Master's Degree
MSN Direct Entry Program
Online Program Available in Hybrid Format
CLASSES START
Sep 4th
20-24 Mo.1 Program Length | 60-77 Credits |
Hybrid or Online Format | Hands-on Clinicals |
Master's Degree
MSN Direct Entry Program
Online Program Available in Hybrid Format
Comprehensive master's-level nursing education
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited,2 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid or online format; 100% online didactic classes, including both on-demand and real-time learning with flexible scheduling |
| Admissions | Designed for non-nurses; non-nursing bachelor's degree required for admissions |
| Hands-on | The hybrid format includes labs and simulations held at our Kenosha campus; the online format includes three 2-4 day intensives at our Nashville campus |
| DNP Dual Credit | Earn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) |
| QuickPaths | Build a foundation to pursue an advanced specialty in a future post master's certificate program; transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing |
Hybrid learning format
You may be eligible to enroll in our new hybrid format designed for aspiring nursing students near Kenosha. Join our vibrant local community of nursing students and faculty.
Herzing University
Kenosha Campus
Call us
(262) 293-5475Visit us
5800 7th AveKenosha, WI 53140
Hybrid learning format
You may be eligible to enroll in our new hybrid format designed for aspiring nursing students near Kenosha. Join our vibrant local community of nursing students and faculty.
Herzing University
Kenosha Campus
Call us
(262) 293-5475Visit us
5800 7th AveKenosha, WI 53140
Learn your way with Herzing
Our MSN Direct Entry program is available in online or hybrid format at our Kenosha campus that combines the best of both online and in-person learning to fully prepare you to succeed in your career change to nursing.3
Students near our Kenosha campus prepared for a rigorous master's-level nursing curriculum can potentially become a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 years or less.
Didactic, lecture-style coursework is completed 100% online.
You’ll take part in on-campus labs and simulations to supplement your online learning and prepare you for real-life experiences as an MSN-prepared RN.
Clinicals. 585 clinical hours required over the course of the program. Herzing University partners with several institutions near Kenosha as available sites for clinicals. We use a precepted model for clinical experience in our MSN Direct Entry program, and we have a dedicated team to help you find clinical placement as near to you as possible. You are never alone!
All didactic, lecture-style courses are completed asynchronously 100% online. Clinical instructor and peer collaboration requirements will be done via synchronous (live) distance learning, which will be required at times throughout the program.
In-person
Practical, hands-on training supplements your online learning to provide the well-rounded education you need to succeed as an MSN-prepared RN. Our curriculum includes:
- Clinicals. You’ll complete a total of 585 clinical hours over the course of the Direct Entry MSN program. We use a precepted model for student clinical experiences in our online nursing programs, and we have a dedicated team to help you find clinical placement.
- Intensives. You’ll need to attend three 2-4 day intensives throughout the program at our Nashville campus. They will include skills introduction, skills checks, testing and faculty advisement to ensure you’re on the right track.
We work every day to create strong, supportive communities of students and faculty eager to help each other to succeed in their education and work.
You can become part of our growing learning community and discover exciting new career opportunities in the field of nursing.
Classes Start September 4th
Learn More Today
Curriculum
Classes & curriculum details
Due to the rigorous nature of the online direct entry MSN pathway, we implemented several benchmarks to ensure you’re on track to successfully complete the program, develop the knowledge and skills you need to excel as an RN, and position yourself for career advancement.
| Program | Months2 | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing - Direct Entry | 20-24 | 60-77 |
Students who meet the undergraduate general education requirements can complete the program in as little as 20 months (60 credits). For those who do not have the required undergraduate general education credits, this program is a minimum of 77 credits and can be completed in 24 months.
Required Undergraduate Pre-Requisite Core Courses
17.00 semester credit hours are required. The following courses, or the equivalent, must be successfully completed prior to entry in the core nursing courses:
MA 320 - Statistics 3.00
This course presents the study of basic statistical theory and concepts. Topics include statistical probabilities, measures of central tendency, measures of variation, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation.
SC 154 - Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses 4.00
The first anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts related to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as, special senses. Biochemistry, cellular biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.
SC 166 - Microbiology 3.00
This course provides an introduction to the study of microorganisms. It covers normal microbiota and pathogenic microbes. Select topics include function, metabolism, genetics, growth, and relationships to humans and the environment. Topics related to human infectious diseases include transmission, host defense mechanisms, growth processes, and the spread of infectious agents. This course also includes a practical component.
SC 186 - Chemistry 3.00
This course presents the basic concepts of chemistry. Topics to be presented include: matter, atoms, molecules, and atomic structure; chemical bond theory; molecular geometry and properties; writing chemical equations; the conservation of matter in chemical reactions; oxidation and reduction reactions; pH and acid-base chemistry; buffer, and solutions; and equilibrium. Students will also be provided with an overview of organic chemistry and biochemistry. This course includes a practical component.
