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Yale University is known as one of the top schools in the country. In addition to
an all-around reputation of excellence, Yale is also home to one of the top nursing
schools in the nation. Yale University School of Nursing (YSN) was recently ranked
as the number seven nursing school in the country by U.S. News and World Report,
tied with University of Pittsburgh, Oregon Health and Sciences University and
Duke University. Yale University was founded in 1701, with the nursing school later founded
in 1923. YSN became the first school to prepare nurses within an educational, rather
than an apprenticeship model. YSN has continued its innovation with many other advances
including the founding of the American hospice movement with Dean Florence S. Wald and
the establishment of the first "graduate entry" nursing program.
Why choose Yale University School of Nursing?
YSN is located in New Haven, Connecticut, a small city of just under 130,000 residents.
YSN is continually advancing nursing education. In the summer of 2013, the school will
move to a fully renovated educational center on the West Haven campus with customized
spaces for teaching, laboratory research and clinical simulations. There are currently
over 250 master's degree students enrolled across seven different specialties at YSN.
To facilitate learning, there are over 600 clinical and courtesy faculty that work to
precept students in the clinical setting. Students are exposed to a variety of clinical
settings, with over 500 clinical sites utilized by YSN. Students also have the unique
opportunity to work at HAVEN free clinic, a student-run health clinic that provides
care to uninsured adults, provides health education and assists patients in accessing
healthcare. Nursing students with junior or senior standing provide care to patients
under the guidance of faculty while at HAVEN clinic. It is important to attend an
accredited nursing school. YSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education. The midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for
Midwifery Education.
Admissions
Admission to YSN is very competitive. Applicants to the graduate entry pre-specialty in
nursing (GEPN) program must have a baccalaureate degree or equivalent, a personal
statement, three letters of recommendation and GRE general exam scores. Applicants
to the masters degree programs must have a baccalaureate in nursing, an active nursing
license, three letters of recommendation and have taken the GRE exam within the last
five years. Students interested in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) must hold a
Masters in Nursing degree, have taken the GRE within the last five years and submit
three letters of recommendation. Potential philosophy of science (PhD) students must
hold a baccalaureate degree, have taken the GRE with the last five years and submit
three letters of recommendation. A score of at least 500 on the verbal and quantitative
portions of the GRE is considered to be competitive, although there is no minimum score.
While not a formal requirement, nurses are encouraged to have at least one year of
clinical experience prior to applying for admission to the graduate school.
Degrees and Specializations
YSN is a graduate school only, so there is no baccalaureate degree offered. Degree
programs begin at the masters level and continue to the doctorate level. Traditional
masters degrees can be earned in an advanced practice specialty to prepare nurses to
be nurse practitioners. The nursing management, policy and leadership focus is available
as a non-clinical option. Advanced practice sub-specialties include adult, adult-gerontological,
family and women's health, nurse-midwifery, pediatric and psychiatric-mental health. YSN
has a unique GEPN program. The program is designed for students with a previous non-nursing
degree who are interested in a second career in nursing. It is a three-year full-time course
of study that allows students to obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN) and to earn
a master's degree. YSN has two doctoral degree programs, the DNP and the PhD. The PhD
program focuses on clinical research and health policies and systems research. The DNP
program was established in the fall of 2012 and is designed as a post-master's degree,
for those nurses who are already practicing clinically as advanced practice nurses and
want to expand their career horizons. Currently, the DNP program is available only as
part-time study program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Yale is a private university and charges a flat tuition rate for all students regardless
of residence status. Tuition for the masters and doctoral degree programs is $16,065 per
term. Students enrolled in the GEPN program are required to attend summer term for an
additional $12,775. Total tuition cost for the GEPN program is $134,715. Tuition cost
for the master's degree program varies by specialization, but ranges from $64,260 to
$128,520.
Financial aid is available to YSN full-time students. The majority of scholarships at
YSN are based on financial need, however, there are some awarded based on academic
merit. Other options for financial aid include loans and student employment. Financial-based
scholarships are awarded based on remaining need after federal loans. DNP students have
additional loan, scholarship, grant and work-study opportunities. PhD students receive a
full tuition waiver, a generous stipend, and health care coverage.
YSN is one of the top nursing schools in the nation. Students with no nursing experience
can take advantage of the unique GEPN program, while experienced nurses will be challenged
with the various specialization options at the master's level. With over 500 clinical sites
utilized by the school, students are sure to get a well-rounded, in-depth education in
their chosen specialty. Combined with an excellent academic reputation and rich nursing
history, YSN continues to produce exceptionally trained graduate nurses. Yale should be
a strong contender for anyone wishing to begin or advance their nursing career.
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