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Transition Your Career to Nursing
Elmhurst University’s online Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice (MENP) program is the first of its kind in the country to be offered online. It is designed specifically for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields who want to enter the profession of nursing.
Through this direct entry MSN program, students will earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in just 20 months while preparing to sit for the registered nurse licensure exam (the NCLEX-RN) and clinical nurse leader (CNL) certification exam.
This accelerated MSN for non-nurses provides an immersive educational experience in nursing that emphasizes hands-on clinical practice and exceptional skills, with a focus on quality and safety.
You’ll be ready for your new role providing direct patient care and will emerge with the skills of a clinical nurse leader. You’ll also be eligible to bridge to a nurse practitioner role through post-graduate certification programs or a doctor of nursing practice program.
Direct Entry MSN Program
Build on your prior bachelor's degree to earn your MSN in just 20 months.
Prepared for Success
Elmhurst MENP graduates have a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024).
Prepared for Success
Accredited by the CCNE* and ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a leading Midwest university.
Immersive Residency
Gain confidence and skills in simulated scenarios led by faculty in our innovative Simulation Lab.
- 2 intakes per year - Fall/Spring
- 1 on-campus residency
- 20 months to complete
- 71 credit hours & 850+ clinical hours
Is this Direct Entry MSN Program Right for Me?
The online MENP is a rigorous, full-time program requiring 100% commitment. It’s strongly advised that you don’t work, even part-time, to exclusively focus on the program for its 20-month duration.
You will use an online learning platform to complete your coursework and have direct access to your professors and fellow students. All coursework is done entirely online, except for your clinical experience and one residency that will take place on Elmhurst University’s campus, located just west of Chicago. During the residency, you’ll build clinical knowledge and skills through active, hands-on learning in the state-of-the-art Simulation Center.
This direct-entry nursing program is specifically tailored toward second-career professionals who want to enroll in a fast-paced, immersive program to enter the nursing profession with an MSN.
Online MENP Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
Admission requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA
- Prerequisite courses
- No prior nursing experience required
To be admitted to the nursing program, students must:
- Meet certain health requirements and functional abilities;
- Have the demonstrated ability to engage in diverse, complex and specific experiences essential to the acquisition and practice of essential nursing skills and functions; and
- Have the unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical and social abilities required to satisfactorily perform these skills and functions.
Your enrollment advisor will help you determine which prerequisites you need before you can start the online MENP program. You will need 22 credit hours of prerequisites, and completion of the following college-level courses, with a grade of "C" or better in each.
- Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- General Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
- Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
- Intro to Psychology or Sociology (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
Prerequisites for the MENP program must have been completed within 5 years.
If you haven’t earned credits for these courses an enrollment advisor will help you with the next steps.
Online MENP Curriculum Sample
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Examines the structure, function and forces that shape U.S. and global health care delivery systems. Explores current and emerging technologies to support safe practice environments that optimize patient safety, cost-effectiveness and health outcomes for individuals and populations. Identifies policy decision-making in relation to advanced nursing roles. This course provides essential content to exercise clinical leadership in interprofessional teams in health care organizations and to advocate for individuals, diverse populations and the discipline of nursing.
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Examines the structure, function and forces that shape U.S. and global health care delivery systems. Explores current and emerging technologies to support safe practice environments that optimize patient safety, cost-effectiveness and health outcomes for individuals and populations. Identifies policy decision-making in relation to advanced nursing roles. This course provides essential content to exercise clinical leadership in interprofessional teams in health care organizations and to advocate for individuals, diverse populations and the discipline of nursing.
Why Elmhurst University? Hear From a Student
Growing up internationally and spending one-on-one time with nurses due to her brother’s illness has inspired Breana to give back. She talks about why she chose an online direct entry master's in nursing program and what stood out about Elmhurst in her search for the right university. Breana’s long-term goal following graduation is to further her education to become a nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health.
Clinical Placement FAQs Placements
Our clinical placement team will work closely with you to provide a seamless placement experience and ensure your rotations meet University and national guidelines. These frequently asked questions will help you better understand the clinical placement services we provide in our online direct entry nursing program. Download the online MENP brochure for more information.
01
What are nursing clinicals?
Hands-on patient care in clinical settings is a requisite component of a nursing degree.
During your clinicals, with the supervision of a licensed RN, you’ll practice what you learned in the online classroom on real patients. During clinical placements, you’ll have the opportunity to work in various settings and experience an assortment of RN jobs and responsibilities, all while developing your core competencies and expanding your skill set.
