The master's entry program in nursing is an accelerated educational program that prepares well–qualified graduates of baccalaureate or higher degree programs in other disciplines to become advanced practice nurses such as nurse practitioners, advanced practice psychiatric–mental health nurse clinicians, or managers of clinical systems in an intensive program designed for highly motivated students.
The program consists of a 12–15 month intensive pre–licensure educational program leading to registered nurse licensure that must be completed successfully on a full–time schedule, followed by a 2 - 2.5 year period in which students will earn a master's degree in nursing and be prepared for certification and practice in one of the graduate specialties offered by the Department of Nursing.
Completion of the pre–licensure requirements does not lead to a second baccalaureate degree, but to a certificate of completion that will entitle those who successfully complete this portion of the program to take the national licensing examination and to be provisionally licensed in the State of Vermont. The provisional license is effective until completion of the master's program. Students eligible for endorsement as an advanced practice nurse upon graduation from the master's program will apply for an endorsement as an advanced practice registered nurse at that time. Students graduating from clinical specialties in which advanced practice endorsement is not required in this state will be able to renew their RN licenses according to the cycle set by the Vermont Board of Nursing.
Students successfully completing the pre–licensure coursework and the registered nurse licensing examination (NCLEX) will enter one of the following graduate specialty tracks in nursing for completion of the M.S. degree. To view more information on and the curriculum for each program of study, select the appropriate link. No additional application procedure is required for progression.
Please follow the general instructions for the Graduate College application. The following directions are specific to the Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) program, which is the graduate professional program for non-nurse college graduates who want to be advanced practice nurses (e.g., adult or family nurse practitioners or advanced practice psychiatric-mental health nurses).
Please indicate at the beginning of your statement of purpose (essay) that your application is for the Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN). In your statement of purpose, please indicate (300-500 words) your reasons for wishing to study advanced practice nursing, and comment on your plans for a professional career. Explain why you are interested in health care, and what you have to offer to the patients/clients served by advanced practice nurses, as well as the profession of nursing itself. Describe what you hope to attain by pursuing this professional degree, and your strengths and weaknesses in preparation for graduate study in nursing. If you are presently in a graduate program, please explain why you wish to apply to a new program. If there are gaps in your academic career, please address them. Your statement of purpose will be reviewed for competency in writing as well as for fit with the program. Please include your intended specialty.
The application deadline is December 1. GRE scores are required only for applicants who will have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to enrolling in the MEPN program. Students with earned graduate degrees in other disciplines do not have to take the GRE. For those requiring GRE scores, GRE results need to be included in order for the application to be complete and eligible for consideration (ie:. take by October for December application). While there are no prerequisites, students accepted into the program must show evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate level statistics course before the second year of the program. Education in human nutrition, and in anatomy and physiology is strongly recommended but not required.
Note: Background in nutrition and anatomy/physiology strongly recommended, but not required (may be completed at UVM prior to fall clinical coursework)
Total Pre–Specialty Credits: 45–48
*The self–study modules in Anatomy/Physiology or Nutrition may be waived if a student has successfully completed an equivalent undergraduate level course.
**Portions or all of Biomedical Sciences I may be waived if a student has successfully completed courses with equivalent content in advanced undergraduate or graduate level study.
***Basic Statistical Methods may be waived if a student has completed one equivalent undergraduate or graduate level course in statistical methods.
Last modified June 02 2009 02:34 PM
