Accelerate Your Nursing Career with Direct-Entry MSN Options

If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field but feel pulled toward nursing, you’re not alone. There’s a real appeal to doing work that can change someone’s day (and sometimes their life) for the better. While the traditional route into nursing for career-changers is a second bachelor’s degree in nursing, there’s another option which can accelerate your career growth once you graduate.

If your first degree is in a field other than nursing, you can earn a Master of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry (MSN-DE) with Herzing University. The MSN-DE is a career-focused, fast-tracked path designed to take motivated non-nurses from where they are now to an MSN-prepared Registered Nurse (RN) without earning a second bachelor’s degree first.

This article offers you a guide to how direct-entry MSN programs work, the benefits they offer and what to look for when you’re choosing the program that fits your career goals.

What Is a Direct-Entry MSN Program?

Direct-entry MSNs (sometimes called accelerated or entry-level MSNs) are graduate nursing programs built specifically for students whose first bachelor’s degree is in a discipline other than nursing. Instead of starting from scratch, students build on the education they already have.

Of course, most second-degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs also allow you to transfer in your general ed credits. Where an MSN-DE differs is that it includes graduate-level coursework after completing bachelor’s-level foundation courses.

How Herzing’s Direct-Entry MSN Program Works

Because direct-entry MSN programs include graduate-level coursework, simply holding a bachelor’s degree isn’t enough to qualify. You’ll also have to demonstrate a strong undergraduate academic record. At Herzing, this means your cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) should be at least 3.0.

Applicants will also need to have some math and science prerequisites under their belts. If you majored in biology, psychology, public health or a related field, you may have already completed many of these prerequisites. If not, don’t worry: you can complete them with Herzing before you start.

How Long Our Direct-Entry MSN Takes

At Herzing, the MSN-DE generally takes 20 to 24 months to complete, depending on whether or not you need to take prerequisite courses first. This is the same duration as our Accelerated BSN program (ABSN), which is a second bachelor’s degree for career changers. This means that you can start your nursing career with an advanced degree without having to invest any additional time in your education compared to the ABSN.

Program Format

You can choose from two formats: online or hybrid. Both options involve some time on campus and online classes, but the hybrid format includes a larger percentage of on-campus study. It’s hosted at our Kenosha, Wisconsin campus.

Whichever format students choose, they’ll take all their lecture-style courses online. Most classes are available on demand (“asynchronous”), but there are also some live online classes where students learn together in real time.

In-person components include on-campus intensives, which include hands-on labs and simulations. Online students complete three intensives over the course of their program. These last two to four days each, and are hosted at our Brookfield, Wisconsin or Nashville, Tennessee campuses. 

You’ll also complete 585 hours of clinical rotations—hands-on, in-person experience at a real-world healthcare facility, supervised by licensed nurses. We have a dedicated team that helps you find clinical placements near you. Note that our MSN-DE is only available to students in select states. 2 Before you enroll, you should check with an admissions advisor to make sure the program is offered where you live.

Phase 1: Foundational Nursing Practice Courses

The first part of the program focuses on the core nursing knowledge and skills every new nurse needs. These include health science, theories of nursing practice, and insights into the needs of different patient populations and how to care for them. Some of the topics you’ll study during this phase include:

• Fundamental Concepts and Health Assessment
• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Family Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing

You’ll also complete your first intensives and prepare for clinicals.

Phase 2: Leadership and Research Coursework 

Once you’ve met the foundational RN requirements, the curriculum shifts to topics such as healthcare leadership, evidence-based practice and nursing informatics — the kind of knowledge that prepares you for leadership roles and sets the stage for future advanced practice specialty tracks. Some of the courses in this phase include:

• Safety and Quality
• Scholarly Practice
• Population Health
• Systems-Based Practice
• Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice

This phase includes your final clinicals, plus synthesis and integration courses where you develop a master’s capstone project.

All new nursing graduates, regardless of whether they’ve earned a BSN or an MSN, have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) before they can practice as a registered nurse (RN). Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit the exam and prepare to practice as a nurse. 

However, because you have an MSN, you’ll finish with an advanced foundation you can build on faster when you choose to return to pursue additional education.

Key Benefits of the Direct-Entry MSN Pathway

Save Time and Money

Earning a second bachelor’s degree and then returning later for a master’s can mean years of added coursework, which also means added tuition. A direct-entry MSN offers a more efficient path to an advanced nursing credential.

Stronger Career Positioning

Finishing with an MSN, rather than a BSN, means you step into the profession already holding a graduate degree. That can position you sooner for higher-level responsibilities and for the additional education that leads to advanced practice roles.

At Herzing, the MSN-DE is built with what comes next in mind. You can earn up to nine dual credits toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and the program helps you build a foundation to pursue an advanced specialty through a future Post Master’s Certificate. Post Master’s Certificates let MSN-prepared nurses add a new focus — such as preparing to become a nurse practitioner in a specialty area — without starting a whole new degree.

