Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (RN)

Nursing students practicing CPR

Master of Science in Nursing for non-nurses

Embrace the future of health care with our dynamic Direct Entry Registered Nurse (RN) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for non-nursing majors.

Our vibrant, campus-centered program offers you a pathway to a rewarding career in nursing. We will provide you with the advanced clinical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in diverse health care settings. By choosing our program, you will join a community of dedicated professionals committed to excellence, compassion, and leadership in health care.

Why enroll in the Direct Entry Registered Nurse (MSN) program?

A student sits on a bench outside a building on the Simmons University campus
School of Nursing building on the Simmons University campus

The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (RN) is offered through Simmons University’s' prestigious School of Nursing, based in Boston.

In our master’s degree nursing program, you will embark on a comprehensive educational journey that includes:

  • Foundational Nursing Education: Gain essential nursing knowledge and clinical skills, preparing you to become a compassionate and competent registered nurse.
  • Advanced Clinical Training: Engage in rigorous clinical experiences, including hands-on practice and simulations, to develop your expertise in patient care and critical thinking.
  • Leadership and Management: Explore leadership, health care policy, and management principles to prepare for roles that influence healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
  • Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Learn to apply research and evidence-based practices to enhance the quality of care and contribute to advancements in nursing.
  • Preparation for NCLEX Exam: Receive thorough preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), ensuring you are well-equipped to achieve licensure as a registered nurse.

What can you do as a Registered Nurse (MSN)?

Our Direct Entry MSN program prepares you to take on impactful nursing roles in the health care industry. Career opportunities include:

  • Registered Nurse (RN): Provide high-quality patient care in hospitals, clinics, schools, and community health settings, promoting wellness and managing acute and chronic conditions.
  • Nurse Leader: Assume leadership positions within health care organizations, shaping policies and practices to improve patient care and health care delivery.
  • Clinical Nurse Educator: Teach and mentor nursing students and health care professionals, contributing to the development of the next generation of nurses.
  • Health Care Researcher: Participate in research initiatives to advance nursing practice and improve health care outcomes through evidence-based solutions.
  • Policy Advocate: Advocate for health care policies that promote patient-centered care, enhance health care access, and address public health challenges.

Begin a transformative journey with our Registered Nurse master's program. Prepare for a fulfilling career as a highly qualified nurse leader, ready to make a difference in the world of health care.

Program Requirements and Resources

Term 1Term 2
NURS XXX - Health Assessment Across the Lifespan3IPE 450 - Health Care Systems: Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
NURS XXXL - Health Assessment Lab1NURS XXX - Medical Surgical Nursing: Care of the Adult with Acute, Chronic & Complex Conditions6
NURS XXX - Foundations of Nursing & Clinical Skills3NURS XXXL - Medical Surgical Nursing Care of Adults Clinical2
NURS XXXL - Foundations of Nursing & Skills Lab/Clinical1NURS XXX - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing3
NURS XXX - Pharmacology3NURS XXXL - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Clinical1
NURS XXX - Nursing Theory and Evidence-Based Clinical Decision Making3
Total credits14Total credits15
Term 3Term 4
NURS XXX - Pediatric Nursing3NURS XXX - Synthesis & Role Transition3
NURS XXXL - Pediatric Nursing Clinical1NURS XXX - Leadership and Advocacy in Health Care 3
NURS XXX - Community & Population Health3NURS XXXL - Clinical Practicum2
NURS XXXL - Community & Population Health Clinical1NURS XXX - Research Methods & Informatics4
NURS XXX - Diversity in Health Care3NURS 405 - Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, & Pharmacology3
NURS XXX - Maternal, Newborn & Women’s Health Nursing3
NURS XXXL - Maternal, Newborn & Women’s Health Nursing Clinical 1
Total credits15Total credits15

Clinical hours total=736, Total Credits=59
Eligible to sit for the NCLEX after program completion


Nursing Program Highlights

90%

Simmons Graduates have a NCLEX Pass Rate Above 90%

A 90% pass rate is well above the national average for RN candidates, which is in the low 80% range.

850+

Clinical Training Sites

Boston-based students have access to more than 850 clinical training sites, including world-class hospitals like Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women’s, Boston Children’s, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Learn more about clinical training

700+

Clinical Hours for MSN RN

As a Simmons student, you will receive over 700 hours of clinical — encompassing both in-person clinical experiences and high-fidelity simulation activities — to prepare you to become a Registered Nurse.

7

Clinical Rotations

Through the pre-licensure program of study you will complete rotations in medical/surgical nursing, complex care, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, and community health on your way to earning your MSN and becoming an RN.

Nursing Faculty

The faculty at Simmons University School of Nursing are a dynamic blend of practicing nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse leaders, and nurse researchers, all committed to guiding you through the ever-evolving landscape of health care. Their real-world clinical experience, leadership expertise, and innovative research ensure that your education is both grounded in current practice and inspired by future possibilities.

Meet our Nursing Faculty and Staff

 

Spotlight on Nursing Students and Alums

Boston Children's Hospital Main Entrance

School of Nursing Students Train to Work with Children with Developmental Disorders

Simmons School of Nursing students Rachel Takes ’24MSN and Elizabeth Strager ’19 ’21MSN, FNP- C, ’25DNP were recruited into the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND Boston) at Boston Children's Hospital’s Institute for Community Inclusion.


Kimberly Noonan ’18DNP

Kimberly Noonan ’18DNP Selected as 2023 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

On October 7, 2023, Kimberly Noonan ’18DNP was inducted as a Fellow within the American Academy of Nursing . A Chief Nurse Practitioner at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Dr. Noonan is committed to supporting Nurse Practitioners and advancing oncology...


Samantha Sochan ’19

Samantha Sochan ’19 Discovers New Career in Non-Traditional Nursing Jobs

Samantha Sochan '19 shares her journey from bedside nursing to nursing educator.