Our Generalist Entry Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader program is for students with a bachelor’s in another field who want to pursue nursing.
You will focus on clinical leadership in nursing as you earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
The GEM program, , allows you to learn both online and in person. You also have a path to pursue one of six doctoral program at RUSH after graduation through the Direct Entry Pathway.
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Program Length and Location
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Fast Facts: Master’s Entry in Nursing (MSN) for Non-Nurses
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Program Type:
Full-Time
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Location:
Hybrid
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Length:
2 Years
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NCLEX Pass Rate:
100%
(National Average: 86%, Illinois Average: 84%)
Our Approach
You will be exceptionally trained by experts who practice what they teach as clinicians at a top-tier academic medical center. At RUSH University Medical Center, you gain hands-on experience at a state-of-the-art facility alongside top practitioners in their fields.
We have a high faculty-to-student ratio to help ensure the skills you learn in the classroom are able to be applied in the real world. Additionally, our Nursing Learning Lab and Simulation Center help you hone your skills with patients.
You also have volunteer opportunities to expand your education beyond RUSH’s campus while assisting underserved communities.
You will be well-prepared to work at a high level in an inpatient, outpatient or community setting. And you will be poised to continue your education and pursue a doctoral degree in nursing.
The Direct Entry pathway allows you to apply to one of a select number of doctoral programs.
In addition, we’ll prepare you to successfully complete the NCLEX RN licensure exam and Clinical Nurse Leader certification. Since 2013, our students’ NCLEX pass rate has greatly exceeded the national and state averages.
Hear From Our Students
Learn about some of our recent Generalist Entry Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader students, their experiences and why they chose RUSH University.
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College of Nursing Student Profile: Kevin Hsu
Rush University College of Nursing student Kevin Hsu talks about his background, the growing number of men in nursing, and what drove him to Rush and a career in nursing.
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College of Nursing Student Profile: Hebie Prill
College of Nursing student Hebie Prill talks about changing careers, her passion for nursing and her experience at Rush.
Program Length and Location
This is a full-time program that is completed in two years. More than half of the courses in this hybrid program are either offered online or have an online option.
Classes and clinical rotations are generally held Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We will arrange all of your clinicals. Clinical practice sites include Rush University Medical Center and other health care facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area.
After graduation, you will sit for the NCLEX exam to receive your RN license before moving on to practice in the field. Or you might decide to continue your education by applying to one of our doctoral programs.
When you apply to the GEM program, you can also apply to one of a select number of doctoral program through our Direct Entry pathway program. Another option is to apply to one of our DNP or PhD programs after graduation.
Direct Entry Pathway
The Direct Entry pathway allows you to apply to a doctoral program when you apply to the Generalist Entry Master’s in Nursing for Non-Nurses: Clinical Nurse Leader program. This allows you to seamlessly transition to one of six select RUSH nursing doctoral programs after completing the GEM program.
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The following doctoral programs are included in the Direct Entry pathway:
- Adult Health and Gerontology Primary Care (DNP)
- Advanced Public Health (DNP)
- Family (DNP)
- Primary Care Pediatric (DNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health (DNP)
- Nursing Science (PhD)
Applications to the Direct Entry pathway program are completed through NursingCAS at the same time as your GEM application. You must commit to one doctoral program.
If you are accepted into the Direct Entry pathway program, you will be assigned a faculty adviser from your selected doctoral program. Your faculty adviser will help you plan the next stages of you career while you are still in the GEM program.
You must maintain good standing throughout the GEM program to retain early acceptance in the doctoral program. In addition, you must complete the following:
DNP
- GEM capstone project related to DNP specialty area (agreed upon by the student, DNP program director, and the GEM capstone faculty).
- Consistentacademic progression and fulfillment of GEM program requirements.
- Any probationary occurrence in the GEM program will lead towithdrawal of the conditional acceptance into the DNP program.
- Volunteer/Work experience in inpatient or community setting associated with DNP specialty area prior to graduating from the pre-licensure program and obtaining an RN license.
- Pass NCLEX-RN before enrolling in DNP program.
- Work experience as a RN associated with DNP specialty area prior to starting the DNP program.
PhD
- GEM capstone project related to the student’s research interest (agreed upon by student, PhD faculty mentor and the GEM capstone faculty).
