IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Important Development: Effective for 2009 Admissions GEPN will refer more broadly to ALL Graduate-Entry Level programs at the University of Washington School of Nursing, including the DNP Entry program. GEPN (Graduate Entry Program) will from now on denote our graduate entry level program with four (4) exit graduate degree program options. The 4 are: GEPN-Master of Nursing (GEPN-MN) GEPN-Doctor of Nursing Practice (GEPN-DNP) GEPN-Master of Science/Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technology option (GEPN-MS)* GEPN-Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (GEPN-PhD)* All 4 degree options will include five initial quarters of RN training and preparation to take the state RN licensure (NCLEX) examination. Once the license is obtained the GEPN student will proceed on to complete the graduate degree to which he/she has been admitted. The School of Nursing is in the process of approving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to be awarded to GEPN students who have successfully completed the pre-licensure portion of the program.   *to apply to the MS or PhD program an applicant is NOT required to be a RN. If you are not interested in RN licensure you should apply directly to either the MS or the PhD program. GEPN-MS and GEPN-PhD have been created to give entry level applicants the option of RN licensure. This summer, Academic Services is in the process of re-designing and updating the Prospective Students web pages, to be ready to launch next month (August 2008). The on-line applications to apply to all GEPN degree options will be available by August 15, 2008. Applicants to all GEPN degree programs must meet a number of common admission requirements, in addition to ones specific to the degree program of choice. All GEPN students will pay the same tuition for the first 5 quarters of RN curriculum as well as other program costs. This portion of the program is fee-based and in the past has been approximately $40,000 for the 5 quarters. Tuition for 2009 in currently under negotiation but expected to be close to $50,000 for the 5 quarters. Once the GEPN student obtains RN licensure and begins the graduate degree portion of the program they pay the regular graduate tuition for their chosen degree program, MN, DNP, MS or PhD.

The Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) is a two part program aimed to serve applicants without previous nursing preparation who have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field and who wish to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The first five quarters of GEPN provide a generalist foundation in nursing and qualify the student to take the state RN licensure (NCLEX) examination. This portion of the program is intensive, requiring students to be in classes and/or clinical settings up to seven days per week, often integrated with BSN students.

Once students have satisfactorily completed the first five quarters of GEPN and taken the NCLEX, they begin regular graduate course work in one of 8 DNP specialties. This DNP portion of the program will vary in length depending on the specialty selected and the pace at which a student elects to take the course work. The DNP portion of the program requires a minimum of 3 years to complete.

The Graduate Entry Program in Nursing is a graduate program that combines the philosophy, purpose and objectives of the University of Washington School of Nursing's current BSN and DNP programs. GEPN applicants apply to the University of Washington as Doctoral students and apply to a specific Doctor of Nursing Practice specialty at time of application. Applicants have the option of specifying a first and second choice of DNP specialty at the time of application.

Students wishing to earn a Master of Science (MS) degree, which is a research oriented degree, as opposed to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which is a clinical practice degree, should not apply to GEPN but should apply directly to the MS program. The MS degree does not require RN licensure.

   Additional GEPN Information

Download (all documents in pdf format) an Information Session flyer (2 pages), a Funding Tips sheet (2 pages)

Program Philosophy
GEPN Info Session Podcast
Program Purpose and Objectives
Admission Requirements
Applications
Costs and Financial Aid
Curriculum
GEPN - Doctor of Nursing Practice specialties
Information on Advising for Prospective Students
Information Sessions
International Applicants
UW School of Nursing Diversity Statement
Vital Applicant Information