Master of Science in Nursing

Courses integrate advanced clinical knowledge with Christ-centered reflection. Key topics include:

• Advanced pathophysiology & diagnostic reasoning
• Advanced pharmacology & clinical judgment
• Advanced health assessment & promoting well-being
• Primary care across the lifespan: pediatrics, adult care, women’s health, and geriatrics
• Curriculum development and teaching methods (preparing graduates for potential educator roles)
• Evidence-based practice, health systems, and quality improvement

Students complete 750 supervised clinical hours in their geographic region across four population groups:

• Children
• Adults
• Women’s health
• Elderly

Students identify preferred clinical sites and preceptors, and Dordt collaborates to verify qualifications, secure agreements, and ensure consistency with program outcomes.

View licensure information for your professional program. Visit your respective state to identify application costs.

NURS 501: Advanced Practice Integration (1 credit) 
This course examines nursing theory and the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) within a Christian worldview. Students explore leadership, health care outcomes, discipleship, and legal and regulatory responsibilities in health promotion and disease prevention.

NURS 502: Curriculum Development and Nursing Education (2 credits) 
This course explores curriculum development, instructional design, and program evaluation. Students examine curriculum planning, accreditation standards, and competency-based learning to prepare for educator roles in academic and clinical settings.

NURS 503: Teaching Methods in Nursing Education (2 credits) 
This course develops advanced nurses’ teaching skills in preparation for educational leadership and kingdom service. Students explore instructional strategies, including active learning, simulation, case-based learning, and technology integration, to engage diverse learners.

NURS 511 & 512: Advanced Pathophysiology & Diagnostic Reasoning I & II (3 credits each) 
This two-course sequence examines abnormal functioning of cells, tissues, and organ systems, including age-related variations and environmental, genetic, nutritional, and cultural influences. Students apply evidence-based practice and current research to holistic assessment, clinical decision-making, and management of major body systems.

NURS 513 & 514: Advanced Pharmacology & Clinical Judgement I & II (3 credits each) 
This two-course sequence explores medication mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and safe prescribing practices. Students apply pharmacological knowledge and clinical judgment in their clinical practicum.

NURS 515: Advanced Health Assessment & Promoting Well-Being (3 credits) 
This course develops advanced physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning through laboratory and simulation experiences.

NURS 615: Advanced Concepts in the Care of Children (6 credits) 
This course prepares APRNs to provide comprehensive care to infants, children, and adolescents, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management. Students integrate advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through evidence-based clinical reasoning, supervised outpatient practicum, laboratory work, and simulation.

NURS 616: Advanced Concepts in the Care of Adults (6 credits) 
This course prepares APRNs to provide comprehensive adult care, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management. Students integrate advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through evidence-based clinical reasoning, supervised outpatient practicum, laboratory work, and simulation.

NURS 617: Advanced Concepts in the Care of Women’s Health (6 credits) 
This course prepares APRNs to provide comprehensive women’s health care, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management. Students integrate advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through evidence-based clinical reasoning, supervised clinical practicum, laboratory work, and simulation.

NURS 618: Advanced Concepts in the Care of Elderly (6 credits) 
This course prepares APRNs to provide comprehensive care for older adults, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management. Students integrate advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through evidence-based clinical reasoning, supervised outpatient primary care practicum, laboratory work, and simulation.

NURS 623: Practice Inquiry & Scholarship Literacy (2 credits) 
This course introduces the scholarly inquiry project and develops skills in nursing practice inquiry and scholarship. Students identify gaps in nursing and health care knowledge and plan, implement, and evaluate practice changes informed by Christ-centered renewal.

NURS 624: Transformative Practice Capstone (2 credits) 
This course guides students in completing and presenting a scholarly inquiry project that demonstrates advanced nursing practice and scholarship. Students disseminate their findings to promote meaningful change as kingdom citizens.

NURS 625: Comprehensive Directed Study (0.5 credits)
This course prepares students for certification examinations through strengths and weaknesses analysis, individualized study plans, and targeted practice and remediation. Commercial resources support focused preparation and personalized study schedules.

For more information, please see the course catalog.

• Graduate Courses: $625 / credit
• One-time Technology Fee: $200

Dordt strives to make graduate education accessible. Federal student loans are available for eligible students through the FAFSA process. For assistance, contact:

Financial Aid Office 
712-722-6082 
Financial Student Aid
Dordt University Federal ID: 001859 
 

Applicants must hold:

• A baccalaureate degree (BSN preferred) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• At least one year of full-time RN experience or 1,000 hours of bedside practice
• An unencumbered U.S. RN license
• A completed background check and two professional references

International students must also hold an unencumbered U.S. RN license and complete all clinical hours in the U.S.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must have an adequate command of English as demonstrated by their performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

• Institutional code is 6171 and the department code is 3101.

To apply for admission, students will need to:

1. Fill out the online application
2. Send in all official transcripts (including undergraduate and graduate)
3. Submit information for two professional references on the application.
4. A completed background check

*If you have had a name change since you graduated, please contact your institution to update the information before requesting a transcript be sent.

Materials can be mailed to:

Dordt University
Graduate Studies Office
700 7th Street NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250

The program requires 48.5 graduate credits in total.

Yes, coursework is delivered primarily online in an asynchronous format. Faculty may hold occasional live cohort sessions via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Clinical hours will be in-person, in area communities.

Yes. Students complete 750 clinical hours with approved preceptors in their home communities, supported by Dordt’s faculty and administrative team.

Applicants must hold:

• A baccalaureate degree (BSN preferred) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• At least one year of full-time RN experience or 1,000 hours of bedside practice
• An unencumbered U.S. RN license
• A completed background check and two professional references

International students must also hold an unencumbered U.S. RN license and complete all clinical hours in the U.S.

• Flexibility to practice in a variety of healthcare settings and serve patients across the lifespan
• Family Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in many areas:
  • Improving access to healthcare
  • Providing preventive care 
  • Diagnosing and treating illnesses 
  • Managing chronic conditions 
  • Promoting overall wellness in communities of all sizes
• May also pursue roles in nursing education or obtain additional specialty certifications

Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses trained in the nursing model with a focus on whole-person care, while Physician Assistants are trained in the medical model alongside physicians. Both diagnose, treat, and prescribe, but NPs in many states can practice independently, while PAs typically practice under physician collaboration.

Depending on your interests, experience, and career goals, Family Nurse Practitioners may work in:

• Primary Care Clinics – Providing comprehensive healthcare for children, adults, and older adults, including wellness exams, preventive care, chronic disease management, and treatment of common illnesses.
• Rural Health Clinics – Expanding access to quality healthcare in underserved and rural communities where primary care providers are in high demand.
• Urgent Care Centers – Diagnosing and treating acute illnesses and injuries that require prompt medical attention but are not life-threatening emergencies.
• Community Health Centers – Serving diverse patient populations and addressing healthcare needs through accessible, patient-centered care.
• Occupational Health Settings – Supporting employee wellness, workplace injury prevention, health screenings, and return-to-work programs.
• College and University Health Services – Providing healthcare, preventive services, and health education to students on campus.
• Specialty Clinics – Collaborating with healthcare teams in areas such as cardiology, endocrinology, orthopedics, women's health, ear, nose, and throat, and other specialty practices.
• Telehealth and Virtual Care – Delivering convenient, high-quality healthcare services remotely through technology and virtual patient visits.