Online Master’s in Nursing

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Take your nursing career to the next level

PennWest nursing programs provide opportunities for professional advancement.

According to nurse.org, nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession. If you have already earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing, PennWest’s online Master’s in Nursing programs can take your career to the next level, providing opportunities for professional advancement in a variety of roles as well as additional financial compensation.

You’ll learn from faculty who are skilled clinicians and educators. They are committed to providing you with a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, so you have the confidence to perform your duties at the highest possible level.

Choose from two tracks that lead to high-demand jobs – Nurse Administrator and Family Nurse Practitioner. Courses are delivered online with both synchronous and asynchronous instruction except for clinical practice. You’ll be prepared to sit for certification exams that allow you to use your specialized skills in the delivery of health care.

CCNE information

The RN-BSN, MSN-Administration and Leadership, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at PennWest are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

PennWest University, including Clarion, California, and Edinboro campuses, will submit a self-study and host a site visit for our accrediting body, CCNE. The site visit will be on March 29-31, 2023.  This serves as formal notification of the upcoming visit and provides an opportunity for third-party comments concerning the program’s qualifications for accreditation.  

CCNE must receive written third-party comments regarding programs by no later than 21 days prior (March 1, 2023) to the first day of the scheduled on-site evaluation. CCNE accepts only signed comments. CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team before the visit, but these comments are not shared with the program at any time during the review process. During its program review, the evaluation team considers third-party comments related to the accreditation standards. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE's policy on the Conduct of Business.

If you would like to submit a third-party comment for a program under review, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.

Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
ATTN: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001

ACEN information

The BSN, RN-BSN, MSN- Nurse Practitioner programs at PennWest are accredited by ACEN:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326


Public Notice of Upcoming Accreditation Review Visit By The ACEN

Pennsylvania Western University wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its ASN, RN-BSN and BSN nursing programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program via a Zoom meeting scheduled at 11:30 am - 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, by using this Zoom link https://pennwest-edu.zoom.us/j/92055014709.

Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted directly to:

Dr. Kathy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Or email: kchappell@acenursing.org

All written comments should be received by the ACEN by February 28, 2024

$117,670

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in 2020, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) earned a median income of $117,670 per year.

National Rankings

In 2019 U.S. News & World Report ranked our online MSN program 35th in the country for Best Online Master’s in Nursing and Nursejournal.org ranked us among America’s Best Nursing Programs in the East.

Fully Accredited

PennWest’s M.S. in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Fast Facts

500

Number of clinical practice hours required for the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

Credits:

Varies by concentration

Format:

100% online

Start Terms:

Varies by concentration

Contact:

Graduate Admissions
gradadmissions@pennwest.edu
724-938-4187

Concentrations

Administration and Leadership
Family Nurse Practitioner

Careers and Salaries

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Nursing?

When you earn a master’s degree in nursing, a world of opportunities opens to you. Check out these median incomes posted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2021:

  • Nursing Administrator: $104,280
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP): $111,680
  • Nursing Instructors and Teachers: $75,470
  • Clinical Nurse Leader: $104,107
  • Informatics Nurse: $102,230
  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): $111,130
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist: $106,407
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): $183,580

Admissions Requirements

Administration and Leadership Admission Requirements

  • Official transcripts from an accredited BSN program GPA of 3.00 or higher in undergraduate nursing degree or in the last 60 credits completed
  • GPA of 3.00 or higher in undergraduate nursing degree or in the last 60 credits completed
  • Valid RN licensure in the state in which the applicant is employed in nursing
  • Current Resume indicating at least one year of experience working in nursing
  • An essay to include career goals and objectives as well as a description of how the student plans to utilize the MSN degree

Conditional Admission Requirements

  • Official transcripts from an accredited BSN program
  • GPA of 3.00 or below in undergraduate nursing degree or in the last 60 credits completed will be reviewed
  • Valid RN licensure in the state in which the applicant is employed in nursing
  • Current Resume indicating at least one year of experience working in nursing
  • An essay to include career goals and objectives as well as a description of how the student plans to utilize the MSN degree
  • Required Gen Ed/Co-requisite: Any Statistics required. If needed student would take the online PennWest MAT 205 Statistics in Healthcare

Family Nurse Practitioner Admission Requirements

  • Official transcripts from an accredited BSN program
  • GPA of 3.00 or higher
  • Additional Transcripts from ALL undergraduate and graduate institutions attended regardless of whether or not earned a degree.
  • Valid RN licensure in the state in which the applicant is employed in nursing
  • Current Resume indicating at least one year of experience working in nursing. Minimum One year of recent full-time clinical practice or two years of part-time clinical practice
  • An essay 1-2 pages to include  career goals and objectives as well as a description of understanding of FNP role and your personal goals
  • Two Recommensation Letters from professional  colleagues  (registered  nurses  preferred)  

Gen Ed/Co-requisites:

  • Required: Statistics within last 10 years with C or better grade. If needed student can take the online PennWest MAT 205 Statistics in Healthcare
  • Recommended: Pathophysiology within last 5 years

The Power of PennWest

PennWest’s three campuses, California, Clarion and Edinboro universities, have been delivering award-winning online programs for more than 20 years. You’ll graduate with a degree from Pennsylvania Western University, completely supported by the expertise and community of learners on our brick-and-mortar campuses.

Flexible. Affordable.
Designed to Meet Your needs.
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