Interested in making a mid-course career change? Worried that your lack of a BSN degree will hold you back from fulfilling your aspirations to become an advanced practice RN? A direct-entry Master’s of Science in Nursing degree can make the transition from your previous field of study to nursing easy. There are online programs that will allow you to earn an MSN in just 12 to 20 months, and because they use distance learning technology, you won’t have to rearrange your work or family obligations to accommodate class times. What are the best 12-20 month online direct-entry MSN programs? The list below of the 3 best 12-20 month direct-entry MSN online programs is an invaluable resource.
(Please note that no 12-month Direct-Entry MSN online programs are currently being offered. To provide our readers with the next fastest alternative option, for our rankings, we have evaluated online Direct-Entry MSN programs that can be completed in 12-20 months.)
Program Length: 19 Months
Clinical Training: Clinical rotations are a vital part of your nursing education. At Marquette University, you will begin clinical simulations in your first semester. Simulations are designed to help you prepare for in-person clinical practicums, which will begin in the program's second semester.
Program faculty design your clinical experiences with pre-assigned locations in a variety of settings. The university has clinical partnerships with healthcare organizations in metro-Milwaukee, northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and Chicago.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The Direct-Entry MSN program at Marquette University can be completed in as few as 19 months.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the Direct-Entry MSN program at Marquette University, you must hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0. You must complete prerequisite courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology with lab, Chemistry or Biochemistry or Biology, Nutrition for Health Science, Behavioral Sciences: Psychology or Sociology, and Statistics, including Inferential Analysis. All prerequisite courses must be passed with a “C” or better.
Prospective students are encouraged to speak with an admissions advisor to verify eligibility and create an academic plan. You must complete a Marquette Graduate School application and pay a $50 application fee. Additionally, you must provide official transcripts from any college or university you have attended, three letters of recommendation, an updated resume, and an admissions statement.
Why Choose This Program
• Marquette University believes in promoting career growth for all its students. After graduating from the Direct-Entry MSN program, you have the option to pursue an advanced nursing certification. The university offers options for earning post-Master's certification in Nursing Administration and as a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Midwife.Program Length: 20 Months
Clinical Training: Clinical training for the Direct-Entry MSN program is conducted one day per week throughout the program. You will participate in direct patient care experiences in various healthcare settings. All practicums are completed under the direct supervision of clinical faculty and approved preceptors. Clinical training sites and assignments are arranged by the clinical coordinator.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The program offered at Carroll University is a 20-month direct-entry MSN online program.
Admission Requirements: Candidates who wish to enroll in the Direct-Entry MSN online program at Carroll University must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution and have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher. You will begin the application process by completing the Graduate Studies Application. You must provide a Personal Statement defining your goals and objectives, a resume or curriculum vitae, two professional references, and copies of official post-secondary transcripts. Additionally, you must complete the Technical and Profession Standards Form and complete the required pre-professional coursework with a grade of “C” or better.
Why Choose This Program
• At Carroll University, you will learn valuable clinical skills at the school’s state-of-the-art simulation facilities. Your experiences on campus will help you prepare for clinical practicums and independent practice after graduation.Program Length: 20 Months
Clinical Training: The online 20-month direct-entry MSN program at Texas Lutheran University includes a minimum of 990 clinical hours. In your clinical training, you will participate in hands-on training, providing a range of patient care in diverse healthcare settings. Some of the settings where you will obtain clinical training include geriatrics, behavioral health, medical-surgical acute care, surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, ICU, emergency rooms, community, and intermediate care settings.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: You can complete the Direct-Entry MSN program at Texas Lutheran University in as few as 20 months.
Admission Requirements: The Direct-Entry MSN program at Texas Lutheran University is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in any academic major other than nursing. You must provide official transcripts from all institutions you attended, be a graduate of a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree program, and have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or greater. You must provide ATI TEAS test scores with a composite of 70 or higher, taken within the last year. You must provide one letter of reference and complete two essay questions. Finally, you must complete Statistics and Developmental Psychology courses and pass all science prerequisites with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Why Choose This Program
• The Direct-Entry MSN program features small class sizes, which means you have more opportunities for individual attention from faculty and preceptors.