Program Overview
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It is never too late to pursue your goal of becoming a Registered Nurse, and the University of San Diego is here to help you achieve it.
The Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) provides a direct route into the nursing profession for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. This graduate-level program is designed for career changers and students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Graduates earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Students gain extensive, hands-on training in the advanced Dickinson Nursing Simulation Center, where they apply skills in realistic clinical scenarios with professional actors serving as standardized patients. Guided by USD’s mission of academic excellence and social justice, the program also offers outreach experiences in underserved communities. This approach prepares graduates to provide exceptional patient care, lead with cultural humility, and advocate for health equity in diverse settings.
Master’s Entry Program in Nursing
The 18-month program offers two admission cycles per year, in the fall and spring semesters, and includes four full-time academic terms. It combines advanced nursing theory with hands-on clinical training and leadership development. Students gain the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care and take on leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings.
FREE RESOURCE FOR ASPIRING RNs
A Guide to the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing at USD
Our direct-entry program ranks among the best in the nation. Learn more in this free resource, including how our program can help you reach your goal of becoming a licensed Registered Nurse.
MEPN Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing will be able to:
- Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge derived from the physical sciences, behavioral sciences, humanities, and nursing theory as a foundation for professional nursing practice.
- Use current research findings to promote the health and welfare of individuals, families, and populations.
- Apply clinically and culturally appropriate information technology to support high-quality healthcare.
- Collaborate with consumers and colleagues in the delivery and coordination of healthcare services.
- Identify and influence factors that impact healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes.
- Assume responsibility and accountability for ethical, legal, and professional nursing practice.
- Develop and perform in generalist nursing roles to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families, and populations.
- Demonstrate awareness of global influences, such as environmental and cultural factors, on health and healthcare delivery.
- Use the nursing process collaboratively to address health promotion, illness prevention, restoration, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care, incorporating culturally sensitive primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions as needed.
- Integrate risk anticipation and assessment strategies into the design, implementation, and evaluation of safe, evidence-based care.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re wondering about it, others are too!
Please review the application deadlines and requirements for detailed information about the admissions process, required materials, and eligibility criteria.
No. The MEPN program is an accelerated, full-time program that requires a full-time commitment.
The MEPN program is highly rigorous and time-intensive, with course schedules that can vary each semester. To succeed, students must prioritize their academic and clinical responsibilities. While it is possible to work a limited number of hours, we strongly advise against working more than 16 hours per week. Night shifts are not recommended.
Yes. All MEPN students must complete a comprehensive Department of Justice background check and drug screening on an annual basis. A clear background check and drug screen are required to participate in clinical placements.
The MEPN program consists of 58 total units: 38 units of classroom-based theory and 20 units of clinical practicum. Students complete 960 hours of hands-on training in hospital and community healthcare settings.
MEPN students begin their clinical education in small groups, gaining hands-on experience across a variety of healthcare settings. As the program progresses, students transition into a one-on-one preceptorship, where they are paired with a registered nurse and follow their assigned shifts. While clinical faculty are not present every day, they provide ongoing support throughout the experience. This structure is intentionally designed to build confidence and ease the transition into professional nursing practice.
Clinical rotations primarily take place in hospital settings throughout San Diego County, within a 100-mile radius of the USD campus. Students may also gain experience in a variety of community-based healthcare environments.
Yes. Applicants must complete certain prerequisite courses for applying, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology (with labs), psychology, and statistics. Minimum grade requirements apply. For a full list and course guidelines, please visit the MEPN overview.
Not directly. MEPN graduates can become licensed registered nurses after passing the NCLEX-RN. To become a Nurse Practitioner, you'll typically need 1–2 years of RN experience before applying to a post-master’s certificate or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, where you'll receive the specialized training required for NP certification.
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