SC 254 - Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses 4.00
The second anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts as related to the circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and the male and female reproductive systems. Biochemistry, cell biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.
Note: Students must earn a "B" or better in both the SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses and SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses courses.
Required Courses in Nursing
60.00 semester credit hours are required.
NSG 520 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 4.00
This course focuses on the basic understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness with an emphasis placed on cellular alterations in organ systems as they relate to selected disease states. Opportunities will be presented that provide for the use of critical thinking processes to analyze diverse client presentations of selected illness for symptomatology, pathophysiology, and health care implications. Students will be introduced to the role of pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of illness and in the promotion of wellness in patients throughout the lifespan. These concepts provide the basis for the study of drug actions, indications, side effects, nursing implications, and patient education.
NSG 521 - Fundamental Concepts and Health Assessment 5.00
This course focuses on the concept of health assessment as the foundational step of the nursing process. Knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of comprehensive and focused health assessments will be presented. Interviewing, observation, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation skills will be examined. Normal findings, variations from normal, cultural differences and appropriate equipment use will be considered. Students will be provided with opportunities to learn and develop basic competencies necessary to facilitate the optimal well-being of the patient within the healthcare setting in a safe, legal, and ethical manner. Focus is placed on the nursing process, health promotion, disease prevention, professional communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the context of meeting basic patient needs in a healthcare environment. Throughout the course, students demonstrate competence of fundamental principles of nursing practice which are validated through clinical skill performance assessments.
NSG 522 - Clinical I 2.00
This course provides a clinical practicum for the application of concepts learned in health assessment and fundamental nursing courses. Evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, skills/technology, and professional development are embodied and exhibited. The student engages in the application of the nursing process in collaboration with the RN preceptor or clinical instructor, who guides the clinical experience.
NSG 523 - Medical Surgical Nursing I 4.00
This course is designed to further develop and apply concepts related to the nursing process of acute and chronically ill patients. Teamwork and collaboration are introduced to enhance safe and quality nursing care in a variety of clinical settings. Classroom and clinical experiences integrate the concepts of caring, collaboration, communication, cultural sensitivity, community, and clinical judgment to facilitate the wellbeing of individuals and prepare the student as a provider of care. In the clinical setting, students will care for patients with select medical and/or surgical problems in various settings, state knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics, apply the nursing process, utilize information technology, interact with other health care professionals, and practice clinical decision making and critical inquiry while caring for culturally diverse, ill adults.
NSG 524 - Mental Health Nursing 3.00
This course focuses on the role of the nurse in caring for patients with alterations in mental health. Focus is placed on the nursing process framework with emphasis on assessment, therapeutic communication, neurobiological and psychosocial theories, pharmacology, and current practices related to the care of the mentally ill. Interventions focus on aspects of care to include professional communication, patient and family teaching, review of community resources, and practical application in various clinical settings.
NSG 525 - Clinical II 3.00
This course provides a clinical practicum for the application of concepts learned in mental health and medical surgical nursing courses. Evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, skills/technology, and professional development are embodied and exhibited. The student engages in the application of the nursing process in collaboration with the RN preceptor or clinical instructor, who guides the clinical experience.
NSG 526 - Family Nursing 4.00
This course introduces the student to family-centered care and the health needs of the childbearing family. Students review concepts, skills, and techniques needed to care for culturally diverse maternal, infant, and pediatric patients and their families. The nursing process is utilized to emphasize the concepts of family-centered care, collaboration, communication, cultural competence, and community. The clinical experiences focus on concepts and skills required to provide safe and evidence-based care in a variety of clinical settings.
NSG 527 - Medical Surgical Nursing II 5.00
This course expands on previous nursing knowledge and skills to provide care to patients that have complex health alterations in a variety of clinical settings. Students will explore the concepts of professionalism, collaboration, communication, and cultural competency within the context of illness and their role as provider of care, educator, and patient advocate. In the clinical setting, students will care for selected patients in various settings, applying knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics for patients with medical and/or surgical problems. Focused on nursing care of complex patients, families, and groups in unstable situations with unpredictable outcomes. The course focuses on nursing practice that facilitates the wellbeing of individuals within the context of critical or complex illness and continues in preparing the student as a provider of care. In the clinical setting, students care for selected patients in various settings, integrating knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics for patients with acute or complex medical and/or surgical problems.
NSG 528 - Clinical III 3.00
This course provides a clinical practicum for the application of concepts learned in maternity, newborn, pediatric, and advanced medical surgical nursing courses. Evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, managing care, management/leadership, skills/technology, and professional development are embodied and exhibited. The student engages in the application of the nursing process in collaboration with the RN preceptor or clinical instructor, who guides the clinical experience.
