About the Program
The Master of Science in Nursing Entry (MSN-E) program offers a pathway for applicants with baccalaureate degrees in other fields to obtain RN licensure and then continue with graduate courses to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing degree. This program of study offers an alternative for students who would have had to complete either an Associate Degree in Nursing at a community college or obtain a second bachelor's degree to achieve registered nurse licensure.
The first sixteen months of the MSN-E program prepare students to sit for the RN licensing exam. Students will then work in the nursing field while continuing their graduate education through a full-time reduced unit curriculum.
A career in nursing offers talented individuals high job satisfaction, competitive salaries and job security. Job opportunities are nearly limitless due to the national shortage of nurses.
All existing College of Graduate Nursing programs are California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) approved, and nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The Curriculum
The College of Graduate Nursing offers three academic semesters per year to reduce the number of years required to complete graduate nursing education. The MSN-E program offers students four areas of emphasis: Health Systems Leaderhip - Administrative Nurse Leader (ANL), Health Systems Leadership - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Ambulatory Care (AMB), and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The pre-licensure portion is common to all four areas of emphasis.
Pre-licensure (RN Preperation Curriculum)
The pre-licensure portion of the curriculum is 61 semester units. Pre-licensure is full-time, campus-based, and completed in the first four semesters of the program. Please click on the link below to view the Master of Science in Nursing Entry (MSN-E) Pre-Licensure Curriculum:
Master of Science in Nursing Entry (MSN-E) Pre-Licensure Curriculum
Post-licensure (MSN Curriculum)
The post-licensure (MSN) portion of the curriculum varies in unit value depending on the emphasis. The post-licensure (MSN) curriculum begins in semester five of the program and students will enter one of the four areas of emphasis. In semester five, the curriculum becomes web-based and students are required to convene on campus two times each semester for an intensive weekend of instruction (weekend seminars). Below is a list of the four areas of emphasis. Please click on the links to view the curriculum (course number/title and unit value by semester).
Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Health Systems Leadership - Administrative Nurse Leader
The MSN-E Leadership and Management curriculum consists of 38 semester units in addition to the 61 pre-licensure semester units for a total of 99 semester units. The total curriculum can be completed in 3 years (9 semesters).
Master of Science in Nursing - Administrative Nurse Leader (MSN-ANL) Curriculum
Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Health Systems Leadership - Clinical Nurse Leader
The MSN-E Clinical Nurse Leader curriculum consists of 44 semester units in addition to the 61 pre-licensure semester units for a total of 105 semester units. The total curriculum can be completed in 3 years (9 semesters).
Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN-CNL) Curriculum
Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Ambulatory Care Nursing
The MSN-E Ambulatory Care Nursing curriculum consists of 35 semester units in addition to the 61 semester pre-licensure units for a total of 96 semester units. The total curriculum can be completed in 3 years (9 semesters).
Master of Science in Nursing - Ambulatory Care (MSN-AMB) Curriculum
Master of Science in Nursing Degree and Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The MSN-E Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum consists of 70 semester units in addition to the 61 semester pre-licensure units for a total of 131 semester units. The total curriculum can be completed in 4 years (12 semesters).
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Curriculum
Please visit the Course Descriptions section within the College of Graduate Nursing Student Catalog to obtain course description information.
For information regarding the Master of Science in Nursing Entry (MSN-E) curriculum, please contact:
Mary Lopez, PhD, RN
Director, RN to MSN and MSN-E Programs
E-mail: mlopez@westernu.edu
Admissions Information
For information regarding prerequisite coursework and application requirements, please review the MSN-E admissions information or if you are ready, you may submit an online application. If you have any questions regarding the application requirements, please contact the Admissions Counselors: Julie Smith at (909) 469-5442, Michelle Cowling at (909) 469-5540, or Elaine Gonzalez at (909) 469-5337.