If you already have your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and are looking to advance your nursing career, obtaining your Master’s of Science in Nursing from Purdue University’s online MSN program may be a good move for you.
The school offers a number of different degree pathways, which means you can choose from a number of different nursing specialities to focus on. Whether you want to be an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Purdue has an option for you.
Keep reading to discover other degree pathways, and learn if Purdue’s University’s online MSN program may be a good fit for you.
Table of contents
Why Enroll in Purdue University’s Online MSN Program?
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN’s) have never been more important to the healthcare industry as they are today. In the last few years, these types of nurses have been taking on increasing responsibility in healthcare facilities.
Fortunately, Purdue University allows you to get you to gain the skills you need as an APRN while learning online and on a flexible schedule.
Some of the courses you can expect to complete in this program cover topics such as:
- Organizational theory
- Health care finance
- Health policy
- Human resources
- Information technology
- Health care systems
Learning about these topics will be critical if you hope to have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a leader in nursing and take on more advanced nursing specialties.
It’s also worth noting that graduates from this program had a pretty good average salary outcome according to GradReports. The median alumni earnings based on 877 previous students is $91,860. Meanwhile, the median debt based on 1032 alumni is $61,463.
Graduate Reviews of the MSN Program at Purdue University
Many graduates of Purdue University Global’s online MSN program have left positive reviews for the program on OnlineU. Here are a few of them:
“Great for anyone who likes to do online and work at the save time. You find your own preceptors, but i belive that is becoming more of the norm. Once I located a preceptor it was smooth sailing on the end of Purdue University Global. The only think that I would add would be a review course the entire length of the program. I would pay extra for that. I am planning to continue my education and get a doctorate with the program.”
-Necelle (July 9, 2023)
“I am beyond satisfied with my education through Purdue University Global. The instructors were amazing and were instrumental in building me up in becoming an acute care nurse practitioner. From the initial moment I contacted the school up to walking the stage has been a wonderful experience.”
Steven Mark Nelson (May 27, 2023)
“Very good program which will work with your work/life schedule. Requirements and assignments are consistent throughout the program and their online spaces are user friendly. Staff are very accommodating and the financial aid process went smoothly. Online programs can be highly dependent on the individual’s effort but this program provides a well structured environment.”
-Arturo Trevino Jr (March 9, 2023)
4 Pros of Purdue University’s Online MSN Program
There are quite a few benefits to getting your MSN through Purdue’s online program. We discuss some of the advantages below.
1. Multiple Degree Pathways
One of the best advantages of Purdue University’s Online MSN program is that there are multiple degree tracks to choose from.
They include:
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
- Family nurse practitioner, primary care
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
- Executive leader concentration
Each pathway takes an average of two years to complete and requires about 15 hours of work each week. Course terms last 10 weeks.
2. High Certification Pass Rate
While getting certifications isn’t always compulsory for nurses, there’s no denying that it’s a popular option that many nurses take advantage of. Some employers may even require one, depending on where you want to work.
Certifications can also help you stand out from the crowd when applying for positions, and they help demonstrate your expertise in different areas of nursing practice.
Fortunately, graduates from Purdue’s online MSN program appear to be well-prepared for their certification exams.
In fact, as of March 2023, the average pass rate for Nurse Practitioner students that graduated in 2021 and took a certification exam was 94.6%. These exams were taken through the:
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
3. ExcelTrack Option
Purdue University Global offers an ExcelTrack option, which allows you to get your degree in less time. While it will require more work in a shorter period of time, it can ultimately save you money as you obtain your MSN.
As long as you enroll in either the Executive Leader pathway, you can take as many courses as you like during a 10-week term for a flat rate of $3,200.
However, do keep in mind that this track is designed for highly-motivated students who already have a strong base of nursing experience and knowledge. If you match that profile, this could be the perfect money-saving option for you.
4. Accomplished Faculty
Not only is Purdue University’s online MSN program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), but they also boast high-quality instructors and faculty members.
According to their website, 98% of Purdue’s MSN faculty hold advanced degrees, and 51% hold a doctorate. Better yet, there were 395 faculty publications from 2021 to 2022.
Most importantly, their faculty keeps their skills and knowledge up to date. Purdue’s MSN faculty logged over 38,000 professional development hours from 2021 to 2022.
Cons of Purdue University’s Online MSN Program
Like any degree program, there are always bound to be some drawbacks or negative reviews.
One of the key downsides we noticed for Purdue’s Online MSN Program is that there doesn’t appear to be an RN-to-MSN option like some other schools offer.
So, if you’re an RN without a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, you’ll need to get that before you can consider enrolling in Purdue’s MSN program.
Addititonally, there is a lack of degree options for those not interested in becoming a nurse practitioner. The only non-NP pathway at this school is the executive leader concentration.
Conclusion
While you’ll need to already hold your BSN to think about getting your MSN from Purdue, this program’s flexibility and multiple degree pathways make it a good option to consider.
The high nursing certification pass rate and accomplished faculty also show just how much you stand to gain by enrolling in this program.
If you’re ready to take your nursing career, skills, and knowledge to the next level, then enroll in an MSN program today!
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
