Direct Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP)
Master's Entry to Nursing Practice programs (MENPs) are designed for students without any nursing education or experience who have completed their bachelor's degree in another subject. Also known as direct-entry master's programs, MENPs prepare students to enter the nursing profession without first earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These challenging programs combine the curriculum of BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs and generally take around three years to complete, saving students the time and cost of two programs. Upon graduation, nurses are prepared for advanced-practice nursing careers in research, leadership and patient care. Below is a full listing of master's entry nursing programs, as well as tips on how to choose the right program for you.
Choosing a Master's Entry to Nursing Practice Program
With a large number of direct entry MSN programs to choose from, selecting the right school can be a challenge. In order to make that decision easier, we have outlined a few factors to consider when researching schools. Keep these program elements in mind to make choosing the right school a simpler decision.
- Program Accreditation: Your first step when considering an MENP school is finding out whether the program is properly accredited. Program accreditation by an organization such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) ensures the program has been evaluated according to strict quality standards. A program that has been properly accredited will provide you with a high quality nursing education that will prepare you for the next step in your career.
- On Campus vs. Distance Learning: MSN-level nursing programs may be offered in fully online or traditional on campus formats, and even in hybrid formats that combine online coursework with face-to-face learning. Online, or "distance learning" programs, may be particularly attractive for students who are working or caring for family members while completing their degree because classwork can often be completed on your own schedule.
- Curriculum: When researching a school, review the sample curriculum to make sure the course subjects cover what you are hoping to learn for the next step in your career. Typical courses for a master's entry nursing program include pharmacology, physiology, healthcare policy, advance care nursing principles, nursing leadership skills, as well as clinical practice hours.
- Time Commitment: Most direct entry MSN degrees take around 3 years to complete. However, the exact timing can vary from school to school. For example, a program may be completed in more or less time if classes are taken on a full- or part-time basis, or if a distance learning format allows you to complete coursework at your own pace.
- Program Cost: Tuition for a master's entry nursing program varies from school to school, based on factors such as geographic location, online versus classroom format, a student's residency status and the type of school. Before you choose a school, make sure you have calculated the full cost of the program, including tuition, mandatory fees, materials costs and housing and/or the cost of commuting.
Online Master's Entry to Nursing Practice Programs
Online master's entry nursing programs provide students with several advantages, most notably the flexibility to complete coursework whenever and wherever it is convenient. With distance learning programs, students can often continue to work or fulfill family obligations and attend classes or complete assignments on their own schedules. Online program benefits also include:
- Affordable Education: Distance learning programs may also be more cost-effective options for students, when compared with classroom programs. While tuition rates vary from school to school, online programs eliminate the cost of commuting to campus and campus housing from the full price of the program. Additionally, many schools provide financial aid options for students who need help paying for their education.
- Flexible Schedule & Program Length: Online direct entry nursing programs provide students with the convenience of completing their courses when it works with their schedules, and self-paced learning means that programs can often be completed a quicker pace. For example, Marquette University's Direct Entry MSN program can be completed in as little as 18-21 months.
What Are the Admissions & Certifications Requirements?
Admissions requirements for direct entry nursing programs will vary slightly from school to school and in different states, but in general will include:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Letters of recommendation
- Completion of college-level pre-requisite courses, which may include statistics, human anatomy, biology and chemistry
- Personal statement or essay
- In some cases, schools may also require scores from standardized entrance exams such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Program Curriculum
The master's entry nursing program curriculum combines coursework from BSN and MSN programs, and prepares students to take the national licensing test for registered nurses, the NCLEX-RN. While exact course titles may vary from school to school, below is an example of some of the classes offered as part of the MSN Direct Entry program at Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences:
- Art & Science of Nursing Practice
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiological Basis for Nursing Practice
- Adult Health Nursing
- Nursing Leadership, Management & Organizations
- Technology in Health Care
- Maternal/Newborn Nursing
- Nursing Theory & Research-Based Practice
- Healthcare Policy, Trends & Issues
- Clinical Practice in the Community
In addition to coursework completed online or in a classroom, direct entry programs also include clinical practice hours for students to gain professional nursing experience.
MENP vs. Traditional Master's Degree Route
Students pursuing an MSN through a master's entry nursing program are able to complete their studies at an accelerated rate by building on the foundation of their previous education and work experience. Schools know that a student who has already completed a bachelor's degree in another field is able to handle the rigorous coursework and accelerated pacing of a direct entry program. In addition, students have the benefit of completing their studies and beginning a new career faster than if they were to take a BSN and MSN program separately. In addition to a shorter completion time, these programs can also be more cost-effective than two separate degree programs. Upon graduation, these nurses are ready for higher paying and more advanced nursing positions than those who have not completed their master's degree.
There are a couple of caveats to a direct entry nursing program that prospective students should be aware of. First, accelerated nursing programs are very challenging and academically rigorous. Students need to be committed to becoming a nurse and disciplined enough to complete challenging coursework and long practice hours. In addition, any master's level education is a significant cost investment in your future. While many schools offer financial assistance to those who qualify, it can be a financial hurdle to pay for a master's degree in nursing.
