Preparing for a master’s degree in nursing requires steps including researching a program, completing prerequisites and submitting other admissions materials. You will also need to be prepared for an intensive curriculum of coursework, nursing skills labs and clinical simulation, and clinical courses at top area health care facilities.
If you’re considering a nursing career, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a wide range of potential nursing career paths. This advanced nursing degree qualifies you for more positions than a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and allows you to pursue advanced education opportunities.
At Marquette University, we offer a Second Degree Direct Entry MSN program designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Instead of starting over with a four-year BSN, we empower you to earn a graduate-level degree and move directly into nursing in five or eight semesters (depending on program modality).
Earning an MSN degree, especially through an accelerated curriculum, can be challenging and intense. If you successfully work through all your assignments and studies, at the end of our DE-MSN program, you will have the education, skills, and clinical experience needed to enter the nursing field with confidence.
Explore why students choose these programs, how to prepare, and what you can expect once enrolled.
Why Pursue a Master’s Degree in Nursing?
If you can enter the nursing field with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, why pursue an MSN? To start, this degree opens broader career opportunities in nursing leadership, education, and patient care. Advanced nursing roles often require an MSN degree, alongside additional experience, degrees, or certifications. For roles that do not strictly require an MSN, your degree can make you a more desirable candidate. Some advanced nursing roles you can reach more easily with this degree include:
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse educator
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse practitioner
Nursing roles also remain in high demand nationwide, with a current nursing shortage making highly qualified MSN graduates even more competitive in today’s job market.
Lastly, direct entry MSN programs like Marquette’s are designed for career-changers who have earned a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Our curriculum’s accelerated timeframe of five or eight semesters (depending on program format), with two program sites and multiple yearly start dates, makes us a flexible option that is faster than traditional BSN or MSN degree paths.
Learn more about the differences between a BSN vs MSN degree, and see the opportunities you can access with each.
How to Prepare for a Master’s-Level Nursing Program
If a direct entry MSN program sounds like the right option for you, then you can begin the process of researching, applying, and completing prerequisites before starting the program and settling into your courses.
You don’t need to take on this process alone, though. Admissions advisers with Marquette’s DE-MSN program help prospective students navigate the process and form an application timeline. With their help, you can meet deadlines for submitting documentation and fulfilling other requirements with a view toward a specific start date.
Choosing the Right Program
Have you wondered, “How do I prepare for a master’s in nursing?” The process starts with researching MSN programs and finding the best fit for you. Determine whether a direct entry MSN program suits your goals and educational background, among other factors, including:
- Hybrid or fully in-person format
- Program location
- Program length
- Accreditation at the state and national level through organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and state boards of nursing
If the program fits your needs, you can move forward in the process to meet admissions requirements.
Completing Prerequisite Courses
In traditional MSN programs, your previous BSN degree will likely fulfill most or all prerequisite requirements. Since a direct entry MSN program like Marquette’s builds on a previous non-nursing degree, you will need to complete prerequisite courses. These bring you up to speed on a fast-paced curriculum and cover subjects including:
- Behavioral sciences
- Chemistry OR Biochemistry OR Biology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Statistics
Once you have completed all prerequisites, you will be much closer to enrolling and beginning as an MSN student.
Strengthening Your Application
Depending on the program, you may have to prepare and send materials like a personal statement, letters of recommendation, or admissions interviews. These will vary depending on the school or program you are considering.
If you get in contact with us about our DE-MSN program, our admissions advisers will verify your eligibility and guide you throughout the entire admissions process.
Planning Financially, Mentally, and Emotionally
A graduate-level nursing degree is a large undertaking, and you should be sure you are prepared financially, mentally, and emotionally to succeed. Start by researching tuition, fees, and overall living expenses (especially if you are considering relocating).
You can explore opportunities for financial aid like scholarships, grants, and loans, and form a financial plan. Due to the accelerated nature and intensive time commitment of our program offerings, we advise students to avoid working during this time if possible.
Be prepared for a rigorous study schedule as an MSN student, with plenty of hours spent on labs and clinical courses as well. You may have to lean on your close friends and family more than usual during this time if you have other necessary commitments like childcare, but you can achieve your goals with dedication and support.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing Program
A direct entry MSN program like Marquette’s will naturally move at a faster pace than a traditional MSN program, but you will cover the same material and graduate ready to take on any number of nursing roles, regardless of program format.
Completing our curriculum in five or eight semesters will require commitment and a willingness to work hard as you complete each aspect of the program.
Academic Coursework
Coursework during an MSN program will be intensive, covering key nursing concepts in advance of applying that knowledge to labs and clinical courses. As a student in our direct entry MSN program, you will attend lectures and complete coursework either online or on campus.
Students at our main Milwaukee campus complete courses in person with some hybrid coursework. Those enrolled at our Pleasant Prairie program site will complete courses through a dynamic e-learning platform, enabling students to:
- Complete assignments
- Discuss relevant topics with instructors and fellow cohort members
- Read materials
- See lectures by subject matter experts
Nursing Skills Labs and Clinical Simulation
Building on the knowledge and key nursing concepts covered through lectures and coursework, nursing skills labs and clinical simulation are where you practice key skills and techniques in a controlled environment. You will practice nursing skills demonstrated by instructors in a mock clinical setting in preparation for clinical simulation.
In clinical simulation, you will work alongside fellow cohort members to address a hypothetical care scenario. A high-tech medical manikin serves as a patient stand-in, presenting different symptoms as the situation evolves and requiring fast thinking to keep its simulated vitals stable. After each clinical simulation, debriefs containing instructor feedback point out areas where students can improve.
Learn more about clinical simulation in nursing and what makes it so important in your education.
Clinical Rotations in Real Health Care Settings
Clinical courses combine the nursing skills and theory covered during coursework and labs, with students working in real clinical environments at top area health care facilities. Five-semester Marquette DE-MSN students start clinical courses in their second semester, so learning in a real environment happens throughout the majority of the program.
During clinical courses, you will gain experience in several practice areas, all under clinical instructor supervision. You will learn to deliver compassionate care, communicate with patients and other health care professionals, and see firsthand what the experience of working as a nurse after graduation feels like.
Staying on Track
Our DE-MSN program demands a significant amount of time, roughly equivalent to a full-time job, when counting lectures, studying, labs, and clinical courses. You will need to establish a firm study routine and take advantage of technology to stay organized and on top of deadlines.
Succeeding as a Marquette student means balancing your responsibilities, managing stress through self-care, and leaning on the support you receive from faculty, fellow cohort members, and the close personal connections in your life. With commitment, you can successfully graduate and enjoy the new opportunities in your nursing career path.
Ready to Pursue Your Nursing Future With Marquette?
If an MSN degree fits your career goals and a direct entry format works best for your schedule, Marquette could be the right option for you. Contact us today to get in touch with an admissions adviser. They will walk you through how to prepare for a master’s degree in nursing and equip you for success as you pursue your nursing education.