Rush Online Nursing Programs Ranked 11th in U.S.

Rush University College of Nursing ranks 11th among 150 schools listed in the graduate nursing programs category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 “Best Online Programs” list, improving two spots from its 2015 ranking. The rankings were released today.

“We are proud to once again be recognized for our commitment to preparing superb practitioners and leaders in nursing, regardless of student location,” said Marquis Foreman, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of Rush University College of Nursing. “Our distance-learning students benefit from the same dedicated faculty who teach students on our campus.”

Rush University College of Nursing also is ranked No. 19 out of 503 graduate nursing schools in the country in U.S. News’ 2016 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” survey and has six specialties ranked in the top five.

The online program rankings are calculated by U.S. News based on the following categories:

• Student engagement (30 percent). Students can readily collaborate with fellow students and instructors in their classes and clinical settings.
• Faculty credentials and training (25 percent). Online program instructors have credentials that mirror those of instructors for campus-based programs.
• Peer reputation (20 percent). A survey of high-ranking academic officials in nursing accounts for intangible factors affecting program quality that are not captured by statistics.
• Student service and technology (15 percent). The incorporation of diverse online learning technologies that allow greater flexibility for students to take classes from a distance.
• Admissions selectivity (10 percent). Students enter the program with proven aptitudes, ambitions and accomplishments that help them handle the demands of rigorous course work.

Online programs build on proud history

Almost 8,000 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students have graduated from Rush University College of Nursing. The college awarded its first bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1975, its first doctor of nursing science degree in 1980 and its first practice doctorate in 1990.

Nursing programs are offered from the master’s through the doctoral (DNP and PhD) levels. The generalist entry master’s program is the pre-licensure program for entry into registered nurse practice.

The following are the college’s degree options available online:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for RNs: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Advanced Public Health Nursing
• Systems Leadership
• Leadership to Enhance Population Health Outcomes
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Science

BSN-PhD in nursing science

• Master’s-PhD in nursing science