NSG 621 - Clinical IV 3.00
This course provides a clinical practicum for the application of concepts learned throughout the program. Evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, managing care, management/leadership, skills/technology, and professional development are embodied and exhibited. The student engages in the application of the nursing process in collaboration with the RN preceptor or clinical instructor, who guides the clinical experience.
NSG 631 - Synthesis I 3.00
This course will provide the student with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and skills that increase competence and confidence as a nurse. This course will utilize the components of nursing knowledge gained and translate it into development of a culminating experience with a capstone project. This course requires decision making skills, utilization of nursing science, analysis of data, evaluation and creation of new ideas to help patients. All students are required to complete a final capstone project that reflects mastery of the program outcomes. This course is part one of the capstone project.
NSG 632 - Synthesis II 3.00
This course is part two of the capstone project. The student will implement the proposed project and evaluate the results related to the change/plan. This is a small-scale project to encourage growth of the student nurse as they transition to a graduate nurse. This course requires decision making skills, utilization of nursing science, analysis of data, evaluation, and creation of new ideas to help patient populations. All students are required to complete a final capstone project that reflects mastery of the program outcomes.
NSG 633 - Safety and Quality 3.00
This course focuses on current national and global trends, policies, and challenges which impact health and healthcare delivery. An overview of ethical and legal issues commonly presented to nurses and other health care providers is discussed with emphasis on the identification and analysis of legal and ethical principles underlying clinical judgment in nursing. This course examines organizations from a systems perspective, addressing the concepts of leadership, motivation, and behavior. Strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, legal and ethical issues, and performance improvement are explored.
NSG 635 - Integration of Concepts 3.00
This course provides the student with the opportunity to evaluate his/her strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the NCLEX-RN® exam. Utilization of the nursing process and integration of all previous concepts will be emphasized through the use of case studies, integrated testing, and directed study.
NSG 660 - Scholarly Practice 3.00
This course explores the research process and its contributions to professional nursing practice. The skills related to reading published research findings and utilizing that evidence as a basis for professional nursing practice are developed. This course will introduce, and apply research methods and designs, knowledge-based research techniques, evidence-based practice, outcome evaluation, and evaluation of research processes. Grant writing and national guidelines regarding human subject research protection will be covered. Students will be exposed to the critique of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Ethical issues in research and the value of nursing and healthcare research will be critically explored. In addition, students will be able to develop a research proposal or carry out a quality improvement project.
NU 725 - Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice 3.00
This course will explore information and communication technologies and informatics processes used to provide care, gather data, drive decision making, and manage and improve the delivery of safe, high‐quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards. Students will perform an information technology analysis of their practice and develop strategic planning to direct the selection and implementation of new information and communication technologies for their practice setting.
NU 730 - Systems-Based Practice 3.00
This course applies the principals of best practices, change theory, and improvement and implementation science to the development of innovative solutions for complex health systems to ensure optimal care. Course key concepts include organizational structure, including relationships among macro‐, meso‐, and microsystems across healthcare, and financial and payment models for cost management and reimbursement. Students will engage in a strategic planning initiative for a complex healthcare system which enhances value, access, quality, and cost‐effectiveness, including policy to address health equity and eliminate structural discrimination.
NU 780 - Population Health 3.00
This course examines the healthcare delivery continuum from public health prevention to disease management of populations and describes collaborative activities with both traditional and non‐traditional partnerships from affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes. For a selected population, students will analyze health priorities and the potential for collaboration and partnerships to provide a basis for interventions, policy, advocate strategy, and emergency preparedness.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the MSN - Direct Entry program is $755 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
Requirements
MSN Direct Entry enrollment requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing Direct Entry MSN program include:
| Prior education | Evidence of graduation from a non-nursing bachelor’s degree program awarded by an accredited institution of higher education |
| Minimum GPAi | 3.0 GPA |
| Entrance testing | Aggregate score of 66 on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). No GRE required. |
| i. Students will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA from either a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or master’s degree program. | |
Prerequisite courses
The following courses, or the equivalent, must be successfully completed prior to entry in the Master of Science in Nursing - Direct Entry core nursing courses:
| Statistics | 3 credits |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 credits; must earn “B” or better |
| Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 credits; must earn “B” or better |
| Chemistry | 3 credits |
| Microbiology | 3 credits |
Alternative entry points: if your GPA is too low, or you do not hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may also consider several undergraduate nursing degree options. We offer nursing programs at the bachelor’s, associate, and diploma levels—if you want to become a nurse, we offer a pathway to help you start your journey.
Classes Start September 4th
Waived Enrollment Fee Related
Related Programs
Disclosures
- Completion time based on transfer credit for undergraduate general education courses.
- The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University-Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
View all Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals - Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the Main Campus in Madison, Wisconsin (Madison Campus). Degrees for these programs are conferred by Herzing’s Madison Campus.
Related
Related Blog Posts
Campus & Community, Career Development, College Tips Optimizing the Opportunities of the Clinical Experience
Herzing Staff
Jessica Dickenson
Jessica Dickenson