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Direct Entry MSN

  • Master of Science

Direct Entry – Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration

Start your career as a nurse and prepare to make a difference. The Direct Entry – Master of Science in Nursing at Saint Vincent College will help you to acquire the knowledge and practice skills you need to become a leader in the ever-evolving healthcare field.

The demands of today’s society challenge the provision of quality and safe care to patients, families, and communities. With an MSN from Saint Vincent College, designed for students who have a baccalaureate or higher degree in another field, you will be able to take on that challenge. You’ll stand out in the job market while looking to make a career change, thanks to advanced knowledge and training in clinical and personal skills.

Master’s prepared nurses can lead in direct care roles in all healthcare delivery areas.

An Accelerated Graduate Nursing Program for Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Students

This innovative and accelerated second degree program option is intended for individuals holding a bachelor or higher degree in a non-nursing major.  Prerequisites in health and sciences, gained during your undergraduate studies or in preparation for the Direct Entry-MSN degree program, provide a foundation on which your MSN curriculum will build.

 

Prerequisites Required for Program Entry

Eligible students will be admitted directly into the Direct Entry-MSN program after completing the following required prerequisite courses prior to enrolling:

  • Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab - 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab - 4 credits
  • General Chemistry with Lab - 4 credits
  • Microbiology with Lab - 4 credits
  • Nutrition - 2 or 3 credits
  • Life Span Development - 3 credits
  • Applied Statistics (Inferential or Biostatistics) - 3 credits
  • College Writing - 3 credits

Once these prerequisites are complete, students with a bachelor’s degree in any academic major can earn their MS in Nursing in 24 months of full-time study on Saint Vincent College’s campus.

Program Highlights: Direct Entry - MSN at Saint Vincent College

When earning your Master of Science in Nursing at Saint Vincent College, your studies will combine:

  • In-person learning in engaging classes with small class sizes led by expert faculty
  • Practical training in advanced facilities and simulation labs
  • Clinical rotations in a variety of settings across the lifespan of care
  • Quality improvement opportunities to apply independent thought and judgment in arriving at solutions while contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession

During your first three semesters, you’ll take prelicensure nursing courses to gain the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for passing the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Coursework during your last three semesters completes the requirements for a graduate degree and eligibility to sit for national Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification.

By the time you graduate, you will have earned 76 academic credits along with 1,080 hours of hands-on training in settings like medical-surgical acute care, geriatrics, surgery, behavioral health, pediatrics, OB-GYN, emergency room nursing, ICU care, and community health settings.

Career Outcomes: Success Opportunities with an MSN

After graduating from SVC’s Direct Entry MSN program, you will be prepared to take the NCLEX exam to earn your Registered Nurse (RN) license. You will also be eligible to gain national certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), positioning you for long-term career success:

  • Pennsylvania is expected to need more than 160,000 new RNs by 2030—fifth most in the nation.
  • Only 17% of America’s registered nurses hold a master’s degree.
  • Master’s-prepared nurses with a CNL skill set are crucial to leading nurses and health care teams to provide evidence-based, equitable, high-quality care with robust patient outcomes.
  • Among CNLs prepared through Direct Entry MSN programs, 95% were employed in nursing positions two to five years after graduation and 89% were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their educational preparation.

Graduates will also have the foundation to move into a DNP or PhD doctoral nursing program.

The Benefits of a Saint Vincent College Education

Enrolling in Saint Vincent College’s Direct Entry-MSN program immerses you in the foundations of a Benedictine, liberal arts education that goes beyond career skills. In addition to excellent clinical preparation, students develop and nurture their emotional intelligence. That emphasis benefits patients and providers alike, across the four spheres of healthcare.

SVC’s affiliation with regional health systems creates premier practical experience opportunities. Meanwhile, all students benefit from mentorships with professors who are expert practitioners in the nursing field.

While on campus, Direct Entry-MSN students gain practice knowledge and refine their clinical skills through laboratory, extended reality, and high-fidelity simulation labs. Upon the completion of construction in April 2026, all students will take classes and gain practical skills in Rhodora and John Donahue Hall and the David Scaife Family Foundation Center of Excellence and Innovation in Nursing

Resources for Nursing MS Students at Saint Vincent College

Students at Saint Vincent College benefit from a wide range of resources designed to help them succeed academically and personally, including:

The registrar’s office provides a comprehensive overview of graduate policies and support services in its annual Graduate Student Bulletin.

Admissions Information and Next Steps

Enroll in our accelerated, full time graduate program to earn your Master of Science in Nursing degree and begin your nursing career. Applications are now being accepted for Direct Entry - MSN students to begin classes in summer 2025. Interested students can request information online or contact the Department of Nursing at 724-805-2829 or nursing @stvincent.edu for more information.

 

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