Purdue University Northwest Online Clinical Nurse Specialist & Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
The College of Nursing through Purdue University Northwest (PNW) offers an online MSN program and Post-Master’s Certificate programs with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) specializations. Students come to campus once during the Advanced Health Assessment course and complete precepted clinicals at approved sites local to the student.
The online nursing programs are offered part-time only, making them especially attractive to nurses working full-time or those needing to balance work, school, and family obligations. The MSN can be completed in about three years on a part-time basis, but students have up to six years to complete the programs. Students are eligible to transfer in a number of courses to the AGCNS and FNP certificate programs and the minimum credit requirement is 12 credits with a maximum of 30 credits.
PNW seeks to prepare graduates of these programs to merge knowledge, evidence, and practice skills with patient preferences; serve as leaders in a variety of nursing settings; and practice in a manner that honors humanistic nursing values. The curriculum focuses on clinical development, scientific inquiry, leadership, and role development. Unique to this program is the focus on developing the universe of nursing as defined by the concepts of Person, Health, Environment, and Nursing.
In addition, there is a great emphasis on the teaching-learning process that is constantly evolving throughout the program between faculty, preceptors, and students. Through this process, students learn to use critical thinking skills to communicate effectively, utilize evidence-based practice and become leaders who are committed to lifelong learning.
Purdue University Northwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Purdue University Northwest is located in Hammond, Indiana.
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What to Expect
Admission Requirements: All nursing applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license in a U.S. state. No GRE or GMAT is required. Admission materials include an application and fee, three recommendations, a 300 to 500-word statement, transcripts, a resume, and proof of RN licensure. Official transcripts are not required until acceptance.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
MSN: Hold a BSN degree from an accredited program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; have completed a basic physical assessment course and an introductory statistics course; pass a criminal background check.
Post-Master’s Certificate: Hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited program; have at least one year or 1,500 hours of RN work experience.
State Restrictions: Purdue University Northwest is an NC-SARA participant and accepts students from all states within this agreement. However, there may be restrictions for some states depending on their particular requirements for state licensure. Currently, the PNW online nursing programs meet requirements for state licensure in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Students in all states should check with the admissions department of the Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing to verify enrollment eligibility and licensure requirements. In addition, out-of-state students should always verify that the program meets state licensure requirements and precepted hours in their state of residence.
Study Plan: Nursing students are admitted in the Fall and Spring semesters. The online MSN and certificate programs are offered on a part-time basis only. Students can complete the MSN program in about 36 months or three years. Depending on the GAP Analysis, the certificate programs can be completed in about 18 months to two years. Students come to the Hammond Campus once for the Advanced Health Assessment course.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN programs comprise 47 credits and require completion of 555 precepted clinical hours. Core courses for both MSN programs include Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing; Sociocultural Influences on Health; Research and Evidence-Based Practice; Theoretical and Ethical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing; Informatics in Nursing; Healthcare Organization, Policy, and Economics; Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing; Advanced Health Assessment; Pathophysiologic Concepts I-II; and Health Promotion for Advanced Practice in Nursing.
- FNP Specialty Courses: Primary Care of the Young Family and Practicum; Primary Care of the Aging Family and Practicum; and FNP Practicum: Clinical Synthesis.
- AGCNS Specialty Courses: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist I-II and Practicum; and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III: Clinical Synthesis.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The AGCNS and FNP certificates comprise up to 30 credits depending on the results of a GAP Analysis and include 555 clinical hours. A minimum of 12 credits is required to earn the certificates. Courses include Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing; Advanced Health Assessment; Pathophysiologic Concepts I-II; and Health Promotion for Advanced Practice in Nursing. Each of these courses may be waived depending on prior schooling. The remaining courses follow the specialty courses as listed above.
Online Experience: Purdue University Northwest is now utilizing D2L Brightspace as its online learning management system (LMS). The institution is transitioning from Blackboard Learn. Almost all of the nursing courses are offered fully online in an asynchronous format. The Advanced Health Assessment course requires one campus visit. The Adult-Gerontology CNS I-II courses are a combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery. Online students should have a computer or laptop with an adequate amount of RAM and at least 250 GB of internal storage. PNW does not recommend the use of iPads or Chromebooks. Software needed includes Microsoft Office and anti-virus software. Students have access to a variety of online resources and apps including email, Google apps, Kaltura, the PNW Mobile app, and WebEx. Online student services include faculty office hours, academic advising, technical support, library and online bookstore, tutoring, and career counseling.
On-Site Requirements: One visit to the Hammond, Indiana campus is required for the Advanced Health Assessment course. Certificate students may have this course waived depending on prior education. Graduation is also held on campus and students are encouraged to attend.
Paying for Purdue University Northwest Online CNS & FNP Programs
Purdue University Northwest CNS and FNP tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Indiana residents pay less per credit than do non-residents. Travel expenses for the campus requirement are not included in tuition costs. For cost clarifications and updates, prospective students should contact the Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing admissions department.
Purdue University Northwest online graduate nursing students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans by applying through the FAFSA. Graduate nursing students are encouraged to check with their employers as to the option of a tuition reimbursement program. As well, there may be community, organizational, and religious grants and scholarships available.
The part-time MSN and certificate programs through Purdue University Northwest, with FNP and AGCNS specializations include one campus visit, low tuition rates, and a focus on the teaching-learning process between faculty, preceptors, and students.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Clinical Nurse Specialist
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Gyte Annex, Room 138, 2200 169th Street
Hammond, Indiana 46323
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
Fall, Spring
No
1
47
555
ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, LA, MD, NJ, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, UT, WA, WV
Program Tuition
47
$351.20
$16,506.40
$516.25
$24,263.75
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
47
555
ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, DC, GA, LA, MD, NJ, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
47
$351.20
$16,506.40
$516.25
$24,263.75
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
Fall, Spring
No
1
30
555
ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
CA, NY, PA
Program Tuition
30
$351.20
$10,536.00
$516.25
$15,487.50
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
30
555
ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
30
$351.20
$10,536.00
$516.25
$15,487.50
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.