Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program represents premiere educational pathways designed to empower nursing professionals to shape the future and transform healthcare in Kazakhstan. This 2-year (four semester) program is committed to advancing nursing science on both national and global levels. It prepares nurses to excel as clinical leaders, educators, researchers, and advocates in increasingly complex healthcare, educational, and organizational systems. This advanced education equips nurses with essential competencies and expertise to lead transformation, advocate for health, and advance the quality of care across diverse systems and populations.

Based on the principles of competency-based education, this master’s program emphasizes the development of advanced competencies related to evidence-based practice and education, the use of technology in patient care delivery, customization of care, health team and interdisciplinary leadership, communication strategies, research and quality improvement, outcome and risk assessment, and nursing education in the clinical and academic setting.

The Master of Science in Nursing program was developed by modeling the American Association of Colleges of Nursing framework for nursing education - “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education”, released in 2021. These“Essentials” create a transformative model and framework for nursing higher education using a competency-based approach. The program will nurture nursing professionals who are passionate about independent nursing scholarly work and scientific advancement by equipping them with research skills that foster a critical approach to nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice. With a strong foundation in scientific inquiry and pedagogy, the program will prepare nurse professionals to navigate complex healthcare systems and contribute to advancing patient care, education, research, and leadership.

Practice Area: Clinical Nurse Leadership (MSN-CNL)

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a master’s educated nurse, prepared for practice within any healthcare setting. As clinical care environments become more complex, the CNL master’s program prepares nurses for advanced clinical roles to address the critical need to improve the quality of patient care and patient care outcomes. The MSN-CNL program will ultimately prepare nurses for leadership roles in clinical care. CNL roles have traditionally been in acute care organizations, but this trend is changing with greater emphasis placed on coordination of care in ambulatory care settings.

The CNL is a clinical leader – at the point-of-care – who focuses on:

• Care Coordination
• Outcomes Measurement
• Transitions of Care
• Interdisciplinary Communication & Team Leadership
• Risk Assessment
• Implementation of Best Practices Based on Evidence
• Quality Improvement

The following are the aims of the Master of Science in Nursing program:

• To cultivate transformative nursing leaders with expert-level and advanced knowledge and competencies in healthcare management, policy, practice and education, empowering and enabling them to lead innovations in healthcare systems and education in Kazakhstan and internationally.
• To develop a culture of nursing academic and practice excellence by engaging students in transformational education and continuous professional development in internationally accepted best practices that will strengthen professional-level skills such as communication, leadership, professional integration, research, education, and evaluation, contributing to patient care and nursing education reform.
• To build the capacity of nurses to conduct cutting-edge nursing research and translation of research while establishing inter-professional collaborations with top researchers and institutions globally.
• To create a model of modern nursing practice and education and as a benchmark for quality healthcare services in Kazakhstan by preparing graduates to be innovation catalysts for best healthcare practices, educational approaches, and technology.

Year 1: Semester 1

Year 1: Semester 2

Year 2: Semester 1

Year 2: Semester 2

On successful completion of the program, graduates of the MSN program will be able to:

• Appraise and adapt established and evolving nursing science and knowledge within other disciplines to continually improve nursing care across diverse settings.
• Formulate evidence-based, individualized person-centered care strategies at an advanced level to guide holistic nursing practice within the scope of practice across diverse populations.
• Design collaborative, evidence-based population health strategies, care and preventative services that are comprehensive, client-centered, and culturally responsive to individuals, families, and identified populations.
• Integrate expert advanced-level nursing scholarship and relevant sciences into nursing practice to advance health care delivery and outcomes for individuals, populations, and/or systems.
• Critically evaluate and adapt safety and improvement science and principles, quality methods, tools, performance measures, and standards within an organization to enhance quality and safety and to minimize harm to patients and providers.
• Develop inter- and intraprofessional collaboration and communication competence as a team member or leader in managing and coordinating care.
• Critically appraise and adapt systems-based practice, policy development processes, advocacy strategies, leadership principles, and evidence-based methodologies to solve system-level problems and to deliver care that is proactive, safe, high-quality, cost-effective, ethical, respectful and person-centered at an advanced level within complex healthcare systems.
• Design and evaluate emerging informatics processes and healthcare technologies to gather, analyze, and interpret data that drives decision making to enhance patient care coordination and nursing practice.
• Cultivate a sustainable professional nursing identity that demonstrates professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and comportment that reflects nursing’s characteristics and ethical values.
• Model advanced leadership and professional development through participation in professional nursing activities that contribute to lifelong learning.

Graduates of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program have access to a wide range of career opportunities. The specific paths depend on their specialization, interests, and professional goals:

Clinical Roles

• Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – Leading and coordinating care at the point of care.
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) – Providing primary or specialty care, depending on focus area (e.g., Family, Pediatric, Adult-Gerontology, Psychiatric-Mental Health).
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Offering expert clinical guidance and leadership in a specific specialty area.

