Application deadline:
May 1, 2026
Enrollment deadlines May 31, 2026
Do you hold a bachelor's degree and dream of becoming a Registered Nurse?
Virginia Wesleyan University can help you achieve that goal in just two years. Our Master's Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) Program is designed for career changers—individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree in any field other than nursing from an accredited college or university.
Your undergraduate degree doesn't need to be in a healthcare or science-related field, though specific prerequisite courses and admission requirements must be met. Upon completing our program, you'll graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, positioning you ahead of the majority of nurses who enter the profession with an associate or bachelor's degree.
Earning your MSN before entering practice gives you a competitive advantage in today's healthcare landscape. You'll be prepared for advanced roles and leadership opportunities from day one. Graduates of our program are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and begin their careers as master's-prepared nursing professionals.
Program Requirements
Our MENP Program is rigorous and fast-paced, designed for highly motivated individuals committed to excellence. We seek candidates who have:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of B- or higher
- Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
- Chemistry with Lab
- Developmental Psychology
- English Composition I
- English Composition II
- Microbiology with Lab
- Nutrition
- Statistics
- A demonstrated commitment to the nursing profession
We admit a select cohort each year to ensure personalized attention and a strong learning community. If you're ready to take the next step, we encourage you to contact our admissions team or submit your application today.
Your Learning Journey
At Virginia Wesleyan University, you'll experience a dynamic blend of teaching methods including classroom instruction, hands-on skills laboratory practice, clinical rotations, and online coursework. Our flexible hybrid model allows you to engage with course content on your own schedule, then apply what you've learned through collaborative discussions and practical exercises.
You'll complete extensive clinical hours—well beyond what's required for licensure—ensuring you graduate with real-world experience and confidence. Our state-of-the-art simulation labs recreate authentic clinical scenarios, preparing you to handle diverse patient situations with competence and compassion.
Career Pathways
Graduates with an MSN are positioned to take on leadership responsibilities early in their careers. Master's-prepared nurses bring advanced clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice skills, and a broader understanding of healthcare systems to their roles. This education enables you to manage complex patient cases, drive quality improvement initiatives, and collaborate effectively across healthcare teams—qualities that today's healthcare organizations highly value.
Program Highlights
- New cohort begins each fall semester
- Extensive clinical practice hours in diverse healthcare settings
- Preparation for NCLEX-RN licensure examination
- Small class sizes for individualized mentoring
- Completion in approximately two years of full-time study
Ready to transform your career and make a difference in healthcare? Connect with us to learn more about how Virginia Wesleyan University's MENP Program can help you reach your nursing goals.