Walden University Nursing School Review

Walden University is one of the universities in the world which has a global outreach. It has excelled exceptionally well to become the best online university globally. Walden University has evolved from a one program university in 1970 to the respected virtual university it is today.  It has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer undergraduate, master, and doctoral programs; most of which are delivered online.

Nursing at Walden University

The School of nursing at Walden is under the College of Health Sciences. Nursing programs under the school range from bachelor to doctoral degrees and post-masters certificates.  Because the programs are offered in an online version, the best candidates for the nursing programs are those who already have some nursing experience, hence registered nurses.  Accreditation is by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program

Completion of the RN to BSN program requires 180 quarter credits and students can apply up to 50 credits in recognition of their associate or diploma in nursing. Candidates for this program must also have active RN licenses and relevant current experience. Of the 180 quarter credits, students can be allowed up to 135 from general education, elective and lower-division courses. However, it is mandatory to finish the last 45 nursing major courses at Walden University.

Due to the flexibility of this online program, students can finish the curriculum after a minimum of two years but the exact completion time depends on the number of credits transferred from the Associate or Diploma.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing at Walden University (WU) is Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) -accredited. All the programs are offered online and as such, students receive flexible curriculum schedules. They are best suited for working nurses who wish to keep their day jobs as they study. The master’s program features two tracks depending on the student’s prior experience as follows:

  • BSN to MSN

This track is specifically designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses who want to gain advanced practice nursing.

  • RN to MSN

This, on the other hand, is meant for registered nurses who hold a diploma or associate degree in nursing. It is also the track that allows students with other bachelor’s degrees other than the BSN to become advanced practice nurses and get a master of science in nursing. For BSN-prepared nurses, 35 credits are needed while the RNs and non- BSN candidates take 59 credits. Regardless of the track, students pick one of the three areas of concentrations below:

  • MSN Nursing Informatics
  • MSN Education
  • MSN Leadership and Management

Postmasters certificates are also available for each of the MSN concentrations listed above.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

This online terminal nursing degree is meant for advanced practice nurses who hold any nursing specialty. It takes 47 to 53 credits with each practical nursing credit carrying an equivalent of 72 practicum hours. Practicum hours can be completed at the students’ location of choice with supervision by the university’s appointed supervision/ preceptor. The same case (for clinical locations)  applies to all the other nursing programs.

Contact:
Walden University
100 Washington Avenue South
Suite 1210
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401