Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner Specializations

Graduates of this program are prepared for socially just, culturally responsive, advanced nursing practice and to serve as ethical, safe, holistic, and innovative leaders of healthcare. As leaders in nursing, program graduates are prepared to navigate and integrate services across the connected healthcare system as part of an interprofessional collaborative team to promote excellence through cost-effective, accessible care in a rapidly changing, multicultural, global environment. They possess the knowledge and skills required to provide high-quality care, understand industry driven outcomes, and initiate change through leadership and innovation. Graduates develop a professional identity as master’s prepared nurses grounded in a sense of inquiry and committed to lifelong learning while embracing the core values of the nursing profession.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization:

• Emergency Departments
• Clinics
• Private Practice
• Telehealth Services
• Schools
• Academia
• Mental and Behavioral Health Services
• Nurse-Managed Health Centers
• Home Health Care
• Community Health Centers

Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization:

• Emergency Departments
• Clinics
• Private Practice
• Telehealth Services
• Schools
• Academia
• Mental and Behavioral Health Services
• Nurse-Managed Health Centers
• Home Health Care
• Community Health Centers

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization:

• Emergency Departments
• Clinics
• Private Practice
• Telehealth Services
• Schools
• Academia
• Mental and Behavioral Health Services
• Nurse-Managed Health Centers
• Home Health Care
• Community Health Centers

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization:

• Hospitals
• Emergency Departments
• Clinical or Private Practice
• Schools
• Behavioral Health Facilities
• Academia

The master's degree program in nursing at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. http://www.ccneaccreditation.org.

This program and its specializations are not available to residents of all states. Please speak with an Admissions Representative to determine your eligibility for enrollment.

MSN students must demonstrate successful completion of a college-level Statistics course as a prerequisite or corequisite to NGR5013 and NGR5101. When this requirement needs to be completed, the student may complete either STA1625 Essential Statistics and Analytics or STA3215 Inferential Statistics and Analytics in a 5.5-week format by either (1) concurrently enrolling as an Individual Progress student their first quarter and completing the Statistics course while taking Nursing courses or (2) enrolling as an Individual Progress student and completing the Statistics course before taking Nursing courses. This course is not eligible for financial aid.

These program specializations are designed to prepare graduates to apply for an advanced practice nursing license, as well as eligibility to write the associated national certification examination, which may be required by individual state boards of nursing for advanced practice licensure. These specializations have been approved by the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.

Determinations regarding professional licensure or certification have been made for all states and territories as displayed below. “Meets” means that the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, or that there is no license or certification. “Does Not Meet” means that the program does not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification. “Undetermined” means that Rasmussen was unable to determine, after reasonable efforts, whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may apply; please verify your eligibility against applicable rules, which can change at any time.

• Meets: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, Guam, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, Northern Marianas Islands, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
• Does Not Meet: AL, ID, KS, LA, MD, PA
• Undetermined: American Samoa, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

In addition to the practicum experiences, this program requires a one-weekend on-campus residency.

Applicants must submit an application packet containing:

• A completed program application form.
• A professional essay, as prescribed in the application packet.
• Two professional recommendation forms.
• An active, unencumbered RN or APRN license issued by a board of nursing from the state where clinical hours will be completed. Rasmussen University defines a current, unencumbered license as a license that is unexpired and has not been reprimanded, stipulated, suspended, revoked, or has any current or prior disciplinary action regardless of current ability to practice.
• Official transcript that reflects a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants with a GPA of 2.8, no rounding, to 2.99 may request an exception to the minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA requirement through the submission of a personal statement in the form of a written essay. Instructions and a scoring rubric for submitting a request for an exception may be obtained from the Admissions Representative. The scoring of the committee will be final.

When a completed application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the MSN Program Director.

Applicants who have had their application packet approved must complete the following prior to being deemed eligible for entrance into the program:

• Rasmussen University application and enrollment agreement
• Complete and pass a criminal background check through Rasmussen University’s chosen third-party vendor
• Any additional program-specific requirements as specified at the time of enrollment

Entrants will receive written communication from the University confirming acceptance once all acceptance requirements have been met.

Accepted applicants must complete the Rasmussen Experiential Online Orientation and the School of Nursing Orientation.

Drug testing, proof of current immunizations and screenings, and proof of current CPR certification are not entrance requirements for this program. However, Rasmussen will require proof of current immunizations and proof of current CPR certification 14 days prior to the first day of the quarter of the professional practice experience to remain enrolled in the practicum course. Some practicum sites may have additional requirements such as drug screening, proof of health insurance, photo ID, etc., prior to placement in the professional practice experience. The student is responsible for complying with and paying for any health examinations, immunizations, and drug tests required by the Rasmussen or the practicum site.

In addition to meeting all other admissions requirements, applicants to this program must successfully complete and pass a criminal background check through Rasmussen University’s chosen third-party vendor. An additional and different background check may also be required during active enrollment prior to practicum or clinical placement depending on site requirements. An additional background check may include components that are different than those originally checked at the time of admissions. Any prospective student must also consider their history, lifestyle, and future actions before enrolling in this program, and carefully consider whether their actions may prevent them from attaining employment in the field they choose to pursue. Additional requirements, such as industry-specific training may be required to obtain employment in this field. Applicants for careers in this field may be subject to pre-employment screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, and drug/or alcohol testing. Employment decisions, including whether to require background checks and other tests, are made at the discretion of the employer.

Choose One Specialization