Curry College School of Nursing Announces Accelerated Entry-Master of Science in Nursing (AE-MSN)

Curry College School of Nursing is pleased to announce a newly approved Accelerated Entry Master of Science in Nursing (AE-MSN) program. This innovative educational option is designed for students with a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree, who want to enter the nursing profession at the graduate degree level. Graduates of the AE-MSN program are prepared as advanced generalists and are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®) at completion of the 66-credit, 5-semester program.

At a time when the nursing profession, both nationally and locally, is facing registered nurse shortages, Curry College School of Nursing Dean, Michelle McMahon PhD, RN, CNE, is pleased to share this new degree option with potential students and stakeholders including clinical partners in our community.

“The increasing complexity of the healthcare system in combination with greater patient acuity requires professional nurses equipped with strong clinical judgment abilities to ensure safe, quality care,” says McMahon. “Our AE-MSN program’s unique entry into practice at the graduate level meets this contemporary need and promotes a more highly educated nursing workforce.”

The AE-MSN curriculum is guided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) professional standards and integrates baccalaureate and master level competencies into a pre-licensure program. Graduates are prepared to assume an entry level registered nurse position with an MSN degree, which can accelerate the trajectory towards nursing leadership roles and lay the foundation for future doctoral studies.

Coursework is consistent with the newly released AACN Essentials document (2021) and is designed as hybrid 8-week classes with clinical experience across each of the five semesters. The clinical model is organized by the four spheres of care (AACN, 2021), providing students with opportunities to deliver person centered nursing care to patients, families and populations across the lifespan and along various stages of health and illness. Additionally, behavioral and mental health content is uniquely embedded throughout the AE-MSN curriculum to promote broad conceptual understanding and application of behavioral health nursing interventions in a variety of contexts.

“The AE-MSN program was thoughtfully designed to draw on the previous bachelor’s degree preparation and build on students’ prior academic degree and life experience,” says McMahon. “By translating previous knowledge, skills, and attitudes into the new nursing context, this program promotes practice ready professionals. We are excited to add this degree option to nursing programming. Not only does it meet the educational needs of second-degree students seeking a nursing degree, but equally important it produces highly qualified MSN nurses to meet our community healthcare needs.”

If you are interested in a career as a professional nurse and seek the MSN credential, you are encouraged to explore our AE-MSN nursing education program. The application process is now open, with the first cohort starting in Fall 2022. For additional program questions please contact the Division of Continuing and Graduate Studies or MSN Director Dr. Coleen Toronto.

Reference: American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2021). The Essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. Washington, DC: Author.