Lourdes University announces the introduction of Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, along with Synergis Education, have partnered together to offer a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing degree, which is being offered to students at Lourdes as early as May.

DEMSN graduates, according to a news release from Lourdes University, will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses and to earn their RN license and begin practicing as an entry-level nurse. Graduates will also be eligible to pursue doctoral degrees at Lourdes, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Ph.D.

Following the first students enrolled in the program, another group of students will begin classes in August, the release said. Prospective students interested in enrolling in the program can contact DEMSN director of enrollment Preston Terry at 419-664-3812 or via email at pterry@lourdes.edu.

Designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, the DEMSN is “an ideal program for career-changers entering the nursing the profession,” the release said. Combined with the national nursing shortage, it also yields “excellent and immediate job placement prospects upon graduation.”

“Lourdes University College of Nursing is excited to begin the pre-licensure Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program for individuals who want to pursue a career as a registered nurse and earn their MSN,” Julie Powell, direct entry MSN program director, said in the release. “We are thrilled to offer the same quality and student-centered pre-licensure education and experience like our current BSN program to individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The DEMSN program is an excellent path for obtaining a career as a nurse.”

The five semester program is a 20-month, full time and fully accredited program that will utilize the university’s state-of-the-art clinical training facility and its network of health care providers “to equip students for success.” Classes will be taught in both face-to-face and virtual instruction.

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As a graduate-level program, the DEMSN affords access to graduate-level financial aid, which the release referred to as a “major benefit” for students who may have exhausted financial aid opportunities while pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Synergis Education, which is a higher education workforce developer, said it chose to partner with Lourdes because the DEMSN program “reflects an innovative and modern approach to nursing education.” Since 2015, as the demand for nurses has increased, Synergis has focused on the launch and expansion of nursing degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels.

“Lourdes is the right partner, situated strategically, to aid in providing high quality nurses at the bedside,” Synergis Chief Executive Officer Norm Allgood, said in the release. “This partnership will not only supply bedside nurses, it will position them to impact the nursing shortage, through a cutting-edge workforce program.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lourdes University announces Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing