Nursing + Nursing (4+1)
Simmons University’s accelerated five-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program produces nursing leaders capable of making a difference in the rapidly evolving field of health care.
Why pursue an accelerated nursing degree?
The BSN and MSN 4+1 degree is an ideal fit for students who seek an advanced practice nursing degree or know they want to further specialize in a particular area of nursing. The five-year degree structure allows students accepted into the undergraduate nursing program to receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a timely manner, jump starting their career in advanced nursing.
Instructed by expert faculty members, Simmons students 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.
BSN and MSN Degree Structure
Students first complete an accelerated BS in Nursing curriculum that prepares them for the registered nurse licensure (NCLEX) exam. Upon passing the NCLEX exam, they move into the MSN portion of the program, which consists of three components: foundational courses, primary care, and research.
Nurses are in high demand in every branch of medicine; as a result, the BSN and MSN curriculum prepares students to deliver primary 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 students gain hands-on experience under the supervision of professional nurses and instructors. This practice of theory deepens knowledge of nursing concepts and helps students build confidence in their ability as compassionate, skilled nurses.
Access to Boston’s Innovative Medical Network
BSN and MSN degree students benefit from Simmons University’s close relationships with world-renowned teaching hospitals and research facilities across Boston, many of which surround the Simmons 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, our students are able to expand their 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, students step confidently into prominent, highly rewarding positions across a range of healthcare settings, including:
- Registered Nurse
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Researcher
- Public Health Nurse
- Nursing Leaders
Graduates of this program are prepared to take the family nurse practitioner (FNP) certification exam; some students also continue their education further in Doctor of Nursing (DNP) programs to increase their executive-level management and leadership skills.
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
Current Simmons nursing students are eligible to apply for the 4+1 accelerated BSN and MSN program during their sophomore year. Applicants to the BSN program must submit the following items to be considered for admission:
- Completed Application
- High School Transcript
- SAT or ACT Test Scores (optional)
- College Essay
- Two Letters of Recommendation (one teacher, one counselor)
Learn more about the undergraduate admission process, including application deadlines and what we look for in an applicant. If you have any questions as you apply, please do not hesitate to contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office at 617-521-2051 or [email protected].
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 build advanced nursing knowledge so you can make a positive impact on patient care in your community.
Excited to get started? Request more information or apply to Simmons today!
Nursing FAQs
Watch Simmons Nursing students answer the 11 most frequently asked questions about our Nursing program.
Our Faculty
Gloria Cater
Dotson Mentor.
LaDonna Christian
Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program
Margaret Costello
Professor Emeritus
Judith Cullinane
Adjunct Faculty
Sarah Desmond
Adjunct Faculty
Susan Duty
Emerita
Kelly Marchant
Associate Professor of Practice
Sarah Volkman
Professor
Marianne Williams
Adjunct Faculty
Spotlight on Nursing + Nursing (4+1) Students and Alums
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.
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.
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.
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.