Clinicals are very similar to an internship or being an apprentice; you provide care for real patients, but you benefit from the supervision and guidance of an experienced RN
02
How does the clinical placement process work?
The clinical placement team identifies and secures quality placement sites and preceptors in your local community. We manage this process for you so that you’ll have time to focus on your coursework and the core competencies you’ll need to succeed and graduate fully prepared.
03
What can I expect during my nursing clinicals?
Your clinical portion of the program will begin after the required clinical clearances, background checks and on-campus residency are successfully completed. Nursing clinicals can require you to work shifts as long as 12 hours. You’ll work under an experienced RN who will coach you throughout the process. During your clinical placements, you’ll gain practical experience by learning assessment skills, care coordination, patient advocacy and much more.
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How do I prepare for nursing clinicals?
Your placement coordinator will be with you through the entire process by answering your questions, verifying your clearance requirements and walking you through the nursing clinicals checklist. The checklist details the dress code, clinical tools and professional expectations to ensure your success throughout each rotation.
Be Prepared to Lead
A clinical nurse leader (CNL) is a relatively new role in health care. CNLs are highly skilled nurses with a master’s degree who collaborate with and lead the health care team to improve the safety and quality of patient outcomes. Sometimes confused with clinical nurse specialists who are prepared for advanced practice, CNLs are nurse leaders who work at the bedside to continually improve health care processes and systems that ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.
As a CNL, you can work in a variety of clinical environments and will focus on:
- Care coordination
- Outcomes measurement
- Care transition
- Risk assessment
- Implementation of evidence-based best practices
- Quality improvement
When you earn your online MENP degree at Elmhurst, you will be prepared to be a clinical nurse leader in health care delivery across the continuum of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about our online MENP program. Download your comprehensive digital program guide for more information.
A Direct Entry MSN Program allows non-nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field to progress directly toward earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice (MENP) program at Elmhurst University allows you to pursue an advanced degree in nursing (MSN) while developing the skills required to become a registered nurse and preparing to sit for your Clinical Nurse Leader certification.
An MSN degree opens a variety of career pathways, allowing students to combine advanced lessons with clinical experience. Careers that MSN degree holders might pursue upon completion of an advanced practice nursing program include: nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse educator, midwife, telehealth nurse practitioner and more.
The Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice program at Elmhurst is a 20-month program.
Our online MENP program offers two start dates per year: August for the Fall term and January for the Spring term.
Yes, this prelicensure nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
No, all coursework is 100% online, but students do nursing clinicals as close as possible to their local area and attend one on-campus residency. This rigorous program is a full-time commitment that is not self-paced; some courses also include live sessions via Zoom.
If you’re concerned about paying for your education, you’re not alone. Your enrollment advisor can help you navigate the financial options that are available.
No, we strongly discourage students from working while in the program. MENP students may spend 8 to 12 hours a day studying and completing clinical hours. It is best to give this accelerated program 100% of your focus to ensure you are well-prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and become a nurse upon graduating from the program.
Yes, you may apply to the program without having completed all prerequisites, but you will need to show successful completion of the prerequisites prior to enrolling in the program. If you still need to complete the prerequisite requirement, an enrollment advisor can help you identify local and online options for satisfying this requirement.
We encourage you to first schedule an appointment with the admission team to discuss the program and your goals. When you are ready to apply, please have all official transcripts sent to our online records team to ensure the quickest processing possible. They may be sent either electronically or via mail.
If sending electronic transcripts, send to admissionsrecords@onlinedegrees.elmhurst.edu. Please confirm this receiving address when ordering, as many sending institutions have default email addresses in their ordering systems. If sent to an alternate email address, it could create a delay in processing the application.
If sending transcripts via mail, send to the address below. Please confirm this receiving address when ordering as many sending institutions have default addresses in their ordering systems. If sent to an alternate address or office, it could delay the processing of the application.
Elmhurst University
Online Records Processing
1501 Woodfield Rd
Suite 204N
Schaumburg, IL 60173
For any questions, please reach out to your enrollment advisor.
Learn More
Accreditation and Recognition
Elmhurst University is fully accredited and recognized by many national and regional publications.
Meet the Faculty
The professional and committed nursing faculty will teach, mentor and support you throughout your education.
Clinical Placement
What are clinicals and how does clinical placement work? Our clinical placement support services team will answer your questions.
Tuition
Learn about tuition, fees and financial aid options.
