U.S. News Ranks GU in Top 20 among Best Online Nursing Programs

College Hall
College Hall, aerial view (GU photo)
January 28, 2021
Gonzaga News Service

SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga University is ranked the 16th best online master of science in nursing (MSN) administration program by U.S. News and World Report in its 2021 online education program rankings released this week.

View Gonzaga’s online nursing rankings at: https://bit.ly/3a9GRpx.  

“We are thrilled to be recognized with other top nursing administration programs at the MSN level. Our innovative Nursing Leadership in Healthcare (NLH) track is designed to provide aspiring and current nursing leaders the expertise needed to respond to the complex challenges of today’s evolving healthcare system,” said Vincent Salyers, Ed.D., registered nurse, and dean of the School of Nursing and Human Physiology. “This ranking is a testimony of our stellar and transformative learning experiences for our graduate students and bears witness to our earnest desire to make a difference in the health and well-being of our communities, global to local.”  

Jennifer Garrity, RNC-OB, director of MSN-Nursing Leadership in Healthcare, noted:

“Graduates from our program are working at all levels of nursing leadership throughout the region from performing regulatory work with the Washington Department of Health Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to teaching at institutions of higher education, in addition to leadership in inpatient, outpatient and public health organizations.”

All of Gonzaga’s MSN programs are grounded in Jesuit and nursing values. The MSN programs emphasize leadership, the integration of theoretical concepts from nursing and related disciplines, and the application of these theories to practice. Both role development and preparation in a specialty area are emphasized. All programs build on the themes of leadership, social justice, community, and reflective practice. Students engage in weekly online discussions with classmates & faculty in most courses.

The rankings use the following methodology:

  • Engagement with fellow students and in clinical settings (30%).
  • Faculty Credentials and Training (20%).
  • Expert Opinion of high-ranking academic officials in nursing (20%).
  • Services and Technologies providing student support structures (20%).
  • Student Excellence (10%).

Gonzaga’s School of Nursing & Human Physiology prepares students to be nursing administrators and leaders; students learn how to oversee departments in hospitals and work at the executive level. Nurse administrators supervise other nurses, hire new nurses and ensure patients are given excellent care.

Gonzaga offers the following tracks in its MSN degree program:

For more information, please contact Jennifer Garrity, director of MSN-Nursing Leadership in Healthcare, at (509) 313-5120 or garrityj@gonzaga.edu.