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Direct Entry MSN Program

  • Master of Science
A professor instructs a group of students using a medical training mannequin during a classroom session.

Direct Entry – MSN Program with the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration

Start your career as a nurse and prepare to make a difference. The Direct Entry – Master of Science in Nursing at Saint Vincent College will help you to acquire the knowledge and practice skills you need to become a leader in the ever-evolving healthcare field.

The demands of today’s society challenge the provision of quality and safe care to patients, families, and communities. With an MSN from Saint Vincent College, designed for students who have a baccalaureate or higher degree in another field, you will be able to take on that challenge. You’ll stand out in the job market while looking to make a career change, thanks to advanced knowledge and training in clinical and personal skills.

Master’s prepared nurses can lead in direct care roles in all healthcare delivery areas.

An Accelerated Graduate Nursing Program for Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Students

This innovative and accelerated second degree program option is intended for individuals holding a bachelor or higher degree in a non-nursing major.  Prerequisites in health and sciences, gained during your undergraduate studies or in preparation for the Direct Entry-MSN degree program, provide a foundation on which your MSN curriculum will build.

 

Prerequisites Required for Program Entry

Eligible students will be admitted directly into the Direct Entry-MSN program after completing the following required prerequisite courses prior to enrolling:

  • Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab - 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab - 4 credits
  • General Chemistry with Lab - 4 credits
  • Microbiology with Lab - 4 credits
  • Nutrition - 2 or 3 credits
  • Life Span Development - 3 credits
  • Applied Statistics (Inferential or Biostatistics) - 3 credits
  • College Writing - 3 credits

Once these prerequisites are complete, students with a bachelor’s degree in any academic major can earn their MS in Nursing in 24 months of full-time study on Saint Vincent College’s campus.

Note: Prerequisite classes must be completed with a C or higher to count as a prerequisite for the program. Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA to be considered for full acceptance. Any student with a cumulative GPA lower than a 3.0, but not lower than a 2.75 cumulative GPA could be considered for a provisional acceptance.

Program Highlights: Direct Entry - MSN Program at Saint Vincent College

When earning your Master of Science in Nursing at Saint Vincent College, your studies will combine:

  • In-person learning in engaging classes with small class sizes led by expert faculty
  • Practical training in advanced facilities and simulation labs
  • Clinical rotations in a variety of settings across the lifespan of care
  • Quality improvement opportunities to apply independent thought and judgment in arriving at solutions while contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession

During your first three semesters, you’ll take prelicensure nursing courses to gain the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for passing the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Coursework during your last three semesters completes the requirements for a graduate degree and eligibility to sit for national Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification.

By the time you graduate, you will have earned 76 academic credits along with 1,080 hours of hands-on training in settings like medical-surgical acute care, geriatrics, surgery, behavioral health, pediatrics, OB-GYN, emergency room nursing, ICU care, and community health settings.

Click here to view the curriculum plan by semester.

Career Outcomes: Success Opportunities with an MSN

After graduating from SVC’s Direct Entry MSN program, you will be prepared to take the NCLEX exam to earn your Registered Nurse (RN) license. You will also be eligible to gain national certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), positioning you for long-term career success:

  • Pennsylvania is expected to need more than 160,000 new RNs by 2030—fifth most in the nation.
  • Only 17% of America’s registered nurses hold a master’s degree.
  • Master’s-prepared nurses with a CNL skill set are crucial to leading nurses and health care teams to provide evidence-based, equitable, high-quality care with robust patient outcomes.
  • Among CNLs prepared through Direct Entry MSN programs, 95% were employed in nursing positions two to five years after graduation and 89% were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their educational preparation.

Graduates will also have the foundation to move into a DNP or PhD doctoral nursing program.

 

Student Spotlight

  • Portrait of a smiling young man with dark hair wearing a blue jacket.

    Kishuan Sutaria

    "Saint Vincent’s graduate program has accelerated my knowledge of providing efficient patient-centered care. The program holds true to its rigorous curriculum; however, I was still able to have time to stay connected with my family, friends, and pastimes I love.”

  • Professional headshot of a woman with long, wavy hair wearing a pink blazer and gold earrings.

    Wan Guo

    “I’ve learned so much in the past few years that I plan on utilizing in my practice. Our professors truly care about our understanding of the materials presented and make it a point to be available for any questions. The bonds that I’ve created through school will stay with me throughout my lifetime.”
  • A smiling young man with short hair and a beard, wearing a casual outfit and jewelry.

    Manny Amoyaw

    "Saint Vincent College’s graduate-level nursing program has been truly transformative, enriching my academic, professional, and personal growth. Academically, it has significantly expanded my clinical expertise and has honed my critical thinking, laying a solid foundation for delivering exceptional patient care. On a personal level, the program has introduced me to a faculty that embodies compassion, consistently offering unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance. This nurturing environment has not only shaped my skills but has also inspired me to integrate compassion and empathy into every aspect of my practice.”

The Benefits of a Saint Vincent College Education

Enrolling in Saint Vincent College’s Direct Entry-MSN program immerses you in the foundations of a Benedictine, liberal arts education that goes beyond career skills. In addition to excellent clinical preparation, students develop and nurture their emotional intelligence. That emphasis benefits patients and providers alike, across the four spheres of healthcare.

SVC’s affiliation with regional health systems creates premier practical experience opportunities. Meanwhile, all students benefit from mentorships with professors who are expert practitioners in the nursing field.

While on campus, Direct Entry-MSN students gain practice knowledge and refine their clinical skills through laboratory, extended reality, and high-fidelity simulation labs. Upon the completion of construction in April 2026, all students will take classes and gain practical skills in Rhodora and John Donahue Hall and the David Scaife Family Foundation Center of Excellence and Innovation in Nursing

Resources for Nursing MS Students at Saint Vincent College

Students at Saint Vincent College benefit from a wide range of resources designed to help them succeed academically and personally, including:

The registrar’s office provides a comprehensive overview of graduate policies and support services in its annual Graduate Student Bulletin.

Admissions Information and Next Steps

Enroll in our accelerated, full time graduate program to earn your Master of Science in Nursing degree and begin your nursing career. Interested students can request information online or contact the Department of Nursing at 724-805-2829 or nursing @stvincent.edu for more information.

 

Program Approval and Accreditation

The Program meets the requirements set forth by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing as a fully approved program within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The direct entry-master's degree in nursing program at Saint Vincent College is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

As you may know now, the Department of Nursing is seeking CCNE accreditation. In accordance with CCNE accreditation procedures, we extend the opportunity to our communities of interest, i.e. faculty, students, alumni, clinical partners, consumers and community at large to submit written comments regarding our academic programs. Please see the attached letter for instructions and take some time to help us along with this process.

 

Program Distinctives

Nursing Program Mission Statement

The Saint Vincent College Department of Nursing, through an interprofessional learning model, will graduate healthcare professionals who will be prepared to provide safe, quality, holistic, scientifically sound, and patient-centered care while optimizing the health and well-being of diverse populations and communities for the betterment of humanity. 

Nursing Program Vision Statement

The Saint Vincent College Department of Nursing aims to be a leader in interprofessional education preparing the next generation of health care nursing professionals. The Department of Nursing will incorporate the diverse academic programs and infrastructure of Saint Vincent College, as well as the significant clinical activities and educational resources of diverse organizations across the surrounding region.

Expected DE-MSN Program Outcomes
The DE-MSN program is designed to prepare graduates who, upon graduation:

  • Are competent, compassionate nurses who provide equitable, evidence-based, culturally sensitive care to individuals, families, groups, and communities, including vulnerable populations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the context in which professional nurses practice, including the biobehavioral, cultural, political, environmental, economic, ethical, legal, scientific, and spiritual dimensions.
  • Exhibit commitment to self-development and the advancement of the profession of nursing through participation in educational, community, and organizational activities.
  • Demonstrate clinical leadership for patient-care practices and delivery, including the design, coordination, and evaluation of care outcomes for individuals, families, groups, and populations.
  • Lead health care teams to deliver safe, quality, and equitable health care that improves outcomes for patients, clients, and staff across all spheres of care.

DE-MSN Student Learning Outcomes

  • Integrate knowledge from the biophysical and behavioral sciences, humanities and Benedictine wisdom into the evolving art and science of nursing practice.
  • Deliver person-centered nursing care to individuals and families across the life span and spheres of care that is grounded in evidence, compassion and ethical conduct.
  • Participate in community organizations and partnerships to deliver equitable population-based health care that promotes health, diversity, inclusion, and manages disease, and respects social and health traditions and choices.
  • Evaluate and integrate current evidence, quality improvement methodologies, and informatics to design, implement, and assess interventions that improve clinical outcomes and healthcare delivery within diverse practice settings.
  • Facilitate interprofessional collaboration and care coordination to optimize patient and population health outcomes, reduce health disparities, and ensure equitable access to high-quality care.
  • Demonstrate leadership by managing care at the point of service, evaluating healthcare outcomes, leading quality and safety initiatives, and fostering continuous improvement within healthcare microsystems.

 

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