In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, nurses are highly sought-after as leaders. With the Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Mary’s College, you can join this dynamic, life-changing field by transitioning to the nursing profession in just two years. Our MSN entry to nursing program — the first of its kind in Indiana — is designed for individuals with undergraduate degrees in diverse fields who aspire to a career in nursing. As a Saint Mary’s nursing student, you’ll study at our picturesque South Bend campus, where our expert nursing school faculty and world-class facilities will prepare you for leadership roles within the nursing profession.
Dedicated Support in Your MSN Program — and Beyond
Our Master of Science in Nursing is led by dedicated faculty members who understand the current, complex nursing field. They’re devoted to furthering the nursing profession, practicing what they teach and bringing you the very latest in professional theory and technological advances. Our nursing school faculty pay considerable attention to your ability to think critically and communicate effectively — imperative skills for a career in nursing.
In addition, our Career Crossings Office offers workshops, events, and counseling sessions to further prepare you for success in your nursing profession. Even better, as a graduate of a master’s program at Saint Mary’s College, you’ll have access to career services for life.
A Real-World Curriculum for Today’s Nursing Profession
Our Master of Science in Nursing curriculum is designed for the modern healthcare landscape. In addition to traditional nursing education, our MSN entry to nursing program features unique seminar courses that connect you with healthcare leaders in hospital and community settings. As a Saint Mary’s nursing student, you’ll explore the issues, policies, and trends impacting healthcare and work in interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care.
Our direct-entry MSN curriculum also includes experiential learning in several different clinical areas, such as perinatal, mental health, and pediatric nursing. Clinical experiences mainly occur in the two regional medical centers. During your Master of Science in Nursing program, you’ll complete three semesters of clinicals within medical-surgical units and a final capstone experience, in which you’ll be paired with a staff nurse on their patient assignment.
5K
renewable scholarships for all admitted students for Fall 2025
Prepare for Your Career in Nursing With World-Class Facilities
In 2020, Saint Mary’s reaffirmed our strong commitment to nursing sciences with a significant investment in the Center for Integrated Healthcare Education. This state-of-the-art facility in the heart of campus houses ultra-realistic clinical exam rooms, simulation labs, high-tech medical mannequins, advanced observation rooms, and spacious classrooms. As we further expand, this facility will become the hub for all nursing science programs, offering nursing students interdisciplinary access to fields such as speech-language pathology, social work, and gerontology.
Career Outlook for Direct-Entry MSN Graduates
The nursing profession is changing, and nursing professionals must be forward-thinking leaders. The direct-entry MSN program from Saint Mary’s opens doors to a thriving job market in need of dedicated, ambitious nurses. With our advanced nursing master’s program, you’ll gain the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to lead systemic change for better health outcomes.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2022. Registered nurses in top industries earned the following median annual wages:
- Government: $92,310
- Hospitals (state, local, and private): $82,250
- Ambulatory healthcare services: $78,670
- Nursing and residential care facilities: $75,410
- Educational services (state, local, and private): $65,450
With about 193,100 openings for registered nurses projected each year over the decade, the Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Mary’s will prepare you to meet this growing demand.
Preparing the next generation of nursing professionals
Our faculty are excited about the program. Saint Mary’s is excited about the program. You’ll be prepared to work as an RN and take care of the needs of the world today.
– Dr. Sue Anderson, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC,
director of the Department of Nursing Science Doctor of Nursing Practice program