RN-BSN to MSN Option
Undergraduate/Post-Licensure
- Earn your degree while you work & in as few as 8 semesters of year-round, full-time enrollment
- Registered nurses looking to complete their BSN degree and earn a MSN degree
- Save time & Tuition - Earn both your BSN and MSN in a shorter period of time
- Online Coursework with experiential learning activities (Plus required on-site practicum hours)
- Choose from six MSN Specialty Tracks
- Total credit hours:1
- RN-BSN to MSN (Healthcare Policy, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Nursing Informatics and Population Health Specialty Tracks): 1512
- RN-BSN to MSN (AGACNP Specialty Track: 1643) (FNP Specialty Track: 1613) (PMHNP Specialty Track: 1633)
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Includes up to 77 proficiency credits through the Chamberlain College Articulation Program.
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152 for Washington residents, and students residing in California or Minnesota seeking to obtain a certificate in public health nursing from the CA or MN Board of Nursing. 158 for students enrolled prior to May 2016; 159 for Tennessee residents enrolled prior to May 2016.
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161 for Washington residents, and students residing in California or Minnesota seeking to obtain a certificate in public health nursing from the CA or MN Board of Nursing. 167 for students enrolled prior to May 2016; 168 for Tennessee residents enrolled prior to May 2016.
Note: Program/program option availability varies by state/location.
Practicum/Experiential Learning Evaluation
In Chamberlain post-licensure programs students in clinical/experiential practicum settings will be evaluated regularly on meeting clinical objectives throughout each course. This evaluation is completed by both the preceptor/mentor and the course faculty. Students must successfully meet clinical objectives specific to each course by the end of that course. The faculty of record is responsible for all evaluation of student performance and makes the final determination of grades regarding student evaluation. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate their preceptor and clinical site once each term.
Program Details
RN-BSN to MSN Option
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/ Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Semesters: 8 Full Time
In the RN-BSN to MSN option, eligible RN students who are working towards their BSN degree at Chamberlain may apply for admission to the MSN degree program prior to completing the BSN degree program. Students are able to complete the degree requirements for the BSN degree program while enrolled in the MSN degree program by taking selected MSN courses in place of two required BSN courses. The MSN courses offer a more focused, higher level of content than the corresponding BSN courses. Students are able to meet program outcomes for the BSN degree through completion of the BSN curriculum with six alternate credit hours of select MSN coursework. Students opting for this dual enrollment have the option to complete the final two courses in the BSN curriculum and to exit the program with a BSN degree at any time. Students enrolled in the RN-BSN to MSN option will graduate with their BSN degree upon successful completion of the MSN core.
For more information, visit chamberlain.edu/rnmsn.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Courses
Prior to January 2024 for the RN-BSN to MSN option, students must complete NR-500 Foundational Concepts and Applications or NR-500NP Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles (NP track only), and achieve a minimum grade of "B." Students who take NR-500 Foundational Concepts and Applications or NR-500NP Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles and fail to achieve a "B" or higher will be dismissed from the RN-BSN to MSN option. The student may still be eligible to complete the RN to BSN option. Master of Science in Nursing course NR-512 Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics or NR-599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice (NP track only) replaces NR-361 RN Information Systems in Healthcare.1 NR-505 Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice or NR-505NP Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice (NP track only) replaces NR-451 RN Capstone Course in the RN to BSN option. Students must clear a background and fingerprint check before registering for any MSN-NP specialty track courses.2
Effective January 2024 for the RN-BSN to MSN option, students must complete NR-581 Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-581NP Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice
(NP track only), and achieve a minimum grade of "B." Students who take NR-581 Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-581NP Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice and fail to achieve a "B" or higher will be dismissed from the RN-BSN to MSN option. The student may still be eligible to complete the RN to BSN option. Master of Science in Nursing course NR-583 Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-583NP Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice
(NP track only) replaces NR-361 RN Information Systems in Healthcare.2 NR-585 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-585NP Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice
(NP track only) replaces NR-451 RN Capstone Course in the RN to BSN option. Students must clear a background and fingerprint check before registering for any MSN-NP specialty track courses.3
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Students who started prior to November 2018 will complete NR-504 Leadership and Nursing Practice: Role Development or NR-510 Leadership and Role of the APN (FNP Specialty Track students only) which replaces NR-447 Collaborative Leadership in Healthcare.
