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 Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) during the second and third terms of the MN program to continue seamlessly into the PMC. You can also earn a doctoral degree by applying for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at the same time you apply for the PMC or during the second term of the PMC.
Our fast-moving, comprehensive MN program prepares 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 after you complete your MN degree, 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.
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 MN program.
After completing your MN, if you want to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, you 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 *
- Nurse Anesthesia DNP program
* The Post-Master’s Certificate specialty component may be completed either with clinical placements within a 150-mile radius of Vanderbilt campus (MTA) 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).
New for Vanderbilt Undergraduate Students Fall 2027
Beginning with the Fall 2027 cohort, any Vanderbilt undergraduate student with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher at the time of application consideration will be guaranteed admission into the Master of Nursing degree program at the School of Nursing. The details for this new agreement can be found under the “Application Process” section of the handbook.