Choosing the Best Direct Entry MSN Programs for Non-Nurses

Not every program is the same, so it helps to know what to compare. As you research the best direct entry MSN programs for non-nurses, keep these factors in mind.

Accreditation

Accreditation belongs at the top of your list. Programs accredited by recognized bodies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) meet established standards for nursing education, and that accreditation often matters for licensure and employment. 

Herzing’s MSN-DE is CCNE accredited, and Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.¹

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Because passing the NCLEX-RN is a milestone every new nurse has to clear, a program’s historical first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates can tell you a lot about the quality of its preparation. Ask to see them as you compare your options.

For instance, the NCLEX pass rate for the Herzing MSN-DE program in 2025 was 87.61% (99/113).

Program Structure and Clinical Placement Support

Look closely at how each program is built. Herzing’s MSN-DE pairs online didactic coursework with in-person labs, simulations and clinicals, and it moves students through together as a cohort. This model that builds community and support along the way. 

As you compare options, weigh the format, the support services and the kind of structure that will help you stay on track through a demanding program, including how each school supports you in arranging clinical placements. At Herzing, we have a dedicated team that helps you secure your clinical placements.

Explore Herzing’s MSN-DE

To see how one program brings these pieces together, explore Herzing’s Master of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry program page for details on format, admissions and what makes it distinct.

Licensure and Career Outcomes

The NCLEX-RN Milestone

Graduates of direct-entry MSN programs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) before they can practice as a Registered Nurse. It’s the same licensure exam every pre-licensure nursing graduate takes, and a quality program is designed to help prepare you for it.

Job Prospects

As a newly licensed nurse, you’ll most likely begin your career at the bedside, providing direct patient care — the hands-on experience that becomes the foundation for everything that follows. 

Demand for nurses remains strong: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of registered nurses to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 openings for registered nurses projected each year, on average, over the decade.³ The BLS also reports an annual mean wage of $94,480 for registered nurses.⁴

Where You Can Go Next

An MSN also gives you a head start on what’s next. For nurses who eventually want to pursue advanced practice, an MSN can serve as a stepping stone toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Post Master’s Certificate to prepare to become a nurse practitioner (NP). 

Herzing offers many specialty pathways, including six NP pathways.

Take the Next Step

For non-nursing bachelor’s holders, a direct-entry MSN is one of the most efficient ways to enter the profession with an advanced degree already in hand. It’s built around the education you’ve already earned and it’s designed to support you from your first course to the day you become an MSN-prepared RN.

If you’re ready to learn more, the next step is simple. Request information about Herzing’s MSN-DE program, and an admissions advisor will help you explore whether this path is the right fit for your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a direct-entry MSN program?

A direct-entry MSN — also called an accelerated or entry-level MSN — is a graduate nursing program designed for students whose first bachelor’s degree is in a field other than nursing. It lets you build on the general education you’ve already completed so you can earn a master’s degree in nursing without first earning a second bachelor’s degree.

Do I need a nursing or science background to apply?

No nursing background is required — these programs are built specifically for non-nurses. To be admitted to Herzing’s MSN-DE, you’ll need a completed bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. A background in a science such as biology, or a field like psychology, may mean you’ve already completed some prerequisites, but it isn’t required.

How long does Herzing’s MSN-DE take to complete?

Herzing’s Master of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry generally takes 20 to 24 months, depending on your starting point. The program combines online didactic coursework with in-person labs, simulations and clinical rotations.

Will I need to pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes. Like all pre-licensure nursing graduates, direct-entry MSN graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed and practice as a Registered Nurse. The pre-licensure phase of the program is designed to help prepare you for the exam.

What can I do after I earn my MSN?

New MSN-DE graduates typically begin their careers providing direct patient care as bedside or community health nurses. Over time, an MSN can position you for higher-level responsibilities, and it can serve as a stepping stone toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Post Masters Certificate to pursue an advanced practice specialty, such as preparing to become a nurse practitioner.

Why choose a direct-entry MSN over a second bachelor’s degree?

Earning a second bachelor’s (BSN) and later returning for a master’s degree can take more time and tuition than a single, focused program. A direct-entry MSN is designed to be a more efficient route to an advanced nursing credential, and it lets you enter the profession already holding a graduate degree.

Accreditation Statement and Disclaimers

1. 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.
2. Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Bogalusa, Hammond, Houma-Thibodaux, Morgan City and New Orleans-Metairie regions only), Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco regions only), Virginia and Wisconsin.
3. At this time, we have reached full enrollment capacity for prelicensure nursing students from Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma and South Dakota. We carefully manage enrollment to ensure a high-quality educational experience for every student. Please check back for future updates to enrollment status.
4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses (Job Outlook): bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses, annual mean wage (May 2023): bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm