Master of Science in Nursing

Mission

The Mission of the School of Nursing is to educate students for professional nursing practice in order to provide safe, high quality and equitable health care for all peoples. The baccalaureate program combines liberal arts and nursing education to assist students to develop knowledge, skills, and perspectives that foster collaboration and inter-professional practice to promote health and improve health outcomes. The Master's program in nursing educates nurses for diverse and expanded nursing roles.

Program Outcomes

• Assume advanced practice roles in adult/acute care or public health nursing
• Analyze contemporary and evolving healthcare needs of a diverse society
• Assume leadership responsibilities to shape nursing practice in acute/critical care or public health nursing
• Promote evidence-based practice through development of master's level research competencies and dissemination of research findings
• Engage in interdisciplinary practice to promote quality and safety in improving health outcomes
• Demonstrate ethical practice, personal responsibility, and continuing professional growth in an advanced practice role
• Initiate innovative healthcare technologies
• Apply theoretical knowledge from nursing and related disciplines in planning, directing, and evaluating quality health care
• Promote policies that ensure quality, cost effective care within a dynamic health care system
• Develop expertise in an identified functional area

Program Options

Two areas of study are available:

A. Adult Health with an Acute Care Emphasis

Students may choose the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP*) role. Students who successfully complete the Adult/Acute Care option will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: The ANCC Adult Health CNS or the Acute Care NP exam (depending on role participation); the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult Acute CNS exam or the Acute Care NP exam (depending on role preparation).

B. Public Health / Community Leadership

Students who successfully complete the Public Health / Community Services Leadership option will be eligible to sit for the ANCC Advanced Public Health Certification exam. Students who additionally complete Advanced Pathophysiology Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Health Assessment may request the Public / Community Health CNS Credential.

MSN Application

MSN Online Application

New Students:
Click here to begin the application process to create your account

If you have already created your account and have started using the online application, click here to continue.

RIC Students: If you have an active RIConnect account, you can use this to apply online to the MSN program. Click here to submit your MSN online application

MSN Application Form

Click here to download the application form for graduate admission to the School of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

1. A completed application accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee.
2. A baccalaureate degree in an upper-division nursing major from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
3. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
4. Completion of a course in statistics (MATH 240 or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C.
5. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work. Provisional acceptance occasionally granted.
6. An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies test (MA).
7. An official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from international applicants who are from countries where English is not the first language.
8. Current unrestricted licensure for the practice of nursing in Rhode Island.
9. A professional résumé.
10. Three professional references (at least one from the clinical area).
11. A brief letter of intent, which includes a statement of goals.
12. Proof of residency.
13. An interview may be required.

Handbook

The School of Nursing Handbook for Graduate Students in Nursing provides detailed and essential information about the graduate nursing program. It is available online at www.ric.edu/nursing.

* provisionally approved by the RI Board of Governors of Higher Education

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