RN-MSN Entry

Vanderbilt offers a flexible, accelerated RN pre-specialty program that helps your dreams come true in as little as two calendar years.

Pre-Specialty RN entry for ASN and Diploma Graduates

Do you want to realize your dreams of earning a Master of Science in Nursing degree and becoming an advanced practice nurse? Vanderbilt offers a flexible, accelerated RN pre-specialty program that helps your dreams come true in as little as two calendar years.


Through our modified class schedules and distributed course delivery formats, you can learn from where you live without relocating or giving up your employment.

 

Admission Requirements

The best ways to learn about the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Admissions process and requirements are to join us for Open House in October or March and to schedule an appointment with an Admissions counselor. You can get started by visiting Admissions Requirements on our website to learn more.

 

Application Requirements

  • Standardized Test Scores: GRE
  • Official Transcripts from all Colleges Attended (with a ‘B’ average)
  • Letters of Recommendation (3 professional/academic)
  • Interview Survey
  • Goal Statement

Prerequisite Courses

78 semester hours or 120 quarter hours of transferable college credit which must include:

 

  • 6 semester hours of English
  • 9 semester hours of Social Science
  • 6 semester hours of Humanities
  • 3 semester hours of Lifespan Development
  • 11 semester hours of Natural Science (must include Human Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology)
  • 3 semester hours of Statistics
  • 2–3 semester hours of Nutrition
  • 38 semester hours of remaining credit from an accredited college/university

Meet the Program Director

Carolyn Bess, DSN, RN

 

Dr. Bess serves as the faculty coordinator for the program of studies for RN students. She has been on the Vanderbilt School of Nursing faculty for many years and brings a wealth of experience to the special needs of the working adult learner. In addition, her areas of research interests in addition to nursing education are adult health, end-stage renal disease and the self-care practices of Adult Type II Diabetics.

Dr. Bess also coordinates the Academic Enhancement program for current School of Nursing students at Vanderbilt.

 

Learn from Where You Live

Our modified class schedule offers flexible formats and distributed/distance course delivery

 

Vanderbilt School of Nursing is committed to career mobility for ASN and diploma nursing graduates. During your pre-specialty year, you do not have to relocate to Vanderbilt or give up your employment to be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student.

Instead, Vanderbilt lets you learn from where you live with pre-specialty course content that is delivered in a modified learning (block) format: (1) courses offered in concentrated blocks of time on campus, including weekends, up to four times per semester, (2) on-line conferencing, and (3) videotape lecture delivery and distributed learning methods which allow for continued faculty contact between sessions. In addition, clinical placement can be arranged in your home area provided a suitable agency and preceptor are available. Sites and preceptors are subject to Vanderbilt School of Nursing faculty approval.