List of Direct Entry MSN Programs
Select Your State:
Alaska
School | Contact Information |
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University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing Programs
| 3211 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508 (907) 786-4550 |
Arizona
School | Contact Information |
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University of Arizona Programs
| 1305 N. Martin Tucson, AZ 85721 (520) 626-6154 |
Arkansas
School | Contact Information |
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Arkansas State University Programs
| 2105 Aggie Rd Jonesboro, AR 72467 (870) 972-2100 |
California
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Azusa Pacific University Programs | 901 E Alosta Ave Azusa, CA 91702 (626) 969-3434 |
California Baptist University Programs
| 8432 Magnolia Ave Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 689-5771 |
California State University, Fresno Programs | 5241 N Maple Ave Fresno, CA 93740 (559) 278-4240 |
California State University, Fullerton Programs
| 800 N State College Blvd Fullerton, CA 92831 (657) 278-2011 |
California State University, Long Beach Programs
| 1250 Bellflower Blvd Long Beach, CA 90840 (562) 985-4111 |
California State University, Los Angeles Programs
| 5151 State University Dr Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 343-3000 |
California State University, Sacramento Programs
| 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819 (916) 278-6011 |
Charles Drew University Programs
| 1731 E 120th St Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 563-4800 |
Concordia University Irvine Programs
| 1530 Concordia Irvine, CA 92612 (800) 229-1200 |
Samuel Merritt University Programs | 3100 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94609 (510) 869-6511 |
San Francisco State University Programs
| 1600 Holloway Ave San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 338-1111 |
Sonoma State University Programs
| 1801 E Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (707) 664-2880 |
UC Davis Programs
| 2570 48th St. Davis, CA 95817 (916) 734-2145 |
University of California, Irvine Programs
| 252 Berk Hall Irvine, CA 92697 (949) 824-5011 |
University of California, Los Angeles Programs
| 700 Tiverton Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 825-4321 |
University of California, San Francisco Programs
| 505 Parnassus Ave San Francisco, CA 94143 (415) 476-9000 |
University of San Diego Programs
| 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 260-4600 |
Western University of Health Sciences Programs
| 309 E 2nd St Pomona, CA 91766 (909) 623-6116 |
Connecticut
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Yale University Programs
| 400 West Campus Drive Orange, CT 06477 (203) 737-5678 |
Georgia
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Augusta University Programs
| 1120 15th St Augusta, GA 30912 (706) 721-0211 |
Hawaii
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Programs
| 2500 Campus Rd Honolulu, HI 96822 (808) 956-8111 |
Idaho
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Idaho State University Programs
| 921 South 8th Avenue Pocatello, ID 83209 (208) 282-1044 |
Illinois
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Benedictine University Programs
| 5700 College Road Isle, IL 60532 (630) 829-6000 |
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing Programs
| N 11th St Quincy, IL 62301 (217) 228-5520 |
DePaul University Programs
| 2320 N Kenmore Ave Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 687-1000 |
Elmhurst College Programs
| 190 S Prospect Ave Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 617-3400 |
Millikin University Programs
| 1184 W Main St Decatur, IL 62522 (217) 424-6211 |
Rush University Programs
| 600 S Paulina St Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 942-5000 |
University of Illinois at Chicago Programs
| 1200 W Harrison St Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 996-7000 |
Maine
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Southern Maine Programs
| 96 Falmouth St Portland, ME 04103 (800) 800-4876 |
Maryland
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Johns Hopkins University Programs
| 525 N. Wolfe Street Baltimore, MD 21205 (410) 955-4766 |
University of Maryland Programs
| 655 West Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 706-3100 |
Massachusetts
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
MGH Institute of Health Professions Programs
| 36 First Avenue Boston, MA 02129 (617) 726-2947 |
Northeastern University Programs
| 360 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02115 (617) 373-2000 |
Salem State University Programs
| 352 Lafayette St Salem, MA 01970 (978) 542-6000 |
University of Massachusetts Medical School Programs
| 55 N Lake Ave Worcester, MA 01655 (508) 856-8989 |
Minnesota
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Metropolitan State University Programs
| 700 7th St E St Paul, MN 55106 (651) 793-1300 |
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Programs
| 5-140 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 (800) 598-8636 |
New Hampshire
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of New Hampshire Programs
| 4 Library Way Durham, NH 03824 (603) 862-1177 |
New Jersey
School | Contact Information |
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Seton Hall University Programs
| 400 South Orange Ave. South Orange, NJ 07079 (973) 761-9000 |
North Carolina
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of North Carolina - Greensboro Programs
| 1007 Walker Ave Greensboro, NC 27412 (336) 334-5000 |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Programs
| 9201 University City Blvd Charlotte, NC 28223 (704) 687-8622 |
Winston - Salem State University Programs
| 601 S Martin Luther King Jr Dr Winston-Salem, NC 27110 (336) 750-2000 |
Ohio
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Capital University Programs
| 1 College Ave Columbus, OH 43209 (614) 236-6011 |
Case Western Reserve University Programs
| 2120 Cornell Road Cleveland, OH 44106 (216) 368-2529 |
University of Cincinnati Programs
| 3110 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45221 (513) 558-5500 |
Xavier University Programs
| 3800 Victory Pkwy Cincinnati, OH 45207 (513) 745-3814 |
Tennessee
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Vanderbilt University Programs
| 461 21st Ave. South Nashville, TN 37240 (615) 322-4400 |
Texas
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Texas - Arlington Programs
| 701 S Nedderman Dr. Arlington, TX 76019 (817) 272-2011 |
Utah
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Ameritech College of Healthcare Programs
| 2035 N 550 W Provo, UT 84604 (801) 377-2900 |
Vermont
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Norwich University College of Graduate & Continuing Studies Programs
| 158 Harmon Drive Northfield, VT 05663 (866) 684-7237 |
University of Vermont Programs
| Department of Nursing Burlington, VT 05405 (802) 656-3131 |
Virginia
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Virginia Programs
| 225 Jeanette Lancaster Way Charlottesville, VA 22903 (434) 924-2743 |
Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.