Administrative and Leadership Roles

• Nursing Administrator/Manager – Managing nursing staff and healthcare teams.
• Director of Nursing – Overseeing nursing departments or healthcare organizations.
• Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Leading nursing strategy and operations at an organizational level.
• Healthcare Consultant – Advising organizations on clinical practices, policy, or operational improvements.

Education and Academia

• Nursing Educator/ Professor – Teaching and mentoring nursing students in academic or clinical settings.
• Director of Nursing Education – Leading college or school of nursing in educating future nurses.
• Academic Researcher – Conducting studies to advance nursing science and healthcare practices.
• Program Developer – Designing nursing curricula or educational programs.

Policy and Advocacy

• Health Policy Analyst – Developing or analyzing healthcare policies to improve public health.
• Advocacy Specialist – Representing the nursing profession in legislative or organizational settings.
• Public Health Nurse Leader – Managing public health initiatives and education programs.

Specialized Roles

• Informatics Nurse Specialist – Integrating nursing science with IT to improve patient outcomes.
• Quality Improvement Specialist – Leading efforts to enhance care quality and patient safety.
• Occupational Health Nurse – Providing care and preventive health services in workplace settings.
• Case Manager – Coordinating care for patients with complex health needs.

Advanced Research and Innovation

• Nurse Researcher – Leading and organizing research activities that advance nursing and health in general.
• Clinical Research Coordinator – Leading research studies in clinical settings.

A. Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Applicants who can Speak the Kazakh or Russian Language

1. Complete application form
2. Scanned copy of a valid national ID for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan or scanned copy of a valid passport for international applicants.
3. Scanned copy of official document confirming name changes (if applicable). This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English.
4. Official Diploma and Transcript of Record for an academic bachelor’s degree in nursing (or equivalent). Final year students may submit the current transcript for consideration. Minimum CGPA 2.50 out of 4.00 (or equivalent).
5. Evidence of eligibility to practice nursing in Kazakhstan or in country of origin (i.e., Certificate of Specialist in Nursing or active nursing license). This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English. This requirement is not applicable for Kazakh nationals graduated from a medical doctor program (or equivalent).
6. For applicants graduated from a medical doctor program (or equivalent), official confirmation of at least 1 (one) year experience in any area of practice in nursing (i.e., teaching in a nursing program or working as a nurse in a hospital) is required.
7. A personal statement of purpose for Program graduate studies, including a potential research problem in the intended practice area. This document can be in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
8. Two official letters of reference in Kazakh, Russian, or English. One letter must be from the employer of the applicant.
9. 075у medical certificate (for Kazakhstani applicants) or a similar medical certificate with indication of general health (for international applicants). This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English.
10.  A document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record. This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English.
11.  Consent of the applicant/student to the processing of personal data.

B. Foreign Citizens or stateless individuals who do not speak the Kazakh or Russian language

1. Complete application form
2. Scanned copy of valid passport.
3. Scanned copy of official document confirming name changes (if applicable).
4. Official Diploma and Transcript of Record for an academic bachelor’s degree in nursing (or equivalent). Final year students may submit the current transcript for consideration. Minimum CGPA 2.50 out of 4.00 (or equivalent).
5. Test certificates of IELTS or TOEFL (Electronic version from a test administrator with the obligation to submit a scanned copy or electronic copy (if not exempted). An overall IELTS test score of 6.0 or higher (with no sub-score less than 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other sections) or the equivalent TOEFL score (except home edition) as posted on the ETS website.
6. Official confirmation about the language of instructions (if applicable)
7. Evidence of eligibility to practice nursing in their country of origin (i.e., Certificate of Specialist in Nursing, active nursing license)
8. A personal statement in English of purpose for Program graduate studies, including a potential research problem in the intended practice area.
9. Two official letters of reference in English.
10. Medical certificate with indication of general health.
11. A document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record.
12. Consent of the applicant/student to the processing of personal data.

The final recommendation of the MSN Admission Committee for admission into the MSN program will be based on a holistic consideration of all the areas indicated above. Selected applicants will be invited for personal interviews with the MSN Admission Committee members in person or online.

Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Applicants who can Speak the Kazakh or Russian Language

• Complete application form
• Scanned copy of a valid national ID for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan or scanned copy of a valid passport for international applicants.
• Scanned copy of official document confirming name changes (if applicable). This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English.
• Official Diploma and Transcript of Record for an academic bachelor’s degree in nursing (or equivalent). Final year students may submit the current transcript for consideration.
• Evidence of eligibility to practice nursing in Kazakhstan or in country of origin (i.e., Certificate of Specialist in Nursing or active nursing license). This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English. This requirement is not applicable for Kazakh nationals graduated from a medical doctor program (or equivalent).
• For applicants graduated from a medical doctor program (or equivalent), official confirmation of at least 1 (one) year experience in any area of practice in nursing (i.e., teaching in a nursing program or working as a nurse in a hospital) is required.
• A personal statement of purpose for MSN graduate studies, including a potential research problem in the intended practice area. This document can be in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
• Two official letters of reference in Kazakh, Russian, or English. One letter must be from the employer of the applicant.
• 075у medical certificate (for Kazakhstani applicants) or a similar medical certificate with indication of general health (for international applicants). This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English.
• A document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record. This document can be in Kazakh, Russian or English.
• Consent of the applicant/student to the processing of personal data.
• The Admissions Committee and/or Admissions Office may request additional documents when necessary.

Foreign citizens or stateless individuals who do not speak the Kazakh or Russian language

• Complete application form
• Scanned copy of valid passport.
• Scanned copy of official document confirming name changes (if applicable).
• Official Diploma and Transcript of Record for an academic bachelor’s degree in nursing (or equivalent). Final year students may submit the current transcript for consideration.
• Test certificates of IELTS or TOEFL (Electronic version from a test administrator with the obligation to submit a scanned copy or electronic copy (if not exempted). In cases where it is not possible to provide IELTS or TOEFL scores through a test administrator, verification may be conducted using digital credentials from services recognized by the Admissions Office.)
• Official confirmation about the language of instructions (if applicable)
• Evidence of eligibility to practice nursing in their country of origin (i.e., Certificate of Specialist in Nursing, active nursing license)
• A personal statement in English of purpose for MSN graduate studies, including a potential research problem in the intended practice area.
• Two official letters of reference in English.
• Medical certificate with indication of general health.
• A document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record.
• Consent of the applicant/student to the processing of personal data.
• The Admissions Committee and/or Admissions Office may request additional documents when necessary.

The tuition fee for Master of Science in Nursing is $6,000 per one academic year for both local and international students.

To learn more about tuition fees, please contact us at bursars_office@nu.edu.kz.

Selection process:

• Applications are considered to be complete upon their online submission. All electronic copies of the required documents must be uploaded to “Personal Account”.
• Applicants are responsible for ensuring the receipt of all required documents by the Admissions Department. Application documents are not subject to be returned.
• Nazarbayev University expects applicants to meet the minimum admission criteria but we do not guarantee admission to any applicant. The NU Admissions Committees make decisions on applicants based on a thorough evaluation of submitted applications, required documents, and test scores.
• The applicants with the highest-ranking scores are offered admission. Once a decision is made by the Admissions Committee, the Admissions Department will notify the applicants via email. The applicants can check the status of their applications in their NU personal accounts.
• All registered candidates can check the status of their application in the Personal account. Description of the status below is presented in the order of assignment to the candidate in the Personal account.

Application in processing. This is interim status, which means that the application is being processed. Admissions Committee will evaluate the application and inform the candidate on further steps/stages. Notification on final results will be sent to your email address.

Does not meet entry requirements. The status is assigned to the candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. It is given after checking the application forms and the documents by the Admissions Department.

Disqualified. The status is assigned to candidates who are disqualified for gross violations of the conditions of the competition. For example, provided deliberately false information.

Rejected by Admissions Committee. At one of the competition stages, the Admissions Committee decided to reject the candidate’s application.

Pending. Candidate’s application is pending.

Waiting list. The Admissions Committee has finished reviewing the candidate’s application and made a decision to put you on a waiting list. Such candidates should expect notification from the University, as there is a possibility that if other candidates reject to study, they may be sent an invitation letter to study.

Recommended for admission to program. Admissions Committee has decided to recommend candidate for the program without going through the Year of Graduate programs.

Recommended for conditional admission. The Admissions Committee has decided to recommend a candidate for the conditional admission with a requirement to fulfill the condition by the deadline specified in the notification.

Withdrawn. Candidate decided to withdraw from the competition.

Accepted Program admission offer. The status is assigned to candidates who received offer letter, signed Enrollment confirmation form and fulfilled all the сonditions of the University indicated in the offer letter.

Refused admission offer. The candidate was recommended for admission, but refused to study.

Refused in favor of another NU program. The status is applicable for those candidates, who applied for several graduate programs at NU. The status is assigned when the candidate chooses another program.

Deferred. The status is assigned to candidates who were accepted for the program, but decided to postpone their studies until the next year.

Did not submit the documents/Refused. The status assigned to candidates who did not provide originals of the documents by the stated deadline, which means that the candidate refuses to study at University.

Did not come to Orientation week/Refused. The status is assigned to candidates who accepted the offer letter, provided hard copies of documents, but did not participate in Orientation week. The vacant place, if available, can be offered to the candidates in the Waiting list.

Enrolled to program. The status is assigned to candidates who enrolled to the main program by the Decision of the Provost. Candidate officially became a student.