Nursing + Nursing (4+1)

Accelerated (Undergraduate + Graduate)

Students in a nursing simulation lab

Receive Your BSN and MSN in Five Years With Simmons’ 4+1 Nursing Program

Simmons University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing five-year degree program allows you to get an advanced nursing degree in less time so you can make a positive impact on patient care in your community sooner.

This program is available for current Simmons undergraduate nursing students. If you are a current nursing student you can apply for the 4+1 accelerated BSN and MSN program during your sophomore year. If you are not a current Simmons student you should first apply to the BSN program.

Unsure of which Nursing program you should follow? Compare them all and discover which nursing program is right for you

Why pursue an accelerated nursing degree?

If you are seeking an advanced practice nursing degree or know that you want to further specialize in a particular area of nursing, the BSN and MSN 4+1 degree may be an ideal fit for you.

The five-year degree structure will allow you to accelerate your path to receiving both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, jump starting your career in advanced nursing.

Instructed by expert faculty members, you will learn cutting-edge nursing practices and procedures that focus on delivering patient-centered, safe, and efficient care to individuals, families, and the greater community.

This combined bachelor’s and master’s in nursing program develops nursing leaders who improve healthcare outcomes in clinical practice and research. Simmons graduates are ethical, well-rounded nurses who use their intelligence and compassion to improve patient care in the complex medical field.

Access to Boston’s Innovative Medical Network

As a Simmons nursing student you will benefit from the University’s close relationships with world-renowned teaching hospitals and research facilities across Boston, many of which surround our campus. These facilities include Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Through this access to some of the most innovative medical centers, you will be able to expand your knowledge and skill set by completing clinical rotations and practicums, attending lectures and professional networking events and taking advantage of research opportunities.

BSN to MSN Program Outcomes

Simmons nursing students have a reputation for being the best and brightest in their field. Upon graduation from this 5 year nursing program, you will be able to step confidently into prominent, highly rewarding positions across a range of healthcare settings, including:

  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Public Health Nurse

Graduates of this program are prepared to take either the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification exam or the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification exam; some students also continue their education further in Doctor of Nursing (DNP) programs to increase their executive-level management and leadership skills.

BSN and MSN Degree Structure and Course Sequences

Once accepted into this program you will first complete an accelerated BS in Nursing curriculum that prepares you for the registered nurse licensure (NCLEX) exam (after year 4). You must pass the NCLEX exam in order to continue on to the MSN portion of the program, which consists of three components: foundational courses, diagnosing and management courses, and research. During the MSN portion you may choose to follow the course sequence leading to either the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification exam or the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification exam.

Nurses are in high demand in every branch of healthcare. As a result, the BSN and MSN curriculum will prepare you to deliver primary care or mental health care to diverse populations across the lifespan. Course topics include medical surgical nursing, pharmacology, health promotion, health care policy, health assessment, anatomy and physiology, clinical decision making, and informatics.

The curriculum also includes clinical rotations where you will gain hands-on experience under the supervision of professional nurses and instructors. This practice of theory will deepen your knowledge of nursing concepts and help you build confidence in your ability as a compassionate, skilled nurse.

Term 3: Fall*
BSN Portion
Term 4: Spring**
BSN Portion
NURS 228: Nursing Theory & Evidence-Based Practice4NURS 331: Pharmacology 4
NURS 295: Fundamental Skills and Health Assessment 4NURS 332: Medical Surgical Nursing I4
NURS 295L: Fundamental Skills and Health Assessment Lab NURS 332L: Medical Surgical Nursing I Clinical  
  NURS 201: Health Promotion & Community Nutrition4
Total credits8Total credits12

*Plan of Study includes nursing courses only, students will need to take other courses to meet requirements for BSN degree conferral 
**Apply to 4+ sequence

Term 5: Fall**
BSN Portion / start integration of graduate courses
Term 6: Spring
BSN Portion / some MSN portion
Term 7: Summer***
BSN Portion
NURS 335: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 4NURS 334: Pediatric Nursing 3NUR XXX: Community and Population Health3
NURS 335L: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Clinical  NURS 334L: Pediatric Nursing Clinical1NUR XXXL: Community and Population Health Clinical 1
NURS 346: Medical Surgical Nursing II 4NURS: 333 Maternal, Newborn, & Women’s Health Nursing3NURS 347: Complex Care3
NURS 346L: Medical Surgical Nursing II Clinical  NURS 333L: Maternal, Newborn, & Women’s Health Nursing Clinical 1NURS 347L: Complex Care Clinical 1
NUR 660: Evidence Based Practice: Informatics 
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
2IPE 450: Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
3STAT 118: Introductory Statistics****4
Total credits10Total credits11Total credits12

