Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University, a private, non-profit, Catholic institution, was founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for students that seek initial preparation and licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Graduate

Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Tracks

Family Nurse Practitioner - FNP

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - PMHNP

Health Systems Leadership - HSL

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

• BSN from a regionally accredited institution
• Students with a Bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing may need to take up to four foundational nursing courses before completing graduate-level courses
• Unencumbered RN license from CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program
• For GPA below 3.0, may still apply but must provide GPA explanation and submit GRE or MAT scores from the last 5 years
• Skype interview may be requested

Currently, Gonzaga is only accepting into the PMHNP and FNP track, students from the following states: WA, ID, OR, MT, CA, NV, UT, AK, WY, and AZ.

Online RN to MSN

Tracks

Clinical Manager

Medical Director

Director or Nursing

Health Director

Care Management Coordinator

Application Requirements (not all inclusive)

• ADN from an accredited program
• Official transcript from each college or university attended
• Cumulative GPA below a 3.0 must include an explanation
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• MAT or GRE waived for 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher 
• Current, unencumbered RN license
• Current resume or CV

Online Second Master's Degree

The online Second Master's Degree in Nursing is for students that are RNs, hold a Master's Degree in Nursing from an accredited program, and would like additional specialties.

Tracks

Family Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

There are restrictions for states. The program only accepts into the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Track students from the following states WA, ID, OR, MT, CA, NV, UT, AK, WY, and AZ.

Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post Baccalaureate

Tracks

Family Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

• Bachelor's degree from regionally accredited institution
• Unencumbered RN license from a CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program
• Students holding RN license with a non-BSN degree may need to take up to 4 foundational nursing courses before completing graduate-level courses
• Phone interview may be requested

State restrictions apply. The university is only accepting into the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Options, students from the following states: WA, ID, OR, MT, CA, NV, UT, AK, WY, and AZ

Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post Masters

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

• MSN from a program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN or
• Graduate nurse anesthesia degree from a program accredited by the COA or
• Graduate nurse-midwifery degree from a program accredited by the ACME
• A master's degree in Nursing Education does not meet the eligibility requirements for this program
• 3.3 Cumulative GPA from master's-level nursing courses
• Documentation of an Evidence Based Practice (EBP) course
• 3-credit graduate-level inferential statistics or biostatistics course within past 5 years w/earned grade 'B' or better
• Interview via phone or Skype may be requested

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is specifically designed for RNs that hold a bachelor's degree. The program is a practice doctorate, not a research doctorate. It is a 36-month (9 semester) full-time program with a two-week break during Summer. Classes meet at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center with occasional classes on campus at Gonzaga. DNAP 740 is online and taken during the fifth semester.

The DNAP program is located in Gonzaga's School of Nursing and Human Physiology as well as the School of Anesthesia at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. 

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital as well as three local and regional affiliations provide all advanced clinical, basic science, and anesthesia practice instruction.

Admission (not all inclusive)

• Unencumbered, unrestricted RN license and/or an APRN/ARNP in the United States or its territories or protectorates and be able to obtain a Washington and Idaho State RN license
• A BSN or MSN (or an appropriate major) from an accredited university
• 7 life science courses
• 2 years of RN experience w/minimum 1-year full-time work experience (or its part-time equivalent) as an RN in a critical care setting (ideal experience is in the ICU, CICU, MICU, or SICU)
• Competencies desired include: Routine management of adult patients on ventilators, Interpreting advanced monitoring techniques, Titration of vasoactive medications
• Critical care experience must be within the past 2 years
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (3.2 preferred); overall GPA with strong science grades
• Personal interviews with members of the admissions committee (by invitation only)
• CCRN certification

Accreditation

Gonzaga University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited the Nurse Anesthesia program.

Accolades, Rankings

US News & World Report (2019-2020)

• # 4 in Regional Universities West
• # 3 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• # 6 in Best Value Schools
• # 7 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
• # 93 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
• # 142 Best Nursing Schools:  Doctor of Nursing Practice
• # 141 (tie) Best Nursing Schools:  Master's
• # 18 (tie) Graduate Nursing-Anesthesia

NICHE (2019)

• Best Catholic Colleges in America #19
• Best Value Colleges in America #95
• Best Colleges for Nursing in America #109
• Top Private Universities in America #145
• Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #159 
• Best College Campuses in America #221
• Best Colleges in America #223
• Most Liberal Colleges in America #240
• Best College Dorms in America #323
• Best College Food in America #326
• Colleges with the Best Academics in America #346
• Colleges with the Best Professors in America #679
• Best College Locations in America #748
• Most Diverse Colleges in America #962
• Best Value Colleges in Washington #1
• Best Catholic Colleges in Washington #1
• Top Private Universities in Washington #2
• Best Colleges for Nursing in Washington #2
• Best Colleges in Washington #4
• Colleges with the Best Student Life in Washington #4
• Colleges with the Best Academics in Washington #6
• Best College Campuses in Washington #6
• Best College Dorms in Washington #6
• Best College Food in Washington #8
• Most Liberal Colleges in Washington #8
• Colleges with the Best Professors in Washington #14
• Most Diverse Colleges in Washington #23
• Best College Locations in Washington #31
• Best Value Colleges in Spokane Area #1

Forbes (2018)

• #154 Top Colleges
• #110 in Private Colleges
• #31 in the West
• #291 America's Best Value Colleges

College Factual ranked the university #17 in the Best Colleges for the Money in Washington.