Although Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) does not offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, undergraduate students and individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field may apply for admission to the Master of Nursing (MN) degree to become a RN. If you are interested in becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, you may apply for the MN Prespecialty program, which is the MN degree plus the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC). You can also earn a doctoral degree by applying for the MN degree and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree plus the PMC.
Our fast-moving, comprehensive MN and MN Prespecialty programs prepare highly motivated students to be RNs who deliver high-quality, comprehensive care in our changing health care environment. The MN program of study will equip you to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) to become a Registered Nurse after completing just four semesters.
If you are interested in becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, you have several educational pathways from which to choose at VUSN. The increase in knowledge and scope of nursing responsibilities, as well as changes in roles, functions, and practice settings, require an advanced practice education that builds on a rich liberal education base and a baccalaureate or master’s entry to practice in nursing, like our MN degree.
- Who should apply to the MN (MN degree only)? If you want to enter the workforce to practice as a highly skilled RN, application to the MN degree is the pathway for you. You will complete 4 semesters and graduate as a master’s prepared generalist nurse ready to take the NCLEX-RN and practice as a RN.
- Who should apply to the MN + PMC Prespecialty program? If you want to be a highly skilled RN and transition directly to advanced education to become an APRN (nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife), this is the pathway for you. This pathway, which consists of the MN degree plus a Post-Master’s Certificate, enables you to secure your advanced practice specialty area of choice at the point of admission, and move directly to your specialty level education in the Post-Master’s Certificate Program when you complete the MN degree. You will complete the 4-semester MN program to earn the MN degree, take the NCLEX to become a RN, then complete the 3 – 4 semester Post-Master’s Certificate program (nurse-midwifery and dual specialties are longer). You will graduate ready to take the advanced practice certification exam in your selected specialty and practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
All students entering with a degree in a field other than nursing are required to live within daily commuting distance of the Vanderbilt campus for the entirety of the Master of Nursing program.
Students entering the MN Prespecialty with an undergraduate or higher degree in a field other than nursing are eligible to apply to one of the following specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner *
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner *
- Family Nurse Practitioner *
- Nurse-Midwifery (hybrid format) ◊
- Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner Dual Focus (hybrid format) ◊
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care *
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan) *
- Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner *
- Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Dual Focus *
* The Post-Master’s Certificate specialty component may be completed either with clinical placements within a 150-mile radius of Vanderbilt campus or with clinical placements outside of the Middle Tennessee area (OMTA). As a rule, there are more spots available for applicants requesting OMTA placement.
◊ Required to complete the MN degree within daily commuting distance of Vanderbilt campus. The Post-Master’s Certificate or Doctor of Nursing Practice plus Post-Master’s Certificate will require blocks of time on Vanderbilt campus, but all students must travel to OMTA clinical sites.
The MN program requires strong commitment and continual dedication to learning. There is much to consider as you explore the options for entering nursing.
This handbook is updated annually but is not intended as a comprehensive guide to the MN degree program. Pre-Nursing students should visit the Vanderbilt School of Nursing website at https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu for detailed information about admission requirements.
Pre-Nursing students should:
- Complete the online admission information form so that the School of Nursing Admissions Office is aware of your interest in nursing, https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/admissions/request-info/.
- Become a member of the Pre-Nursing Society (PNS).
- Meet with one of the VUSN-PNS advisors to discuss program questions and to select nursing prerequisite courses.
- Attend an online or in-person information session prior to applying to the program. Sign up here https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/admissions/index.php; registration is required.
- Pre-Nursing students are encouraged to send questions to VUSN Admissions via email (vusn-admissions@vanderbilt.edu).