Join us for an online information session for our RN to MSN & MSN programs. Wednesday June 22 at 5:30 p.m. EST.
Clinical Placement
Impressive Pass Rates
Multiple Start Dates
Affordable TuitionPlease visit our state authorizations page to see whether this program is available in your area.
Nurse Practitioner Concentrations:
Our MSN–Nurse Practitioner program focuses on the advanced clinical skills that are in high demand, as well as professionalism and evidence-based practice for improved patient outcomes. We offer three concentrations to give you the opportunity to align your graduate studies with your career goals. Wilkes' nursing students have pass rates on board-certification exams that are consistently above the national average, thanks to our integrated exam preparation courses and comprehensive student support.
These admission standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for this nursing program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates, such as official transcripts, for a more in-depth review of qualifications.
*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.
Our clinical placement team provides proactive support and assistance. Securing a clinical site to fulfill the MSN program's clinical requirements takes a lot of work; there’s no way around it—except at Wilkes, where we do the heavy lifting for you.
To accompany online classroom learning and test-taking, nurses also need clinical experience to practice what they’ve learned in theory. Hands-on patient care is a requisite component of a nursing degree and must be practiced on real patients in clinical settings.
During clinical rotations, nursing students are under the close supervision of their preceptor. They are given specific instructions to follow while keeping clinical practice guidelines and best practices in mind. Students are placed in a variety of health care facility settings. Clinicals are very similar to an internship or being an apprentice; students assume the role of the nurse and provide care for real patients, but they benefit from the supervision and guidance of their preceptors and other health care professionals.
Nursing students must complete a certain number of clinical hours as determined by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Please note, these are not paid positions, but they count toward the degree.
This course builds on knowledge and skills developed in undergraduate research and statistics courses. Skills in the analysis and evaluation of nursing research are further developed. Students analyze the contributions of the empirical approach to the development of nursing science. Selected research designs and methodologies which are used to advance nursing knowledge are examined. Students are given the opportunity to critique and synthesize current research for its application to an identified problem in nursing practice (Credits: 3).
This course examines the development of roles for advancing nursing practice. The historical development of these roles alongside the current scope of practice in a variety of clinical settings will be explored. Key focus will be placed on the legal, historical, political, social and ethical aspects of advanced practice nursing (Credits: 3).
Complex and continuous changes in healthcare environments require that nursing professionals contribute to care delivery systems for improving population health outcomes. This course focuses on the role of the nurse advancing nursing practice through developing health policy, politics and advocacy systems. Approaches to health issues for shaping policy on a local, state and federal level are analyzed in accordance with policy making processes, politics in healthcare and government, healthcare economics and ethical frameworks (Credits: 3).
App Due: Apr 22, 2022
Next Start: May 23, 2022
The nurse practitioner will develop processes for formulating differential diagnoses of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses in the primary care setting across the lifespan. A case-study approach is integrated to prepare students for management of health status of patients through the implementation of strategies specific to the synthesis of data from multiple sources that promote quality of care outcomes for patients (Prerequisites: NSG 530, NSG 533; Credits: 2).
An on-site residency is required for nurse practitioner students enrolled in NSG 500, Advanced Health Assessment, in order to demonstrate advanced physical assessment skills. In addition, nurse practitioner students in the following clinical courses may be required to complete an on-site residency, based upon the location of the clinical practice site. During residency, direct supervision and evaluation of the student will be completed by nurse practitioner clinical faculty at his/her designated clinical practice sites. Each course syllabus dictates the terms of the specific course residency.
Submit your information to access a comprehensive digital program guide. One of our dedicated admissions counselors will contact you shortly to discuss next-steps.
Our three MSN concentrations give you the opportunity to align your advanced degree with your career goals in the nursing field. Choose the track you’re most passionate about and explore curriculum, tuition, admission requirements and more.
We do the heavy lifting for you. For more information on the nursing clinicals placement process, visit our Clinical Placement Services page or fill out a form to chat with an admissions advisor.
Length of completion for the MSN program depends on the concentration chosen.
Excluding nursing clinicals and residencies, all coursework is 100% online. Each course experience is primarily asynchronous.
Tuition for the MSN program depends on the concentration chosen.
Yes, financial aid is available to qualifying nursing students. Please contact an fill out a form to schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor and learn if you qualify for financial assistance.
The Master of Science in Nursing program at Wilkes University prepares students to:
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a smart move for career advancement. Nurses are in demand in hospital settings and a variety of other practice areas, and the need will only increase as our country's population ages. Projected job growth for NPs is expected to increase 52% by 2029, and the average NP salary is $111,680.
Wilkes academic programs are helping to fulfill the great demand for nurse practitioners in the U.S. Our MSN program curriculum develops you in the following areas so that you can:
Prepare for advanced practice from clinical, theoretical and professional standpoints to:
Develop your capabilities in research and reasoning, diagnosis and critical thinking to:
Gain substantial insight into major healthcare systems and policies to:
Deliver informed care with respect to patient populations and cultural perspectives to:
At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.
Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.
We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Click the link below to fill out a form and start the conversation. We can’t wait!
Out-of-State Students
Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. ABSN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.
To proceed with the Associate Degree in Nursing (R.N.) to M.S.N. program, you are required to have an associate’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with the M.S.N. program, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with either the D.N.P., Ph.D. or the Post Graduate A.P.R.N. Certification programs, you are required to have a master’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
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