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Students who started after January 2024 will complete NR-582 Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-582NP Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP Specialty Track students only) which replaces NR-447 Collaborative Leadership in Healthcare.
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Fingerprinting policy is applicable only to students enrolled on or after September 2017.
For the complete list of MSN core and specialty track courses, see Master of Science in Nursing curriculum or Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner curriculum.
RN to BSN Option Courses
(Effective November 2022 - 1221 credit hours)
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123 for Washington residents, and students residing in California or Minnesota seeking to obtain a certificate in public health nursing from the CA or MN Board of Nursing. (21 general education; 25 nursing; 77 CCAP).
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Chamberlain College Articulation Plan | ||
CCAP | ||
Registered nurses with current, active RN licensure in the U.S. or a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) may be awarded up to 77 proficiency credit hours through the Chamberlain College Articulation Plan (CCAP). This includes 37 general education credits and 40 nursing credits. | 77 | |
English and Communications | ||
ENGL-148N | Advanced English Composition | 3 |
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
MATH-225N | Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences | 3 |
Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
HIST-405N | United States History | 3 |
HUMN-303N | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
Social Sciences | ||
POLI-330N | Political Science | 3 |
Nursing 1 | ||
NR-305 | Health Assessment for the Practicing RN | 4 |
NR-351 | Foundational Concepts for the Practicing RN | 3 |
NR-361 | RN Information Systems in Healthcare 2 | 3 |
NR-439 | RN Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
Community Health Nursing II | ||
Community, Public, and Population Health Nursing 3 | ||
NR-447 | Collaborative Leadership in Healthcare | 4 |
NR-451 | RN Capstone Course 2 | 3 |
Electives 4 | ||
Any combination of the courses below or courses from English and Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences and Fine Arts which you have not already taken: | 6 | |
MATH-105N | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
NR-300A | Directed Independent Study | 1 |
NR-300B | Directed Independent Study | 2 |
NR-300C | Directed Independent Study | 3 |
NR-307A | Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity in Healthcare | 1 |
NR-307B | Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity in Healthcare | 2 |
NR-307C | Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity in Healthcare | 3 |
NR-393 | Nursing History | 3 |
NR-394 | Transcultural Nursing | 3 |
NR-395 | Ethics, Integrity, and Professional Nursing Trends | 1 |
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25 for Washington residents, and students residing in California or Minnesota seeking to obtain a certificate in public health nursing from the CA or MN Board of Nursing.
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Students enrolled in the Chamberlain RN-BSN to MSN option prior to January 2024 are required to complete NR-512 Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics and NR-505 Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice or NR-505NP Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice (for NP track only) in place of NR-361 RN Information Systems in Healthcare and NR-451 RN Capstone Course, respectively, which fulfills BSN program requirements. Effective January 2024, students enrolled in the Chamberlain RN-BSN to MSN option are required to complete NR-583 Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice and NR-585 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-585NP Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice (for NP track only) in place of NR-361 RN Information Systems in Healthcare and NR-451 RN Capstone Course, respectively, which fulfill BSN program requirements.
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NR-435 Community Health Nursing II is required for students residing in Washington and students residing in California or Minnesota seeking to obtain a certificate in public health nursing from the CA or MN Board of Nursing. This course includes at least 96 hours of public health clinical experience and fulfills the state requirement for community health nursing. This course must be taken during the last semester of the program. If a non-Washington resident takes NR-436 Community, Public, and Population Health Nursing and later moves to Washington, they will be required to complete the clinical portion of NR-435 Community Health Nursing II before graduating.
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In order to satisfy graduation requirements, elective courses may be added to the individual’s plan of study. Contact your academic support advisor for more information.
Note: Program/Program option availability varies by state/location.
Note: Students have the option to exit the RN-BSN to MSN option and complete the remaining courses in the BSN curriculum to earn only the BSN degree. No additional application fee is required for the graduate portion of this program.
Note: When registering for general education or science elective courses, students will need to select the course with an "N" suffix designator (i.e., ENGL-118N English Composition). The general education coursework grading scale applies to courses with this designator. Students residing in Washington will need to select the NR-447 Collaborative Leadership in Healthcare course with the M suffix designator (i.e., NR-447M Collaborative Leadership in Healthcare).
