Master of Science - Nurse Practitioner (MSN)

You may be considering pursuing your MSN to become a nurse practitioner (NP) because you’re looking for greater autonomy and less direct supervision. You might be attracted to the average salary for nurse practitioners - $118,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You surely value the job outlook of a field expected to grow an average of 31 percent between 2016 and 2026, adding 64,000 jobs and outpacing the growth for all occupations by more than four times. Whatever else is motivating your search, every NP is motivated by a desire to have a real, lasting impact on the quality of life for patients through a holistic approach to health and wellness.

It’s no wonder that nurse practitioner currently ranks #2 on the Best Job list according to U.S. News and World Report. Or that 96% of NPs “are pleased with their chosen profession” based on the 2017 Medscape Nurse Career Satisfaction Report.

As much as nurse practitioners are fulfilled by their career choice, patients report an even greater satisfaction with their selection of an NP as their healthcare professional. A survey by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) found that NPs received an almost perfect score – 9.8 out of 10. NP listening skills were ranked at 80% compared to 50% of physician patients.

We invite you to download the Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Practitioner flyer to hear what a student has to say about their experience and more!

In a recent follow up survey with graduates, we asked “What do you see as the strengths of the Regis College nursing curriculum?,” one graduate cited the “Comprehensive material review and test preparation,” while another wrote, “I felt very prepared for my board exams.”

But the most frequent comments were about “The expertise and knowledge of the faculty,” all of whom, another graduate wrote, were “amazing.” Classroom professors and NP clinical faculty are practicing NPs, many with 10 years or more of experience. This expertise is brought back to the classroom. One graduate praised “the commitment to success of students by faculty,” while another noted “the different methodologies of teaching to ensure the success of all students.” Alumni valued the resources for graduate students: a writing and tutoring center, highly personalized curriculum planning, collaborative clinical placement staff providing on-campus students with support in pursuit of the most desirable clinical placements and 1:1 tutoring and guidance.

They appreciate the opportunity to have specialized in a particular track (family, pediatric, women’s health, adult-gerontology and psychiatric-mental health) while learning about them all.

Most of all, NP graduates enter their profession confident that the reputation of Regis will be an invaluable calling card in the nursing community.

Nurse practitioners perform physical exams, giving health and wellness advice, and writing prescriptions for patients in hospitals, clinics and private practices.

Upon graduating from our Master of Science Nurse Practitioner program, you will have the skills necessary to provide care directly to patients. Depending on the state which you practice in you could have the autonomy to care for patients without supervision or the state may require physician oversight. To date, 28 states have autonomy. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to sit for national certification.

All Regis College MSN students are expected to complete a 24-credit core curriculum, as well as a number of elective credits specific to their chosen concentration or track. For the psychiatric-mental health track, there are 25 required credits; all other tracks require 22 additional credits. The core curriculum consists of coursework in advanced pathophysiology, nursing theory, research, pharmacology, leadership, and more.

Clinical placements provide the opportunity to learn from professionals in the nursing field. Recent placements include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Franciscan Hospital and Rosie’s Place. Graduates of this program are currently working at Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, and the Veterans Administration.

Experience what makes our program unique before committing full-time. Take up to two of the following graduate courses before applying or being accepted into the program (note that the completion of the courses does not guarantee acceptance). Contact the graduate admission office to learn more. Please note that this applies to the on-campus MS in Nursing program only.

• NU 601 Nursing Theory
• NU 605 Concepts in Nursing Leadership
• HP 609 Health Policy, Politics, and Perspectives
• NU 606 Advanced Pathophysiology

Please note that applications for any given term must be completed no later than two weeks prior to the term start date in order to be considered for that term.

The Master of Science in Nursing is designed for students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Transfer up to nine credits into the program.

1. Completed application via the online application portal
2. Official transcripts from every institution attended including undergraduate degree, transfer credits (both undergraduate and graduate) and prerequisites courses
3. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
4. Completed prerequisite statistics course
5. Resume
6. Statement of Purpose
7. Two letters of recommendation
8. Interview
9. A history of an unencumbered registered nurse license is required

Please note that the GRE is not required for the Master of Science in Nurse Practitioner program.