50th best graduate nursing degree programs in the United States.
Advanced Population Health
Following a hybrid model where students participate in online courses and in-class video conferencing five to ten times per semester among campuses, the Advanced Population Health track requires the completion of at least 41 credits in preparation for developing, marketing, managing, and evaluating public health programs to promote health to diverse populations.
Nursing Leadership
Designed to prepare registered nurses for an advanced practice role as nurse administrators of acute care centers, public health agencies, outpatient clinics, hospitals, home healthcare services, and more, the Nursing Leadership program consists of a rigorous 45-credit curriculum with an advanced practicum and thesis or research project.
Nursing Education
In preparing registered nurses to utilize their passion for teaching to work as faculty members in AND or BSN programs as well as nurse educators in a variety of clinical settings, the Nursing Education track includes the successful completion of at least 47 credits primarily online to build the pedagogical skills needed to train others about today’s changing healthcare system.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
103 East Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 324-7334
[email protected]
http://nursing.wsu.edu/academic-programs/mn/index.html
Overall, choosing to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree can be a wise career move that will lead to increased areas of specialization, enhanced job stability, improved demand in today’s job market, and the potential for a considerably higher salary. Therefore, do not forget to consider attending one of these Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Washington to get on the right track to an advanced practice nursing career in convenient learning formats.
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