Study Options:
	Major in Nursing Second Degree Program This program is for the student who has graduated from an accredited baccalaureate program in an area other than nursing. RN-BS Program This program is for the student who has graduated from an accredited nursing program, is a registered nurse, and has a diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing. RN-MS Program This program is for the student who has graduated from an accredited nursing program, is a registered nurse, and has a diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing. Download the 2006 Nursing Programs Student Handbook

Registered Nurses Program

RN-MS Program
The RN-MS Program is a unique curriculum designed for diploma and associate degree registered nurses who wish to obtain a graduate degree in nursing within a nurse practitioner specialty concentration. The program is individually designed and paced to allow the student to complete the program in three to four years once the prerequisite courses are met. There is no time limit on undergraduate courses accepted for transfer credit. These features, among many others, position the program among the best in the country. Specifics will vary depending upon experience, previous education and selection of part-time or full-time study.

Admission requirements
Students are admitted directly into the graduate nursing program and work closely with the RN-MS coordinator. Decisions on admission to the graduate program are made upon completion of all prerequisites with the exception of a humanities course and statistic course, which can be completed during the senior sequence. Students do not receive an undergraduate degree as they are considered graduate students and therefore are not required to meet all the undergraduate requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree.

Prerequisites
Students must complete the prerequisite courses before starting the nursing courses. In addition all applicants must have a license to practice as a RN in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or be eligible to take the licensing examination. Graduates of an associate degree program can transfer nursing and science courses directly into Simmons College. Graduates of a diploma program will be awarded credit for their nursing courses and science courses upon the completion of a portfolio documenting their career development.

Graduate sequence
Upon successful completion of the first year of the RN-MS program, students enter the core primary care courses and specialty courses for their nurse practitioner program of study.

Senior Sequence
The nursing sequence begins in May. It is expected that students maintain a minimum cumulative average of 2.67 (B-) in the undergraduate courses and a 3.0 (B) average in the graduate level sequence.

Graduate Sequence
Upon successful completion of the first year of the RN-MS program, students enter the core primary care courses and specialty courses for their nurse practitioner program of study. Please refer to the Simmons College School for Health Studies catalog or Web page for further course descriptions.

Sample sequence of courses for First Year (47-48 credits)

Summer I
Math 118 — Statistics (4)
*Elective (4)

Fall
NURS 404 — Normal and Abnormal Physiology (4)
NURS 235 — Integration of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology
NURS 337 — Nursing Care of Individuals, Families, Communities (4)
SHS 410 — Research Methos (3)

Summer II
Elective (4)

Spring
NURS 454 — Leadership and Management in the Clinical Setting (4)
SHS 450 — The Health care system* (3)
NURS 492 — Health Assessment (4)
NURS 350 — Independent Study