*Plan of Study includes nursing courses only, students will need to take other courses to meet requirements for BSN degree conferral 
**Start integration of graduate courses
***Break from traditional BSN sequence 
****Can take in terms 5-7; must be taken before term 8 

Term 8: Fall*
BSN Portion / some MSN portion
Term 9: Spring**
MSN Portion
Term 10: Summer***
MSN Portion
NUR XXX: Synthesis and Role Transition3NUR XXX: Advanced Health Assessment3NUR XXX: FNP I: Adult/Gerontology I2
NUR XXX: Leadership & Advocacy in Health Care3NUR XXX: Advanced Health Assessment Lab1NUR XXX: FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care2
NUR XXXL: Clinical Practicum 2NUR 424: Advanced Pharmacology3NUR XXX: FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care 2
NUR 410: Research Methods
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
3NUR 402: Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse1NUR 534: Immersion and Clinical Qualification Course 1
CHSC 404: Advanced Pathophysiology
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
3    
Total credits14Total credits8Total credits7

*Confer BSN after Term 8; eligible to sit for NCLEX
**Start Post-licensure in Term 9
***Eligible to transfer online in Term 10 

Term 11: Fall
MSN Portion
Term 12: Spring
MSN Portion
Term 13: Summer*
MSN Portion
NUR XXX: FNP IV: Adult/Gerontology II2NUR XXX: FNP Clinical Decision-Making II5NUR XXX: FNP Clinical Decision-Making III 5
NUR XXX: FNP V: Behavioral Health in Primary Care2NUR 411: Scholarly Inquiry 2  
NUR 505: Family Theory: Health & Illness2    
NUR XXX: FNP Clinical-Decision Making I 2    
Total credits8Total credits7Total credits5

*Confer MSN after Term 13; eligible to sit for FNP certification exam
35 credits post-BSN 

Term 3: Fall*
BSN Portion
Term 4: Spring**
BSN Portion
NURS 228: Nursing Theory & Evidence-Based Practice4NURS 331: Pharmacology4
NURS 295: Fundamental Skills and Health Assessment4NURS 332: Medical Surgical Nursing I4
NURS 295L: Fundamental Skills and Health Assessment Lab NURS 332L: Medical Surgical Nursing I Clinical 
  NURS 201: Health Promotion & Community Nutrition4
Total credits8Total credits12

*Plan of Study includes nursing courses only, students will need to take other courses to meet requirements for BSN degree conferral 
**Apply to 4+ sequence

Term 5: Fall**
BSN Portion / start integration of graduate courses
Term 6: Spring
BSN Portion / some MSN portion
Term 7: Summer***
BSN Portion
NURS 335: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 4NURS 334: Pediatric Nursing 3NUR XXX: Community and Population Health3
NURS 335L: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Clinical  NURS 334L: Pediatric Nursing Clinical1NUR XXXL: Community and Population Health Clinical 1
NURS 346: Medical Surgical Nursing II 4NURS: 333 Maternal, Newborn, & Women’s Health Nursing  3NURS 347: Complex Care3
NURS 346L: Medical Surgical Nursing II Clinical  NURS 333L: Maternal, Newborn, & Women’s Health Nursing Clinical 1NURS 347L: Complex Care Clinical 1
NUR 660: Evidence Based Practice: Informatics
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
2IPE 450: Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
3STAT 118: Introductory Statistics****4
Total credits10Total credits11Total credits12

**Start integration of graduate courses
***Break from traditional BSN sequence 
****Can take in terms 5-7; must be taken before term 8 

Term 8: Fall*
BSN Portion / some MSN portion
Term 9: Spring**
MSN Portion
Term 10: Summer***
MSN Portion
NUR XXX: Synthesis and Role Transition3NUR XXX: Advanced Health Assessment3NUR 426: Clinical Psychopharmacology3
NUR XXX: Leadership & Advocacy in Health Care3NUR XXX: Advanced Health Assessment Lab1NUR 540: Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders2
NUR XXXL: Clinical Practicum 2NUR 424: Advanced Pharmacology3NUR 541: PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan2
NUR 410: Research Methods
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
3NUR 402: Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse1NUR 542: PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management2
CHSC 404: Advanced Pathophysiology
Graduate-level course taken during BSN
3    
Total credits14Total credits8Total credits9

