School of Nursing

Welcome to the School of Nursing at UNLV. Our nursing program is the oldest in southern Nevada and the only one in Nevada to offer a Ph.D. program. All of our graduate programs are web-based to allow for “anytime, anyplace” education, but may involve occasional visits to campus.

In our Master of Science program, there are currently three tracks, the Family Nurse Practitioner Track, the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and the Nurse Educator Track. We also offer post-masters certificates in these areas. Family Nurse Practitioners provide primary care for individuals across the lifespan and many provide care to the indigent and uninsured populations. Pediatric Nurse Practitioners provide care to children from birth through young adult in pediatric primary health care including well child care and prevention/management of common pediatric acute illnesses and chronic conditions. The Nurse Educator program prepares nursing students to teach nursing. This provides more qualified faculty so that all of the area nursing schools may increase their enrollment. The MS program is growing rapidly because of the great need for advanced practice nurses and nurse educators in Nevada. The master’s program has full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).  The Master of Science in Nursing graduate program is designed to provide students pursuing a career in nursing the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities requisite to the safe, effective and efficient practice of nursing.

The School of Nursing also offers a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) for both post-bachelor’s degree and post-master’s degree students. This program is also on-line, but requires occasional trips to campus for orientation, skills training and testing. The DNP degree is a terminal professional practice degree and prepares graduates for advanced clinical practice and leadership roles to serve the health care needs of the people of Nevada, the nation, and the professional community.  The DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

We also offer an on line Ph.D. in Nursing program. This program is research-focused and will help meet the need for more highly qualified faculty in Nevada and the surrounding states. If you are considering becoming a doctorally prepared nurse educator scholar, this web-based program will meet your needs. You will be educated to advance the scientific discipline through research, innovation in the classroom, and dynamic leadership. We are rapidly expanding our research activities and have a number of well-funded graduate assistant positions available for full time students. In this role, graduate students work closely with faculty on their research, or  teach undergraduate classes, or supervise students in the clinical setting. It is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your education.

Finally, we have recently opened an Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD, in collaboration with Kinesiology, Nutrition, Health Physics, and Physical Therapy. This program is focused on biobehavioral issues and prepares advanced nurses to work collaboratively with other health care professionals to advance education and research.

I encourage you to read the catalog and explore our website to find out more about all of these programs and to visit us when you are in the Las Vegas area.

 Carolyn Yucha, Ph.D., RN, CNE, Dean
Jillian Inouye, Ph.D., RN, Associate Dean for Research
Rebecca Benfield, Ph.D., C.N.M, R.N., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Mary Bondmass, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., Associate Dean for FacultyAffairs

Program Information 

School of Nursing Faculty  

School of Nursing Courses  

School of Nursing Website 

Plans

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner  

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education  

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner  

Master of Science - Nursing  

Doctor of Nursing Practice   

Doctor of Philosophy - Nursing   

Doctor of Philosophy - Interdisciplinary Health Sciences