Athina Hansen
Content Writer at Gradehacker
Updated April 13, 2022
Meet Alissa. Alissa is set on pursuing her MSN degree but hasn’t decided which college’s MSN program best suits her.
Her friend Liz, who already has her MSN degree, recommended that she attain her MSN degree through the Purdue University Global Nursing Program.
Due to this, Alissa has Purdue Global in her sights. However, even though she’s heard great things about enrolling in a Purdue University Global Nursing Program, she has very little knowledge regarding Purdue’s MSN program.
She has already browsed Purdue Global’s website, where there is a long list of every Purdue University Global nursing program offered. However, even after perusing the MSN program, she has a foggy understanding of what the program entails.
Here at Gradehacker, we help non-traditional students daily in several areas, such as essays or exams. In our years of experience, we have assisted several Purdue MSN students, so we know the ins and outs of this MSN program.
If you relate to Alissa, you’re in the right place! In this article, we will be explaining what Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Nursing Program involves so that you can decide if it is what you’re looking for.
Official Program Name:
Online Master of Science in Nursing Program
Degree Level:
Master’s
Learning Format:
Online
Average Program Completion Time
2 Years
Course Effort:
15 Hours per Week (estimate found on Purdue’s MSN Program page)
Course Length:
10-Week Terms
Credits:
60-90 quarter credit hours depending on your pathway. The nurse practitioner pathways include 81-90 credit hours, while the other pathways include 60 credit hours.
Cost
$420 per college credit, but you can also use Purdue’s tuition calculator
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
MSN Program Prerequisites
For any Purdue Global nursing program, you will have to meet their general admission requirements:
- Be at least over 18 years old
- Complete an Enrollment Agreement
- Speak, read, and write English fluently
- Complete financial arrangements prior to starting class
- Fulfill any program-specific and/or international admissions requirements
- Have certain technological competencies
However, these are not the only educational requirements this MSN program involves!
Apart from the general eligibility requirements, you will also have to meet the following additional requirements:
- Transcript proving fulfillment of a bachelor’s in nursing degree, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Have a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in at least one state of the US
- A successful criminal background check
Do you fit these criteria? If so, you’re on the right path; continue reading to learn more about this MSN degree program.
What Does Purdue’s MSN Program Consist of?
Okay, now we’ll cover the most important part, what does the Purdue Global MSN program consist of? What education or preparation can I expect to receive?
Well, the Master of Science in Nursing program has the primary aim of expanding your prior nursing education and clinical background so that you can perform advanced practice in different healthcare settings.
This graduate nursing program is also a stepping stone for attaining your doctoral education.
Now we know the program’s aim, but you’re probably wondering how the program works. If you choose this academic program, you will complete a core curriculum and an evidence-based project proposal.
Curious about the core courses offered?
Well, the core courses touch on:
- Theoretical foundation in nursing
- Health policy
- Economic and organizational aspects of the healthcare delivery system
- Evidence-based decision making
- Advanced practice dilemmas
- Ethics
- Biostatistics
- Disease prevention and health promotion
Concentration and Population Focus Areas
As part of this Purdue Global nursing program, you will be required to select a particular concentration or population focus area.
The concentration/population focus area intends to increase your knowledge in the selected branch and your particular advanced role.
But which are the concentration/popular focus areas you can choose from?
Well, the available specializations are:
- Nurse educator
- Executive leader
- Family nurse practitioner primary care
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
Let’s cover these pathways one by one!
Nurse Educator Pathway
Okay, so what does the nurse educator MSN pathway look like?
If you choose this specialization, you will learn how to:
- Successfully instruct patients and their families
- Coordinate staff development programs
- Determine the value of educational programs
- Guide undergraduate nursing students using advanced nursing knowledge, curricular development, learning theories, and instructional design techniques
By choosing this branch, you will be prepared for the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination or the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Nursing Professional Development board certification examination!
Executive Leader Pathway
Interested in the executive leader pathway but don’t know what it involves?
Well, if you select this specialization, you will acquire professional skills necessary for leadership positions in several health care systems, such as hospitals or long-term care facilities.
By the end of this pathway, you will be able to undergo the Nurse Executive or the Nurse Executive Advanced certification examinations provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Family and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Pathway
What preparation will I receive if I choose the family and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner MSN pathway?
If you choose this specialization, you will learn how to:
- Properly provide primary care when working on an interprofessional team
- Expand access to evidence-based culturally competent care
- Assess the well-being of community members
- Diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic health conditions
- Provide primary and preventive care
- Take part in the creation of policy and evidence-based practice
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Pathway
Last, we have the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner population pathway.
If you decide to undergo this specialization, you will learn how to:
- Perform as a practitioner in the medical, surgical, and critical care management of acutely ill adult patients
- Practice in acute and complex care settings (ex: as a hospitalist in a medical-surgical unit, intensivist in a general or specialty critical care unit)
- Operate within the interprofessional acute care team, offering direct care management (ex: diagnosis and treatment planning)
Purdue’s MSN Program Curriculum
You’re probably eager to learn which module courses you would see as part of this program.
However, there is not one set curriculum for all pathways. The pathway you choose will determine the courses or curriculum you will undergo.
If you already know which pathway you will choose and would like to scan the curriculum, check out the degree plan page.
Clinical Practice Experiences
We can’t forget about the clinical practice experiences involved in this program!
Are you interested in either the executive leader or nurse educator pathway? These pathways involve clinical training, where you will put your theoretical knowledge into practice with a mentor’s guidance.
Or, are you instead drawn to the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, or family nurse practitioner primary care pathways?
If you decide upon any of these pathways, you will undergo several clinical courses instead. In these sessions, you will also apply the theoretical knowledge you acquired and work with a preceptor.
It is important to note that you will have to complete an in-person skill-intensive for the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner pathway.
Is Purdue University's MSN Program Right for Me?
Purdue Global’s MSN program will suit you if:
- You have already pursued your bachelor’s of science in nursing degree
- You had a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and successfully completed a statistics and nursing research course
- You are looking for time-schedule flexibility
Purdue Global’s MSN program will NOT suit you if:
- You learn best in an on-campus environment
- You prefer a highly structured learning program instead of time-schedule flexibility
We understand how challenging it can be to decide which MSN program is right for you. Hopefully, after reading this article, you can make your own decision!
Regardless of which type of nursing pathway you choose, the Purdue Global MSN program can take you one step further to earning your doctoral degree while opening the doors to better job opportunities and leadership roles.
If you start your Master’s degree in nursing and struggle with assignments or want to earn your diploma faster, you can contact the Gradehacker team to help you. We’ve got your back from essays, discussion boards, and classes to your entire career!
And if you want more useful tips for nursing students, check out our related content:
Athina Hansen
Athina has worked with Gradehacker both as a content writer and a study consultant, where she assisted college students with nursing courses. Athina has a background of educating others and producing content, having tutored college students and produced articles for her school magazine. She brings her experience to her current role, where she writes content to empower and assist the non-traditional college student who is often overlooked. You can find her on LinkedIn
