University of Virginia Nursing School Review

The University of Virginia (UVA) was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 and is made up of eleven schools located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The College at Wise is located in southwest Virginia. The University of Virginia is home to over 50 bachelor’s degrees and over 80 master’s degrees as well as six educational specialist degrees, and law and medicine degrees, and over 55 doctoral degrees.

The School of Nursing at the University of Virginia offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP), and a Ph.D. in Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Virginia is intended for students entering post-secondary education from high school for the first time. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program take courses in anatomy, physiology, growth and development, pharmacology, pathophysiology, administration, and nursing practice and upon graduation go on to sit the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Virginia is four years in duration.

The University of Virginia also offers a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN to BSN), which is intended for individuals who are already Registered Nurses and wish to complete baccalaureate education. The program can be completed in 21 months on a part-time basis and classes are offered one day every week, so that students can continue to work as a Registered Nurse and their employment is not disrupted. Students in this track must enroll in 30 credits and upon completion will receive 41 credits for being a Registered Nurse. Registered Nurses with an undergraduate degree in a non-nursing field can apply for the Clinical Nurse Leader program, which grants students with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree after 41 credits have been completed.

Students in the BSN degree can also enroll in one or two classes on a non-degree basis as a non-degree, visiting student. MSN students can also enroll as visiting students, as can Doctoral students. The nursing programs at the University of Virginia also accept International Visiting Students for one semester or one academic year and enroll in courses that they can eventually transfer to their home country, so they are classified as exchange students.

Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN)

The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Program: Clinical Nurse Leader is intended for students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field. Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing are also able to apply to the Clinical Nurse Leader Program. The University of Virginia admits students every summer and the program is 24 months long on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of Virginia, individuals must hold a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a nationally accredited school and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate education. Individuals must also have completed prerequisites courses prior to enrolling in the Master of Science in Nursing program. The GRE is required for individuals with a 3.25 GPA or lower and individuals must submit three reference letters and a copy of his or her resume. Interviews are sometimes requested, so individuals should be prepared.

Other than the Clinical Nurse Leader Program, masters degree programs in nursing include the following specializations; Acute and Specialty Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader for RNs, Family Nurse Practitioner Program (FNP), Health Systems Management Track, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Program, Public Health Nursing Leadership Program, Public Health Nursing Leadership combined with Family or Pediatric and Nurse Practitioner Preparation. skill

MSN/MBA Joint Degree Program

The University of Virginia also offers a joint Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration option. The Dual MSN/MBA Program is a joint venture between the School of Nursing and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. This degree program will help enhance the management skills of health care leaders by using theoretical and practical training methods to advance the clinical and administrative abilities of the students.

Applicants can choose to complete the MSN courses only and therefore be awarded the MSN in Health Systems Management upon completion. These Health Systems Management Masters students will need to finish all the courses of the degree program through distance learning. There is the option of doing the courses on a part-time basis though. Those who wish to attend the MBA part of the program will need to do so on a full-time basis on campus at Charlottesville, Virginia.

Graduates of the MSN/MBA and MSN in Health Systems Management will academically be prepared for executive management roles in health care systems, and health care policy.

Certificate Programs

The University of Virginia offers certificate programs in the following; Acute & Specialty Care CNS Program, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Health Systems Management Program, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program, Psychiatric Mental Health Program (CNS or PMHNP), Public Health Nursing Leadership Program and Wound, Ostomy, Continence (WOC) Nursing Program.

Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Degrees in Nursing

The University of Virginia has two doctoral programs in nursing; the Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) program. The programs are intended for the working nurse and students must complete research projects in clinical or evidence-based practice for the DNP and methods-based for the Ph.D. Individuals applying for the Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Virginia must hold a BSN or MSN degree and those applying for the DNP must have an MSN degree with a clinical specialization. Upon applying to the program, individuals must state what type of research he or she is interested in pursuing.

Contact:
University of Virginia
400 Ray C. Hunt Drive
P.O. Box 400229
Charlottesville, VA 22902