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The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduate programs at Edgewood College embraces a mission designed to develop nurses into leaders with advanced knowledge, Dominican values, and the ability to contribute to the changing, diverse healthcare environment. Advanced practice roles in nursing require further enhancement of critical reasoning and decision-making skills as theory is translated into practice.
With MSN degrees fully online and enrolling every Fall, Spring, and Summer, you can advance your nursing career at Edgewood College through several pathways, including:
Edgewood College offers information sessions for all of our graduate programs. Join us for an information session to learn more about all that our graduate programs offer. Please contact us to learn more about specific dates and times for graduate program information sessions.
The baccalaureate, master’s degree of nursing, and doctor of nursing practice programs at Edgewood College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Today, nursing is among the most in-demand roles in the healthcare industry.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nurses make up the largest component of the healthcare workforce, are the main providers of patient care in hospital settings, and deliver most of the United States' long-term care. In addition, AAC reports a projected 6% growth rate for the employment of nurses each year from 2021-2031.
For those looking to take advantage of the thriving nursing industry, a Master of Science in Nursing is the competitive edge you need to stand out amongst the rising competition.
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides family-centered services to patients of all ages. From maintaining patient records to treating conditions and injuries that are categorized as primary care, FNPs are tasked with a variety of family-oriented healthcare responsibilities. As a family nurse practitioner, you may work with infants, adolescents, adults, and seniors in community health centers, private practices, health care systems, and even universities.
While FNPs have a broad scope of practice — typically involving health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment of severe illnesses — they may also obtain additional certifications for the treatment of diabetes, pain, obesity, and more to provide more specialized care and enhance their career opportunities.
Providing advanced healthcare to adolescents, adults, and the elderly, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs) assess, diagnose, and plan treatments for common acute and primary healthcare problems. These nurse practitioners promote health within their community and often help patients manage chronic health conditions, such as hypertension and respiratory illnesses.
Typically, AGPCNPs work in long-term care settings, private practices, and hospital-based clinics, doing everything from performing physical examinations and ordering screening tests to interpreting results and performing therapies. Their daily roles may also include educating patients and caregivers, evaluating caregiver competence, and managing transitions between healthcare facilities.
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. Similar to other APRNs, clinical nurse specialists are trained in advanced physiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, and their specialized area of nursing practice.
According to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, clinical nurse specialists fulfill leadership roles in the healthcare industry. They may find work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, nursing homes, schools, corporations, and prisons, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses.
An adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist (AG-CNS) is an advanced clinician with a master's or doctoral degree. This type of clinical nurse specialist provides outcome-oriented care to patients with areas of specialization in disease prevention, health promotion, and management of chronic and/or acute illnesses.
As an AG-CNS, you can apply your master's degree in nursing to a career in acute care hospitals, community agencies, long-term care, at-home care, and physician offices. In addition to providing care, you may also utilize research to investigate, promote, and evaluate nursing therapies to produce positive patient experiences.
The MSN comprehensive program at Edgewood College is for those interested in becoming educators, nurse leaders, administrators, or advanced practice nurses. With this degree, you will be equipped to fit into a multitude of advanced roles within the fields of education, administration, and medicine.
As an educator, you will use your advanced knowledge to teach the next generation of skilled nurses. You could work at universities or work within medical facilities teaching nurses advanced skills.
If you choose to work in a medical facility, this degree equips you with advanced nursing skills — allowing you to work in managerial positions or in administration roles.
The role of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with various mental health needs. As a PMHNP, you'll provide advanced care to patients with psychiatric disorders, oftentimes working alongside primary care and specialty providers.
Many PMHNPs also provide therapy and prescribe medications to patients with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. They may also offer physical and psychosocial assessments, treatment evaluations, and emergency psychiatric care, finding work in psychiatric hospitals, independent practices, mental health centers, and assisted living facilities.
All applicants to Edgewood College's graduate nursing program, except for non-degree student classifications, must meet the following admission requirements:
At Edgewood College, we do rolling admissions for our MSN programs. The following dates are for priority enrollment, but we can still accept applicants after these dates.
Priority enrollment dates:
"I chose to attend Edgewood College for my Doctorate in Nursing Practice and Executive Leadership because I had such a great history of working with wonderful nurses of great quality who attended Edgewood College—as well as other nursing leaders throughout my career.
Edgewood Colege came at a perfect time of my career as I was embarking on a senior leadership level role, and having that academic underpinning in nursing practice really challenged some of my leadership beliefs as well as opened my mind to other ways of thinking about how to lead."
- Dr. Sally Frings, Chief Nursing Officer at Group Health Cooperative
"I have had the privilege of going through both Edgewood College’s Undergraduate and Graduate programs in Nursing. These programs lay the foundation of the science of nursing but also give their students the gift of understanding the art of nursing. The focus of Edgewood’s program is not only on how to do the job well but also on why it matters. Edgewood’s nursing program is about taking care of people. The dignity and respect that the school has for the profession in conjunction with the Dominican values of Justice, Compassion, Partnership, Community, and Truth, have prepared me to lead change and impact the profession that I and so many others hold very dear to our hearts. In a time when healthcare is vigorously changing, I cannot speak highly enough of the integrity of this program."
- Anna Schaal, RN, MSN; Professional Development Specialist in the Nursing Education UPH-Meriter