If you want to become a registered nurse with a master’s degree, you may want to consider a direct entry nursing program, especially if you already have a non-nursing degree. Not only does a direct entry nursing program let you seamlessly transition into the field of nursing, but it provides you with a wide variety of career opportunities and positions you for roles in leadership, education, and post-master’s certifications.
As you initiate your nursing school search, each direct entry nursing program may seem as good as the next but choosing the right one for you is crucial. After all, when you finish you will hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. The best direct entry nursing program will accommodate your learning style and your personality and provide you with the best foundation for success and growth in the healthcare field.
The good news is, Marquette University’s Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers all these things and can prepare you for a fulfilling career with an array of benefits, including exceptional academics, invaluable clinical experiences, and one-on-one support from prominent scholars and clinicians. Here are some other reasons why students are choosing to earn their MSN through Marquette’s direct entry nursing program.
1. Strong Academic Reputation
Where you choose to earn your masters of science in nursing can be very important for your future career as a registered nurse. Marquette University is known for its reputation for creating and educating high-quality nurses that employers always need. This is exactly why Ruben chose the Direct Entry MSN program; he knew Marquette’s strong academic reputation would lead him towards success. “This is the one program that I found that gave me everything I was looking for.”
Marquette University earns national rankings in the annual U.S. News & World Report college guide and is listed in The Princeton Review as one of the country’s “Best 382 Colleges” for 2018.
Ruben’s not the only student to choose Marquette based on its esteemed reputation. Direct Entry MSN student Rachel chose its direct entry nursing program for the same reason. “People will ask me where I’m going to nursing school, and as soon as I say the words Marquette University, it’s like they have a different respect for me.”
2. Speed + Opportunity
Students are attracted to Marquette’s Direct Entry MSN program because it lets them leverage their existing bachelor’s degree and become a nurse in 18-21 months.
For Allysa, this timeframe was essential. “I realized that in the same amount of time that it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree from other programs, I could earn a master’s with Marquette,” she says. Plus, being able to earn a master’s will leverage her career opportunities and allow her to advance her future in healthcare. “Having a master’s is the stepping stone to other career opportunities – I can teach nursing, take on leadership roles, or become a nurse practitioner,” says Allysa.
Rachel also knew earning an MSN would get her a step closer to her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. “I felt like this would be the right step to take, and I also wanted the leadership you gain with a master’s versus a bachelor’s,” says Rachel.
3. Flexibility through Online Learning
Having the flexibility to make your own schedule while completing the online portion of the curriculum is also a draw for the Marquette Direct Entry nursing program. But you must remember to complete all required coursework by the due date assigned. “Online learning allows me to watch lectures, pause at any time, rewind, take breaks and, most importantly, learn at my own pace,” says Ruben.
Also, location is not a problem with online studies. You can study and submit your assignments from anywhere at any time. “It’s available to you 24 hours a day, so if I feel like working from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., I can do that,” says Direct Entry MSN student Kassie.
“The structure of this program gives you the perfect amount of freedom to tackle the week in a way that works best for you,” Alyssa says. “Meeting up on campus or at a clinical site lets you apply what you’ve learned online.”
4. Clinical Experience
Yes, online coursework is a big part of the Direct Entry MSN curriculum, but your clinical experience is just as important. Throughout the entire program, you’ll complete a series of on-site labs that prepare you for the 1,020 hours of clinical rotations at top healthcare institutions throughout Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
Your in-hospital clinical rotations will let you display the nursing skills you have learned in coursework and in labs in a real-world setting. For Direct Entry MSN student Courtney, this was why she chose the program. “I wanted to feel confident going into my career with a lot of practice in the field prior to becoming a nurse,” she says.
As you work with real patients, you can expect your preceptor, or clinical instructor, to be by your side the entire time. They will be the ones co-signing your charts and helping you administer medication to ensure you are doing everything the right way. As you apply the skills you’ve learned in various clinical settings, you will start to develop critical thinking skills, foster clinical judgment, and cultivate specialty expertise. This is what will distinguish you from other nursing school students.
As you become more proficient in caring for patients, you’ll gain the confidence needed to graduate career-ready. You’ll also have the chance to network with fellow nurses, doctors, and staff members. “You meet the nurse managers, you meet the unit directors, you meet the nurse recruiters who are constantly seeking individuals for jobs,” says Courtney.
5. Faculty Support
Changing careers to pursue your nursing education is a major decision, so it’s important that you have support each step of the way.
“Marquette has created this environment where everyone is willing to contribute to your success,” says Kassie. From the moment you contact an admissions adviser to the moment you sit for your National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), staff and faculty cultivate a collaborative, interdisciplinary and supportive environment to help you reach your maximum potential.
This is why Direct Entry MSN student Shelby decided to become a nurse through Marquette University.“I chose Marquette because it offers small class sizes and allows me to receive one-on-one support to become the best nurse I can be,” she says.
It’s time for you to choose. If you’re ready to learn more about earning an MSN through Marquette’s direct entry nursing program, call 866.891.8438 to speak with an admissions adviser today, or fill out the form and they will contact you with more information.