Note: Students enrolled in NR-435 Community Health Nursing II are responsible for specifying their own practicum site and qualified mentor or preceptor that meet the criteria established by Chamberlain. If students are unable to secure their own practicum site and qualified preceptor, Chamberlain will assist in identifying site/preceptor upon the student providing documentation of at least five potential sites that have not been able to accommodate the student, and must submit the request three sessions in advance of the need. Students using Chamberlain's preceptor matching service will be provided with one preceptor option within a 100-mile radius of their home address. Students must have an active and unrestricted nursing license in the state where they will complete their practicum. If the preceptor, mentor and/or field instructor you are submitting for Chamberlain University’s review and approval was found using a student-arranged third-party preceptor matching service, be advised that Chamberlain University will not reimburse any fees you may have incurred.
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Courses Prior to January 2024
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
NR-500 | Foundational Concepts and Applications | 3 |
NR-501 | Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-504 | Leadership and Nursing Practice: Role Development | 3 |
NR-505 | Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice 1 | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Health Care Policy | ||
Quality and Safety in Healthcare | ||
NR-512 | Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics 1 | 3 |
MSN-NP Specialty Track (Effective July 2020) | ||
Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles | ||
Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice 1 | ||
Healthcare Policy and Leadership | ||
Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice |
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Students enrolled in the Chamberlain RN-BSN to MSN option are required to complete NR-512 Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics and NR-505 Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice or NR-505NP Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice (for NP track only) in place of NR-361 RN Information Systems in Healthcare and NR-451 RN Capstone Course, respectively, which fulfills BSN program requirements.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MSN Specialty Track Courses | ||
Complete one of the following specialty tracks: | 18-27 | |
(a) FNP Specialty Track (For students enrolled prior to May 2019) | ||
Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Pharmacology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Leadership and Role of the APN | ||
Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care Practicum | ||
Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum | ||
Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum | ||
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum | ||
FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive | ||
FNP Specialty Track (Effective May 2019) | ||
Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care Practicum | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Advanced Pharmacology for Care of the Family | ||
Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum | ||
Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum | ||
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum | ||
FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive | ||
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track (Effective July 2020) | ||
Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Advanced Pharmacology for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | ||
Differential Diagnosis in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care | ||
Primary Care Management of Adolescents and Adults | ||
Primary Care Management of Older Adults | ||
Palliative Care in Adult-Gerontology Across the Spectrum | ||
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Capstone and Intensive | ||
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Specialty Track (Effective July 2020) | ||
Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Advanced Pharmacology for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | ||
Differential Diagnosis in Acute Care Practicum | ||
Common Diagnosis and Management in Acute Care Practicum | ||
Complex Diagnosis and Management in Acute Care Practicum | ||
Advanced Acute Care Management | ||
Advanced Acute Care Management Lab | ||
Acute Care Practicum I | ||
Acute Care Practicum II | ||
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Specialty Track | ||
Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Advanced Pharmacology: Psychopharmacology for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ||
Psychiatric Assessment for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ||
Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan Practicum | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan I Practicum | ||
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health II Practicum | ||
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health III Practicum | ||
Psychiatric-Mental Health Capstone Practicum & Intensive | ||
(b) Healthcare Policy Specialty Track | ||
Economics of Healthcare Policy | ||
Global Health | ||
Health Policy: Advancing Health Equity & Outcomes | ||
The Nurse Leader and Health Policy | ||
Healthcare Policy Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Healthcare Policy Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(c) Nurse Educator Specialty Track (Effective March 2019) | ||
Curriculum Development | ||
Theoretical Foundations and Instructional Strategies for the Nurse Educator | ||
Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Assessment and Evaluation in Education | ||
Nurse Educator Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Nurse Educator Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(d) Nurse Executive Specialty Track | ||
Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Organizations | ||
Healthcare Operational Planning and Management | ||
Financial Management in Healthcare Organizations | ||
Healthcare Systems Management | ||
Nurse Executive Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Nurse Executive Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(e) Nursing Informatics Specialty Track | ||
Practice of Nursing Informatics | ||
Managing Data and Information | ||
Information Workflow in Healthcare | ||
Informatics Nurse Specialist Practicum I | ||
Informatics Nurse Specialist Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Informatics Nurse Specialist Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(f) Population Health Specialty Track | ||
Foundations Population Health | ||
Population Health I: Assessment and Analysis of Data | ||
Population Health II: Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation | ||
Leading and Managing Population Health | ||
Population Health Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Population Health Concluding Graduate Experience II |
Note: Program/Program option availability varies by state/location.
