Grad Nursing Common Questions

For the most up to date deadlines visit the program of interest page below:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Post Graduate Certificates

Post-Graduate Certificate students start into their clinical rotations immediately upon starting the program. The application deadlines are far in advance because clinical placement requests are due up to four months before the first term.

Due to regulatory requirements in the states listed below, we are unable to accept or enroll students who intend to reside in any of these states while pursuing a graduate nursing degree:

• Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Tennessee.

DNP students residing in the state of Washington or intending to pursue clinicals in that state may only enroll in the following DNP tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Applications for all terms within an admissions cycle will open based on the NursingCAS cycle. To learn more about whether your application is available, please visit NursingCAS. 

We recommend applying early to ensure that we receive all application materials prior to the deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note: With NursingCAS, there is about a week turnaround time between when your application is completed through their system, and when it is sent to us. Keep this in mind when applying close to the deadlines.

The personal statement should be 2-3 pages in length (double-spaced) and include the following:

• What are your reasons for selecting Creighton University and why you are considering your specific track? (Peds, Family, Neonatal, Psych, Adult Acute, Education, Leadership, etc.)
• Describe your future professional goals related to leadership and/or evidence-based practice.
• Discuss how you envision your advanced nursing education will prepare you to reduce health disparities, promote cultural awareness, or engage in population-focused health promotion activities.
• If applicable, provide a rationale for any of the following discrepancies on your transcripts. Part of this rationale should provide an explanation of what has changed to promote success in this program.
  • Grades that are lower than a C
  • Courses with a W (withdrawals)
  • Other considerations (extended leaves, previous enrollment in professional programs, misconducts, dismissals)

You are required to submit three letters of recommendation. Your references must come from the following:

• One must be from a nursing employer/supervisor. If you have never been employed, a recommendation from a clinical instructor or preceptor in your nursing program is required.
• The other two forms may be from another instructor, another employer, or a professional colleague.
• If you’re applying during your last semester of your BSN, one recommendation should be from a recent clinical instructor and/or preceptor.

No. We are able to access those transcripts for you, however, any non-Creighton transcripts that you previously submitted to Creighton for your previous degree may need to be resent.

Creighton University requires official transcripts from all institutions attended for your application to be reviewed.

This requirement includes transcripts where coursework was later transferred to another institution, transcripts reflecting college credit earned during high school, and all community college coursework. If you attended an accredited institution outside of the United States, any coursework must be evaluated course-by-course by a NACES-approved credentialing agency. 

Official transcripts may be sent electronically or in paper copy to the addresses below. Creighton University transcripts will be requested on your behalf upon application submission.

• ​EnrollmentServices@creighton.edu 
  Enrollment Services
  Creighton University
  2500 California Plaza
  Omaha, NE 68178

If your transcripts were previously sent to CAS, you do not need to send additional transcripts directly to Creighton unless requested.

For the most up to date deadlines visit the program of interest page below:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Post Graduate Certificates

Coursework for the graduate nursing programs is offered online. Students are required to travel to our campus in Omaha, Nebraska during the program. The amount of campus visits will vary depending on the program and track. For more detailed information, please contact a nursing enrollment specialist at nursing@creighton.edu

Students are responsible for finding their own preceptors. For specific questions about preceptors and hours required, please contact a nursing enrollment specialist at nursing@creighton.edu.

The graduate programs are financial aid eligible. Students can complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to qualify for federal aid. The College of Nursing offers endowed scholarships for current students, but does not award scholarships upon acceptance into the program. You are welcome to contact Creighton’s Financial Aid Office with further questions at 402.280.2731 or gpfinaid@creighton.edu

Transfer credit hours will be evaluated on an individual basis once a student is admitted. A maximum of 9 semester hours can be accepted.

We require at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.

We require at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA with all previous college credit. Due to the academic rigor of the program and the competitiveness of the applicant pool, it is rare to be admitted with a GPA below the 3.0 mark. The admissions committee will review all complete applications and weigh acceptance on all aspects of the application. This includes your, GPA, pre-requisite grades, personal statement and recommendation forms. Having below a 3.0 can be grounds for denial.

Professional nursing work experience is required prior to first clinical course, please see below for details.

• Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Nursing Education and Nursing Administration and Leadership– minimum 2,000 hours of professional nursing experience in direct patient care
• Psychiatric Mental Health Across the Lifespan NP – minimum 2,000 hours of direct patient care nursing experience in psychiatrics
• Neonatal NP – minimum 4,000 hours of direct patient care nursing experience in a level III or level IV NICU
• Pediatric Acute and Primary Care NP – minimum 2,000 hours direct patient care nursing experience in pediatrics

Due to the specific features and requirements of these programs, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your admissions advisor.

No, we do not require the GRE.

If you have received or plan to receive a baccalaureate degree from Creighton University College of Nursing within 12 months of starting a graduate nursing program, please contact your admissions advisor for further information on the application process and requirements.

MSN, BSN to DNP

• Undergraduate-Level Statistics and a Physical Assessment or Health Assessment Course with a C (2.0) or higher.

Post-Graduate DNP, DNP Plus

• Graduate-level statistics course with a C (2.0) or higher.

MSN, BSN to DNP

• Pre-requisite courses need to be completed prior to the application deadline.

Post-Graduate DNP, DNP Plus

• If students do not have a Graduate-level Statistics course completed before they apply, they will need to take the course at Creighton during the program.

No, we do not have a time-limit for the pre-requisite coursework.

Pre-requisites can be taken through any accredited institution and must meet our semester hour requirements. Courses can be taken online or in person. If you have questions about specific courses we can accept, please email nursing@creighton.edu.

You need to have a C (2.0) or higher for each prerequisite course.

AP credit can be accepted for the undergraduate statistics requirement. In order to accept AP credit as a pre-requisite, the test has to be listed on an official transcript as a transfer credit for that course. If it is not listed, we will need a letter from the institution stating that the AP exam was accepted as credit for the course.

In order to accept a course that is listed as “P” we have to prove that the lowest possible grade to receive a “P” is a C (2.0) or higher. If it is a C- (1.67) or lower, we cannot accept courses listed as “P”.