- Consistent academic progression and fulfillment of GEM program requirements.
- Any probationary occurrence in the GEM program will lead to withdrawal of the conditional acceptance into the DNP program.
- Volunteer/work experience with research projects prior to graduating from the prelicensure program and obtaining an RN license.
- Pass NCLEX-RN before enrolling in PhD program.
- GEM student must spend required GEM volunteer hours working on their PhD faculty mentor’s research. This experience can also be gained through a paid research assistant position.
Other doctoral degree options
The Direct Entry pathway is a selective program with a very limited number of available spots. Students are advised to explore the option of applying to a doctoral program at RUSH after completing a prelicensure program. Individuals who successfully complete the GEM program at RUSH University are eligible to transfer up to 12 credit hours of coursework towards a doctoral program.
Program Tuition
At RUSH University, we know your education is a big investment. We want to make sure you have all the information to be able to make the best financial decisions for you and your family.
Tuition for the GEM program is $1,120 per credit hour, and the total cost for the program is $82,880.
We discourage students from working during the program because clinical hours begin early in your education. But we want to make sure your education is as affordable as possible.
In addition to financial aid, we help students attend conferences through the Dean’s Scholarship Fund.
“I have always had a passion to give back."
While studying pre-medicine, Wafaa Tali was inspired by the resiliency and playfulness of her pediatric patients. Then an experience working alongside nurse practitioners clarified her career goals – and the Direct Entry Pathway Program is helping her achieve them.
Learn more about Wafaa's journey
Career Opportunities
Your preparation as a clinical nurse leader gives you a solid foundation for building a nursing career. You will be well-positioned for success no matter what your career goal may be.
Our graduates work as registered nurses in various hospital and clinical settings, such as the following:
- Emergency department
- Intensive care unit
- Labor and delivery
- Medical-surgical unit
- Neonatal intensive care unit
- Operating room
- Orthopedics
- Palliative care unit
- Pediatric intensive care unit
Graduates have developed careers at hospitals, clinics and community settings across Chicago:
- Advocate Christ Medical Center
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Chicago Department of Public Health
- The Chicago Lighthouse
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- RUSH Oak Park Hospital
- RUSH University Medical Center
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Shriners Children’s (Chicago)
- Swedish Hospital
- UChicago Medicine
- University of Chicago Physicians Group
Our graduates are also well-represented nationally:
- Cleveland Clinic
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Mayo Clinic
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- UCLA Health
There is strong demand for clinical nurse leaders. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for registered nurses is expected to increase 6% from 2022-232 – faster than the average for all occupations.
About 193,100 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
The average salary for clinical nurse leaders is $96,797, according to salary.com.
"The most rewarding thing I’ve ever done."
After college, Akiko Moorman spent years assisting celebrity chefs in New York and running a Michelin star-rated restaurant in Chicago. A career in nursing wasn’t exactly a natural next step – but it has brought fulfillment she never imagined.
Learn more about Akiko's journey
Faculty: Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing (MSN) for Non-Nurses
Dana Anderson, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Instructor
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Tristan Banks, DNP, RN, CNL
Instructor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
Fred Brown, DNP, RN, CENP
Director, Generalist Education
Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing
Yasmin Cavenagh, DNP, MPH, RN
Assistant Professor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
Heide Cygan, DNP, RN
Director, Advanced Public Health Nursing Program & Transformative Leadership: Population Health Program
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Judith Frei, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor
Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing
Tanya Friese, DNP, RN, CNL
Assistant Professor
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Alice Geis, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Michelle K. Heyland, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Program Director, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Tricia Kierny, DNP, FNP, APRN, CNL
Clinical Instructor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
Christie Lawrence, DNP, RNC-NIC, APN/CNS
Assistant Professor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
Marcia A. Phillips, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing
Monique Reed, PhD, MS, RN, FAAN
The Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing Education
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Lynette Richter, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNL
Assistant Professor
Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing
Jennifer B. Rousseau, DNP, WHNP-BC, CNE
Associate Professor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
Katherine M. Schafer, MSN, APRN, PCNS-BC, CNL, CCRN
Instructor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
Erika M. Schwelnus, DNP, APRN, ACNP, CNL
Assistant Professor
Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing
Jen'nea Sumo, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
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Emily_Xu@rush.edu
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