Note: Students have the option to exit the RN-BSN to MSN option and complete the remaining courses in the BSN curriculum to earn only the BSN degree. No additional application fee is required for the graduate portion of this program.
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Courses Effective January 2024
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
NR-581 | Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-582 | Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-583 | Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-584 | Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-585 | Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-586 | Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
MSN-NP Specialty Track | ||
NR-581NP | Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-582NP | Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-583NP | Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-584NP | Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-585NP | Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NR-586NP | Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
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Effective January 2024, students enrolled in the Chamberlain RN-BSN to MSN option are required to complete NR-583 Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice and NR-585 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice or NR-585NP Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice (for NP track only) in place of NR-361 RN Information Systems in Healthcare and NR-451 RN Capstone Course, respectively, which fulfill BSN program requirements.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MSN Specialty Track Courses | ||
Complete one of the following specialty tracks: | 18-27 | |
(a) FNP Specialty Track | ||
Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Pharmacology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Leadership and Role of the APN | ||
Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care Practicum | ||
Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum | ||
Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum | ||
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum | ||
FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive | ||
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Specialty Track | ||
Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Advanced Pharmacology for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | ||
Differential Diagnosis in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care | ||
Primary Care Management of Adolescents and Adults | ||
Primary Care Management of Older Adults | ||
Palliative Care in Adult-Gerontology Across the Spectrum | ||
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Capstone and Intensive | ||
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Specialty Track | ||
Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Advanced Pharmacology for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | ||
Differential Diagnosis in Acute Care Practicum | ||
Common Diagnosis and Management in Acute Care Practicum | ||
Complex Diagnosis and Management in Acute Care Practicum | ||
Advanced Acute Care Management | ||
Advanced Acute Care Management Lab | ||
Acute Care Practicum I | ||
Acute Care Practicum II | ||
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Specialty Track | ||
Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Advanced Pathophysiology | ||
Advanced Physical Assessment | ||
Advanced Pharmacology: Psychopharmacology for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ||
Psychiatric Assessment for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ||
Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan Practicum | ||
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals | ||
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan I Practicum | ||
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health II Practicum | ||
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health III Practicum | ||
Psychiatric-Mental Health Capstone Practicum & Intensive | ||
(b) Healthcare Policy Specialty Track | ||
Economics of Healthcare Policy | ||
Global Health | ||
Health Policy: Advancing Health Equity & Outcomes | ||
The Nurse Leader and Health Policy | ||
Healthcare Policy Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Healthcare Policy Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(c) Nurse Educator Specialty Track | ||
Curriculum Development | ||
Theoretical Foundations and Instructional Strategies for the Nurse Educator | ||
Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
Assessment and Evaluation in Education | ||
Nurse Educator Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Nurse Educator Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(d) Nurse Executive Specialty Track | ||
Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Organizations | ||
Healthcare Operational Planning and Management | ||
Financial Management in Healthcare Organizations | ||
Healthcare Systems Management | ||
Nurse Executive Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Nurse Executive Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(e) Nursing Informatics Specialty Track | ||
Practice of Nursing Informatics | ||
Managing Data and Information | ||
Information Workflow in Healthcare | ||
Informatics Nurse Specialist Practicum I | ||
Informatics Nurse Specialist Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Informatics Nurse Specialist Concluding Graduate Experience II | ||
(f) Population Health Specialty Track | ||
Foundations Population Health | ||
Population Health I: Assessment and Analysis of Data | ||
Population Health II: Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation | ||
Leading and Managing Population Health | ||
Population Health Concluding Graduate Experience I | ||
Population Health Concluding Graduate Experience II |
Note: Program/Program option availability varies by state/location.
Note: Students have the option to exit the RN-BSN to MSN option and complete the remaining courses in the BSN curriculum to earn only the BSN degree. No additional application fee is required for the graduate portion of this program.
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.