*Confer BSN after Term 8; eligible to sit for NCLEX
**Start Post-licensure in Term 9
***Transfer online in Term 10 

Term 11: Fall 
MSN Portion
Term 12: Spring 
MSN Portion
Term 13: Summer* 
MSN Portion
NUR 543: PMHNP III: Diagnosis & Management3NUR 521: PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making II 5NUR 522: PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making III 5
NUR 544: PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine2NUR 411: Scholarly Inquiry 2  
NUR 520: PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making I: Psychotherapy2    
NUR 534P: Immersion and Clinical Qualification Course 1    
Total credits8Total credits7Total credits5

*Confer MSN after Term 13; eligible to sit for PMHNP certification exam
37 credits post-BSN 

CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) Seal

Nursing Program Accreditation

Simmons University’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education located at 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 and 202-887-6791.

Application Requirements

If you are a current Simmons nursing student you are eligible to apply for the 4+1 accelerated BSN and MSN program during your sophomore year. If you are not a current Simmons student you should first apply to the BSN program.

Excited to get started? Request more information or apply to Simmons today!

Spotlight on Nursing Students and Alums

Claire Tuquero ’26

Bringing Cancer Education to Underserved Communities

Nursing student Claire Tuquero ’26 reflects on her involvement with the Passionate Leaders Project and the clinical training she was able to achieve at several Boston hospitals.


Lisa Aboagye-Kodjoe ’26

Meaningful Mentorship, Received and Given

Nursing major Lisa Aboagye-Kodjoe ’26 reflects on her time at Simmons and her involvement with the Dotson Bridge and Mentorship program, the Honors Program, and Girls, Inc.


Simmons School of Nursing students and faculty in the Nursing Simulation Center, photograph by Ashley Purvis.

SON Alumna Makes Impact in Pediatric Neurology

Beverly Byron ’75, is currently the co-chair of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Fatality Review Team. She is a longtime nurse educator and legal nurse consultant who double majored in nursing and sociology at Simmons.


A collage of the 2026 Bonner Leaders: Ammy A. Cardenes Santana ’29, Gulsah Cayan ’29, Lily-Rose O’Brien ’29, and Mackenzie Oprea ’29

Meet Our 2025–26 Bonner Community Leaders

The Bonner Community Leaders Program is a unique opportunity for students who want to combine a strong commitment to service with personal growth, teamwork, leadership development, and scholarship. This academic year, Simmons announced a new cohort of Bonner Leaders including Ammy A. Cardenes Santana ’29, Gulsah Cayan ’29, Lily-Rose O’Brien ’29, and Mackenzie Oprea ’29.


The 8 SURPASs scholars for 2025

Congratulations to the 2025 SURPASs Scholars

Eight undergraduate scholars from disciplines across Simmons have been selected to join the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs). SURPASs students receive the necessary funding and mentorship to execute an independent research project of their own design.


Associate Professor of Practice LaDonna Christian '16PhD  mentors Dotson Scholar Hayden Lee '24, photograph by Kelly Davidson.

Thriving through Diversity: A Nursing Success Story

The Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program pairs first-generation and other underrepresented nursing student mentees — called Scholars — with experienced Mentors (typically School of Nursing alumnae/i). Sasha DuBois ’08BSN has served as a mentor since the program began in 2009. LaDonna Christian ’16PhD became director of the program in 2010.


A student sits on a bench outside a building on the Simmons University campus

Nursing Alumna Brings Compassionate Care to Baltimore

Registered Nurse and Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program Mentor Amanda Lee Davis ’15 recently relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where she has already made a significant impression on the city’s healthcare community. She is also pursuing a doctoral degree at Johns Hopkins University.


The 2025 cohort of Bonner Leaders

Simmons Welcomes New Cohort of Bonner Community Leaders

The Bonner Community Leaders Program is a unique opportunity for students who want to combine a strong commitment to service with personal growth, teamwork, leadership development, and scholarship. We spoke with Ellie Foss ’28, Jocelyn Miranda Landaverde ’28, Bridget Swezey ’28, and Soraya Timas ’28 about what drew them to the program.