ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is launching a new graduate degree program for students and career changers—a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program will prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to provide safe, competent, and compassionate care to patients.
“This new program is a perfect example ofÌýºÚÁϳԹϒsÌýability to capitalize on our historic strength in nursing and health sciences education,” saidÌýºÚÁϳԹÏÌý±Ê°ù±ð²õ¾±»å±ð²Ô³ÙÌýMary K. Surridge. “We are building new capacity to educate and equip more and more highly skilled and ethical professionals to positively impact the city ofÌýChicago and beyond.”
Students in the five-semester program will complete clinical rotations that align with their coursework and prepare them to enter the field with skill and confidence. All clinical rotations are held in hospitals and community sites recognized for nursing excellence, including Swedish Hospital, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Lawndale Community Health Center, and others.
After completing the degree requirements throughÌýNorth Park’sÌý graduates will be qualified to apply for the professional nurse licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN. Graduates who pass this exam become licensed registered nurses (RNs) and are eligible to work in a healthcare setting. Graduates will also have the academic foundation necessary to pursue further education in the field, such as a post-master’s certification in an advanced practice specialty, nursing leadership, and management, or earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
North Park Provost Michael Carr said graduates of this program “will have learned to Integrate core scientific and ethical principles, advanced nursing knowledge, professional values, and clinical excellence in a nursing practice that reflects the Christian principles of the philosophy of theÌýºÚÁϳԹÏÌýSchool of Nursing.”
The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing atÌýºÚÁϳԹÏÌýis designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in another academic major. Students can apply to the program throughÌý, the centralized application for nursing programs.ÌýApplication fee waiversÌýare available for those who qualify.