Marymount University Nursing School Review
Marymount University (MU) is a Catholic university that was founded in 1950 as Marymount College. It started out as a two-year women’s school, but started accepting male students in 1972. The school has held on to its Catholic roots which is evident in its stance to pursue spiritual and intellectual development in unison. It offers a wide range of graduate and undergraduate programs and thus succeeds in reaching a large number of students on a yearly basis. Nursing students will find both graduate and undergraduate programs of interest in nursing. These include:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students interested in getting their BSN at the university can choose three main routes to make this possible:
1) A traditional four-year BSN program: This program prepares students to work as registered nurses after they have taken the state board examination (NCLEX-RN). It is open to both freshmen and transfer students. The number of years to complete the program varies on the type of students and their academic history. A freshman that is just entering the nursing program can finish the program in four years, whereas a transfer student’s completion date will depend on the number of credits being transferred and the courses covered at the previous university.
2) An accelerated BSN program: This program can be completed in four semesters. It is aimed at students that have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing course. It is the perfect option for those that wish to change careers.
3) A hybrid online RN -to-BSN program: This program is perfect for a working registered nurse (RN) that has an active RN license. It is specially targeted and developed for students that want to have more job possibilities by getting their BSN. Students must complete 36-80 credits. However, this will depend on their academic history and if they gained advance placement for previous college coursework.
Graduate Programs
Marymount University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with two streams; Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nursing Education. Both streams require students to hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing prior to application. The clinical practice involved in the Master of Science in Nursing Program takes places throughout Washington, DC and the program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Marymount University also offers a post-master’s certificate program, which prepares graduates to apply to write certification examinations. The certificate is composed of 30 credits in classes like Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Primary Care of the Family and Professional Role Development of the Family Nurse Practitioner. Marymount University also offers a post-masters certificate in Nursing Education, which is composed of 25 credit hours in courses like Advanced Health Assessment and Advanced Pharmacology.
Marymount University offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) designation, which is open to students who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and those with a non-clinical or clinical Master of Science in Nursing. Nurses who hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice designation are at the highest level in the nursing profession. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is designed for nurses who are currently employed and would like to pursue PhD education on a part-time basis. Students are able to enroll for the Fall semester only.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program
This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students have the following two options to choose from to gain more advanced knowledge in specific areas in nursing:
1) Master of Science – Family Nurse Practitioner: Students that are keen on working with the family will be trained throughout this program to undertake the various roles in this area. Throughout the program they are exposed to both clinical and laboratory settings that aid in the detection and evaluation of common illnesses. Students must complete 42 credits to be awarded the degree. Some of the courses covered in this program include: Advanced Pharmacology, Health Care Research, Nursing and Health Care Systems and Organizations and Primary Care of the Family just to name a few. Upon completion, they can take the certification exams administered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Committee.
2) Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner certificate: This program is comprised of 30 credits that are covered through 5 courses: Advanced Pathophysiology I & II, Advanced Assessment and Health Screening for the Family Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Pharmacology, Professional Role Development of the Family Nurse Practitioner and Primary Care of the Family I & II. At the end of the program, students are eligible to take the certification examinations offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Committee provided there are no hindrances.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)This is a part-time program with admissions only during the fall semester. It is geared towards working nurses and meets the requirements established by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students that have a BSN or non-clinical MSN and also those that have a clinical MSN are welcome to apply. All students will prepare a doctoral project on the clinical area of interest. They will also be expected to prepare a manuscript in a refereed journal. They can also choose to prepare a project appropriate for a regional or national conference. Students entering with a BSN must complete 72-74 credits, whereas those with a non-clinical MSN must complete 60-62 credits and those with a clinical MSN 30-32 credits.
Contact:
Marymount University
2807 North Glebe Road,
Arlington, VA 22207
Phone: (703) 522-5600
