Nursing FAQs
Questions about Nursing immersion sessions, the RN-BSN program, pl-ABSN program or DNP program? Browse through frequently asked question about Nursing at UMass Global
Nursing FAQs
DNP
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- The BSN to DNP admission requirements are a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), and students must hold an unencumbered RN license.
- The Post-Master's to DNP program admissions requirements are a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) and an applicant must be an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS), hold an unencumbered APRN or CNS (if required) license and be nationally certified in his or her specialty.
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A nurse with an MSN or other master's degree who is not an APRN should enter the BSN to DNP program to become an APRN in one of our two nurse practitioner specialty areas. Compare MSN to DNP.
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Admission to the PM-DNP program is offered twice a year in Fall 1 (August) and Spring 1 (January). Admission to the BSN to DNP program is offered once a year in Spring 1 (January).
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All nursing programs in the Marybelle and S. Paul Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions are delivered using a blend of online learning and clinical practicum or mentored experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. During online sessions, students will engage in instructor-guided or self-directed study using live and recorded lectures, demonstrations, tutorials and other activities. This blend of teaching methods provides a rich and engaging learning experience for busy professionals who must juggle school, work and family.
Each DNP program also requires virtual immersions on campus.
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UMass Global has six sessions each year, two in the fall trimester, two in the spring trimester and two in the summer trimester. Each trimester is considered a unit of eligibility for financial aid. Each session is 8 weeks long. These shorter sessions allow students to focus their study on a small number of courses and still complete a degree in one to three years of study.
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No. Coursework is delivered online with virtual immersions for DNP students. Clinical practicum or mentored experiences are attended in the student’s home community.
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Yes, PM-DNP students may add a new specialty to their education plan after a successful interview with the specialty program director.
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Yes, students may complete two specialties in the BSN to DNP degree and will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam in each completed specialty. This adds time to the degree completion, but allows the student to complete two specialties and still receive financial aid.
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Students are expected to locate and establish their own preceptor/s and site/s. Our clinical placement coordinator and specialty NP Program Directors may work with students who need additional assistance.
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To earn the DNP degree, students must earn 73 credit hours, with 33 of the credits taken in residency at University of Massachusetts Global. Students entering with an advanced practice MSN degree may transfer a maximum of 40 credit hours from the MSN when applying to the Post-Masters DNP.
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DNP students complete a clinical scholarly project (CSP). The CSP is chaired by a faculty content expert, who assists the student in completing and defending an original scholarly work within the student’s chosen area of interest.
The DNP emphasizes clinical and applied evidence-based practice for best patient outcomes based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) and the AACN The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations (2016).
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The Musco School of Nursing offers two nurse practitioner specialties as part of the BSN to DNP degree:
- Family/Across the Lifespan (FNP)
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
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Both continuing education courses and post-doctorate certificates in the two nurse practitioner specialties are offered.
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Yes. The DNP programs are designed for working nurses. The amount of time you work during the program is dependent on your capacity as a student. However, many students reduce their work hours while completing the clinical practicum experiences required for the APRN specialty.
General
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Our first-time NCLEX pass rate is 57.89% during Quarter 4 of 2023.
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University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WSCUC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The WSCUC Senior College and University Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid. All programs offered by University of Massachusetts Global are encompassed by this regional accreditation.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) The Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs at University of Massachusetts Global are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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In most cases all nursing core courses must be taken at University of Massachusetts Global. There is a process for advanced placement, allowing program credit for previous education or for other acquired knowledge in the field of nursing, including military education and experience. Applicants interested in advanced placement should contact the Program Director via email for more information.
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There is a standard University of Massachusetts Global Technology Fee per session and fees associated with degree conferral at the time of graduation. MSNaHP also charges a pinning and hooding ceremony fee. Detailed fees can be found in the catalog at https://catalog.umassglobal.edu/tuition-fees/
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The University of Massachusetts Global Catalog with the requirements is linked here https://catalog.umassglobal.edu/nursing-health-professions/
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Financial aid is available for students who take at least two courses per trimester (one course per 8 weeks) while pursuing a degree at UMass Global.
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Call (866) 685-8793 or e-mail [email protected]
Immersion
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Fall 1 2023
PM-DNP 27 (with & without specialty)
Monday August 28 - Wednesday August 30, 2023
- Orientation Immersion
- DNPU 704: Evidence Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice
BSN-DNP 13
Tuesday August 29 – Thursday August 30, 2023
- DNPU 704: Evidence Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice
- PM-DNP 25 (with specialty) & PM-DNP 26 (with & without specialty)
- DNPU 701: Biostatistics for Clinical Practice
- RN-BSN FT 1x & PTx (On-campus or Online via Zoom)
- On-campus: TBD
- Online via Zoom: TBD
Orientation Immersion
- NURU 400: Transition in Practice: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
Fall 2 2023
BSN-DNP 12
Monday October 23 - Wednesday October 25, 2023
- NURU 604: Clinical Practicum- Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Cultures
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Spring 1 2024
BSN-DNP 14
Monday January 8 - Wednesday January 10, 2024
- Orientation Immersion
- NURU 601: Transitions in Practice: The Advanced Practice Nurse as DNP
PM-DNP 28 (with & without specialty)
Monday January 8 - Wednesday January 10, 2024
- Orientation Immersion
- DNPU 704: Evidence Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice
Spring 2 2024
Post-Doctorate 13 (Admitted 2024)
Monday March 4, 2024
- Orientation
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Summer 1 2024
BSN-DNP 12, PM-DNP 26 w/ Specialty, PM-DNP 27 w/ Specialty, Post-Doctorate 13 (Admitted 2024)
Monday April 29 – Wednesday May 1, 2024
- NURU 673: Practicum in Common Problems in Family/Across the Lifespan Care
Monday April 29 – Thursday May 2, 2024
- NURU 643: Practicum in Psychotherapeutic Treatment Modalities
BSN-DNP 13, PM-DNP 27 without Specialty
Monday April 29 – Thursday May 2, 2024
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During the immersion session, students meet face-to-face or remotely to learn online learning strategies, advanced information technology skills, communication and teamwork exercises and review skills in a state-of-the-art Immersion Learning and Simulation Center (ILSC). The ILSC provides computer-managed manikins and three-dimensional virtual reality environments using standardized patients for high fidelity learning.
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Yes, immersion sessions are intensive and will require your focus and attention through the entire time.
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A day at immersion is a full day of activity. Days run from approximately 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and time is spent in group demonstrations from faculty and other experts, small group discussions, hands-on skills learning and lab experiences. There is also time for networking and some fun! Academic and Financial Aid advisors are also available for individualized in-person meetings.
*Noting the typical end time to an immersion day, please do not schedule any travel arrangements to occur until after the end of the day. Leaving early, unless pre-approved, is not permissible. We recommend seeking any pre-approvals before booking travel accommodations.
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During face-to-face immersions, we offer morning refreshments (coffee, tea, water) and lunch. Many of our suggested hotels provide a continental breakfast. Other meals and snacks are not included. Since the days can be quite long, you are welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages.
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The Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions will provide a list of nearby hotels where students can stay. Most hotels have a shuttle service that provides transportation to and from campus and the airport. The closest airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County. Some students choose to rent a car for their stay but most do not. If you have an hour or more driving commute to and from the campus, we strongly recommend that you stay at a hotel in order to maximize your experience. Additional travel and lodging information are sent upon admission.
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Students are responsible for paying for their travel to and from immersion. Travel costs may be included in your financial aid package (discuss availability with your One Stop specialist).
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Some programs have multiple immersion sessions because the clinical specialty courses require advanced skills training sessions in a face-to-face learning environment.
RN to BSN
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The RN-BSN program requires that you are a Registered Nurse (RN) or have a NCLEX date before enrollment. UMass Global does not offer a pre-licensure or LVN/LPN to RN nursing program.
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To enter the RN to BSN program, you must have completed an associate degree in nursing, have an unencumbered RN license or have a NCLEX date.
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All students enrolled in the RN to BSN program must obtain an unencumbered RN license from the California Board of Registered Nursing, even if they will be participating in their clinical practicum experiences in another state (where they must also hold an unencumbered RN license).
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All nursing programs in the Marybelle and S. Paul Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions are delivered using a blend of online learning and clinical practicum or mentored experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. During online sessions, students will engage in instructor-guided or self-directed study using live and recorded lectures, demonstrations, tutorials and other activities. This blend of teaching methods provides a rich and engaging learning experience for busy professionals who must juggle school, work and family.
The RN-BSN program also requires one 3-day Immersion session at the Irvine, California, campus at the beginning of the program. The immersion can be attended virtually.
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UMass Global has six sessions each year, two in the fall trimester, two in the spring trimester and two in the summer trimester. Each trimester is considered a unit of eligibility for financial aid. Each session is 8 weeks long. These shorter sessions allow students to focus their study on a small number of courses and still complete a degree in one to three years of study.
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No. Coursework is delivered online with one immersion for RN-BSN students virtually or at the Irvine, California, campus. Clinical practicum or mentored experiences are attended in the student’s home community.
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Students are expected to locate and establish their own mentor/s and site/s for the leadership clinical practicum experience of 80 hours. A certified public health nurse teaches and mentors the required 96 hours of community health clinical practicum experiences. The RN-BSN program director will ensure that the leadership mentors and site/s meet eligibility as a clinical location, and our clinical placement coordinator may work with students who need additional clinical placement assistance.
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Many students in the RN-BSN program work part time while pursuing their BSN degree at UMass Global. Some students are able to work full time. However, most students greatly reduce their work hours while completing the leadership and community health clinical practicum experiences.
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The University of Massachusetts Global RN to BSN is 36 credits. In the full-time program, students take two 3-credit courses in each session for one year. Part-time students take one 3-credit course each session for two years. Community college students take two 3-credit courses during the summer before their final clinical year of their associate degree and complete the remainder of the credits after graduation with a full-time or part-time option.