Nursing: Direct Entry (M.S.)

The Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing Program is a full-time, five-semester, program of study designed for non­-RN students who hold a B.S. or B.A. or higher degree in a field other than nursing and desire a career changes into the nursing profession. This program will prepare you for a career as a Registered Nurse providing direct patient care and the ability to manage and solve complex patient problems in a range of healthcare settings. The curriculum begins in January and includes two summer sessions. You’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination after your fourth semester which is necessary for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Students graduate as an advanced generalist with a master of science (MS) degree in nursing. This program offers the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track.  The CNL is a role in the field of nursing designed to provide master's-­prepared, point-of-care nurse leaders with the ability to manage and solve complex patient problems within a systems framework. and upon passing certification examination, as a clinical nurse leader (CNL). Students take the CNL certification examination in their final semester.  Students complete a clinical immersion experience in clinical nursing leadership, which includes 300 clinical hours. 
Students are admitted with the stipulation that they must pass NCLEX-RN prior to completion of the program. The stipulation is met once the RN license is received. Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN after completing a total of 57 credits of accelerated study. Students conclude their CNL master's preparation with a clinical nurse leader capstone course, which includes a project and 200 clinical hours and take the CNL certification examination in the final semester.

Admission Requirements

A grade point average of 3.0 or better is suggested. Previous course work and professional experience is taken into consideration. Experience in health care is not required.  Prerequisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology at the cellular level, and Statistics with a grade of B or better.   Students who have not completed all prerequisite courses at the time of application may be admitted with the stipulation that all prerequisite courses are completed with a B or better prior to starting the program. 

Knowledge of the basic processes and methods of research is necessary for students entering the DEMN program. While many undergraduate programs include a research methods course, if a student does not have a background in research, he or she should enroll in an introductory research course or introductory nursing research textbooks may be used as self­-study resources prior to matriculation in the DEMN program.

Three letters of recommendation are required.  Professional references should be substantial, one academic reference is highly recommended. Letters of recommendation from family or friends are not acceptable.

Degree Requirements

Students complete 63 total credits.

Clinical Hours: 860*

*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS 813C, NURS 826C, NURS 827C, NURS 952C, NURS 958.

Plan of Study

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

Accelerated Master's Program

The Direct Entry Master's in Nursing Program provides an opportunity for accelerated admission to the graduate program for full time undergraduate UNH students who are not current nursing students and meet admission criteria.  Students may apply during the second semester of their junior year by the posted application deadline.  Application review continues until all seats are filled.  To be considered, undergraduate students must have completed all major requirements by the fall of their senior year. Direct entry courses taken during the spring of the senior year of undergraduate program will fulfill elective credits to complete B.A./B.S. degree requirements at UNH.  A grade point average of 3.2 or better is required. Previous course work is taken into consideration. Prerequisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology at the cellular level, and Statistics with a grade of B or better.  Applicants who are in the process of completing a prerequisite course spring semester must have instructor submit grade to date directly to the Department of Nursing by April 8.  Students who have not completed all prerequisite courses at the time of application may be admitted with the stipulation that all prerequisite courses are completed with a B or better prior to starting the program. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the Graduate Program in Nursing coordinator and their discipline-specific adviser early on in their undergraduate program to plan this course of study.

At the completion of the Master's nursing program, the graduate student is prepared to:

• Serve in a healthcare leadership and change agent role as part of a diverse, complex,and patient-centered health care system.
• Act as a practice scholar to design, direct and evaluate system changes to promote safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care.
• Use data analytic methods, information systems and technology to evaluate,integrate and apply knowledge that will improve programs of care, outcomes of care and care systems.
• Use translational science and analytic methods to develop, identify, implement, and evaluate best practices to improve health care and health care systems.
• Design and implement health promotion and clinical prevention strategies across the health/illness continuum to optimize health and disease management.
• Systematically use improvement methods to monitor and evaluate care processes and outcomes and applies data for continuous improvement and safety
• Advocate for social justice through policy, professional and political engagement.
• Applies leadership principles that support inter-professional practice.

In addition to the Master's Outcomes, the CNL graduate will:

• Act as lateral integrator to design, direct, and evaluate system changes to promote safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable, patient centered care.

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However,  completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.

UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.

Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.