Yale University Nursing School Review

Yale University can trace its history back to 1701, when a college for arts and sciences was started. Renamed Yale College in 1718, the school has grown until present day, with over 11,000 students enrolled. Yale has been called the most beautiful urban college in America.

Yale School of Nursing (YSN) was founded in 1923, and was the first university program to train nurses in an educational setting, as opposed to an apprenticeship program.

Nursing Programs

Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The MSN program trains students to become clinician-scholars in selected specialties and in research. This program is preparation for a wide variety of leadership roles.

To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree. They may already be a Registered Nurse (RN), or have no previous nursing experience. Those that are already licensed RNs can complete the program in two years if taken full time. There is also a part time study option available. Students will take a minimum of 40 credit hours to complete the program.

Students who have bachelors degree but no previous nursing experience can enter the Graduate Entry Pre-Specialty in Nursing (GEPN). This is a full time course of study, and takes two years plus a summer semester to complete. GEPN students will be qualified to sit for the RN licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) after their first year of study. GEPN students will take 80.9 credits to complete their degree, which includes the nursing courses required for the licensing exam.

The MSN program offers the following specialties:

  • Adult Advanced Practice Nursing (AAPN) – offers tracks in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Oncology Nurse Practitioner.
  • Adult-Gerontological, Family, and Women’s Health – focuses on caring for diverse populations. Students will be prepared to take the certification exam for the specialization track they studied.
  • Nurse-Midwifery – prepares nurse-midwives to provide care to women. Graduates will be eligible to take the American Midwifery Certification Board exam.
  • Nursing Management, Policy and Leadership (NMPL) – this part time, online program prepares nurses to engage in management and think strategically.
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – students learn to provide care to children and adolescents. After graduation, students may apply for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification.
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health – prepares students to provide mental health care to patients at all stages. Graduates may apply to be psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.

Post Master’s Certificates (Post-M.S.N.)

To apply for this program, students must have a current RN license, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, a master’s in a clinical specialty, and at least one year of clinical experience after completing their master’s degree. Students will submit an application, resume, personal statement, MSN transcript, and letters of recommendation.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program

The PhD program focuses on the research of health systems, clinical settings, and health care policy. This program is run by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Yale.

Students in this program must complete 12 core PhD courses, plus six courses in their specialization area. Students may take specialization courses in nursing or in a subject related to their dissertation.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This program is for nurses in their mid-career who want to participate in the decision making process in health care systems. Applicants must hold an MSN in a related field and be licensed as an RN or advanced practice nurse.

This program may be completed in one year if taken full time, or two years if part time. The program is 38 credits, including a Capstone project.

Post-Doctoral Program

This program is designed to prepare nurses to perform research in health management and the risk of developing certain health conditions. PhD program students will be invited to apply for the Post-Doctoral program if their research is in line with the program.

Students also have two other opportunities for post-doctoral work: Fellows, which are funded by an outside source, or Associates, which are Yale funded grants.

Joint Degrees

The university offers a joint degree between nursing and divinity. Students may either earn an MSN and a Master of Arts in Religion (MAR), or an MSN and a Master of Divinity (MDiv). The first option is a three year program (four for GEPN program students), and the second option is a four year program (five for GEPN). Potential applicants need to meet with the MSN specialty director and the associate dean for academic affairs to determine if their program will work. Students in the Nurse-Midwifery specialty are not eligible for this program.

Students may also pursue a joint degree in nursing and public health. They will earn an MSN and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in three years, or four if they are GEPN students. Students must apply to both the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health. Students in the Nurse-Midwifery specialty are not eligible for this program.

Students may earn an MSN and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in three years, or four if they are in the GEPN program. Applicants must meet with the master’s program chair and the associate dean of academic affairs to determine if this program will work before they apply.

Contact:
Yale University
38 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511

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