As a student in Alverno's Master of Science in Nursing program, you will become a change agent to impact the health care disparities experienced by vulnerable populations, provide cutting-edge and cost-effective therapeutic interventions, address global health challenges through strategic use of technology and science, cultivate transformative thinking and diagnostic reasoning, and lead practice-based changes grounded in scientific evidence.
Our program, which is open to women and men, trains health care leaders who are ready to advance the nursing profession. Our graduates, who are highly sought after by health care system employers, are currently meeting critical community health needs by providing advanced care in primary care clinics, mental health hospitals and clinics, specialty units in hospitals, community-based organizations and many other settings.
In Alverno's MSN program, you will be guided by five program outcomes and required to demonstrate these abilities throughout your coursework as well as your career. To earn an Alverno MSN you will be expected to:
Assume leadership
Collaborate with, coordinate and manage an interdisciplinary team
Communicate effectively
Integrate nursing science and learning theory
Synthesize inquiry processes and learning approaches
We offer the following advanced practice nursing MSN degree programs:
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced care to infants across the spectrum, from premature neonates to infants up to two years of age. You will complete 45 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care, specialty newborn care units, and level II-IV neonatal intensive care units. Courses are offered online, except for one on-campus NNP procedures workshop.
The Dual Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you to provide advanced primary and acute care to adults, from adolescents to the elderly. You will complete 50 credits in theory, advanced clinical procedures, and clinical practicum courses, including 1,200 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care (600 hours) and acute/critical care settings (600 hours), thereby expanding your scope of practice and increasing your employability. Completion of the dual-track program requires only one semester more of full-time study than either the AGPCNP or AGACNP program alone. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for dual national certification as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced acute care to adults, from adolescents to the elderly. The stabilization of patients with multiple complex health problems and prevention of complications through high-quality, cost-effective inter-professional team management is emphasized. You will complete 41 credits in theory, advanced clinical procedures, and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in acute and/or critical care settings.
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced primary care to adults, from adolescents to the elderly. Advanced health promotion, disease prevention, and high-quality, cost-effective management of episodic and chronic health problems are emphasized. You will complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care settings.
The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program will prepare you to provide advanced care across the age continuum from illness to wellness and from acute care to primary care. Clinical nurse specialists are leaders and facilitators of change, coordinators of specialized care, and implementers of evidence-based care within and between organizations to facilitate quality improvement, patient safety, and lower health care costs. You will complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in specialty care settings.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program will prepare you to work in the community and to care for patients across the life span, treating common acute and chronic illnesses. Working in primary care settings, FNPs provide high-quality, patient-centered health care to a broad range of consumers. You will complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care settings.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced comprehensive mental health care for individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan with psychiatric disorders. You will complete 42 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in psychiatric and mental health care settings.
At the completion of your MSN program, you will be eligible to apply for national certification in your advanced practice specialty and state-sanctioned prescriptive authority.
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
If you have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, consider one of our post-master's certificate programs. Depending on your prior master's coursework, in as few as three semesters you can advance your career in one of the following advanced practice nurse roles:
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
With a post-master's certificate from Alverno, you will be eligible to apply for national certification in your advanced practice specialty and state-sanctioned prescriptive authority.
MSN Admission Requirements
You've already changed many lives. We believe you can change many more — starting with your own.
For consideration in this program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from a college or university accredited by a nursing accreditation agency approved by the Department of Education. You must hold a current, unencumbered registered nurse license or be eligible for RN licensure in the state of Wisconsin or multi-state compact.
Is there a way to help finance my future?
Graduate students are eligible to apply for loans. To qualify for a federal loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications can be found at fafsa.ed.gov (use Alverno's federal code 003832). We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA even if you do not anticipate the need for financial aid at this time. If your situation changes, your information will already be on file.
What about my busy schedule?
You will work closely with your advisor to develop a course projection plan that fits with your lifestyle.
Two recommendations (Both must come from professionals who have played a supervisory role in your nursing development.)
Official transcripts (verifying baccalaureate or advanced degree in Nursing)
Professional Statement: Submit a two-page, double spaced professional statement describing why you want to pursue an advanced practice nursing degree in the particular track you've chosen, and share your goals for using your degree after graduation. Please use APA (American Psychological Association) format in your statement.
Current resume
Copy of unencumbered nursing license
Application will be reviewed for admission.
Questions? Call Graduate Admissions at 414-382-6100 or 800-933-3401.
