Nursing + Nursing (4+1)

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.

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 + Nursing (4+1) Students and Alums

Boston Children's Hospital Main Entrance

School of Nursing Students Train to Work with Children with Developmental Disorders

Simmons School of Nursing students Rachel Takes ’24MSN and Elizabeth Strager ’19 ’21MSN, FNP- C, ’25DNP were recruited into the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND Boston) at Boston Children's Hospital’s Institute for Community Inclusion.


Stacey Pazar Huth

Dr. Stacey Pazar Huth ’87 Shares Family’s Multigenerational History with Simmons

Chemist and biomedical product developer Stacey Pazar Huth ’87 is a leading woman in medical diagnostics and research and development. Her connection to Simmons also involves her father, who helped build the campus, and her daughter, a current nursing major. We spoke with Huth about her Simmons journey, the gender bias in STEM, and her understanding of legacy.


Jessica Reeves, graduate of the family nurse practitioner program

Tips from the World's Most Productive Nurse Practitioner

Jessica Reeves '17MSN is a Nurse Practitioner who is as interested in the well-being of her fellow providers as that of her patients. So she decided to share her expertise in her book, Secrets From The World's Most Productive Nurse Practitioner.


Headshot of Ann Bradley

Lifelong and Ever-evolving: Ann Bradley ’59 Reflects on a Transformative Nursing Career

Even after retiring in 2014, Ann Bradley ’59 hasn't stopped contributing to the medical field. We caught up with Bradley about her ever-evolving nursing career in the fields of public health, school health, and community health.