Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice

Reach Your Life Goals

Follow your heart and reach your dreams.

The Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice (MENP) program at Elmhurst is unlike any other in the Chicago suburbs—designed specifically for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields who want to transition into nursing. Our students come from many different educational backgrounds but have one thing in common: they’re following their hearts into a career where they know they can make a difference.

Pursue an advanced degree in nursing (MSN) while developing the skills required to become a registered nurse (RN) and preparing to sit for your Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification.

Here’s what you need for admission

This is What Leadership Means

You’ll gain more than credentials at Elmhurst. You’ll be a leader, trained in the knowledge and skills that improve outcomes: risk assessment and evidence-based practices; care coordination and quality improvement. These experiences are threaded throughout all your coursework. With close personal attention from faculty, you’ll gain new insights and the confidence to take on informed, reflective practice in advanced nursing roles.

You’ll also gain a large network of teachers and fellow graduates who will support you throughout your career and connect you with employers all over the Chicagoland area. You’ll hit the ground running—tested, proven and ready.

Where Your MENP Degree Can Take You

  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Clinics
  • Research Institutions
  • Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
  • Private Practice

Learn more about job prospects

Program Format

  • Full-time
  • On-campus courses
  • Monday through Friday classes
  • Evening and weekend clinicals may be required
  • Fall start
  • Completed in two years

In this intensive program, it is expected that students are not employed during their time of study.

Learn about our course offerings

Distance MENP Option for Online Learning

The Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice program may also be available to you in a distance format. This format combines online coursework with hands-on experience in health care settings in your local area.

Learn About the Distance MENP Program

The Right People on Your Side

Elmhurst faculty aren’t just experts in their field—they’re dedicated to expanding your reach, with connections, practica and hands-on clinical experiences.

We prepare our students to enter into the nursing profession with the leadership and skills needed to quickly move up the clinical ladder.

Laura Minarich, DNP, CNL, FNP-C

Energize Your Resume, Optimize Your Career

  • RN to MSN Option. Elmhurst also offers a path to the MSN for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree outside of nursing. This option includes an additional bridge course and other prerequisites.
  • MBA Dual Degree Option. Graduates of Elmhurst’s MSN program can apply for the MBA Dual Degree Option, a one-year program that leads to the master of business administration with a specialization in Nursing.

Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing should review the Master of Science in Nursing program.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate learning outcomes are those of the Master of Science in Nursing Program:

  • Synthesize liberal education and nursing knowledge within a systems framework for advanced nursing roles
  • Utilize critical thinking and decision-making skills for optimal individual and population outcomes in advanced nursing roles
  • Demonstrate professional values and standards in ethical practice with individuals and populations and to advance the profession of nursing
  • Implement evidence-based practice in advanced nursing roles with diverse populations
  • Demonstrate accountability and professional development for informed, reflective practice in advanced nursing roles
  • Analyze the organization, policy and financing of systems and their effect on individuals and populations for optimal outcomes
  • Utilize effective communication, inter- and intra-disciplinary collaborative skills and information technologies in advanced nursing roles
  • Demonstrate leadership within systems to plan change and promote quality outcomes for individuals and populations

Academic Standing and Progression Policies

Students in this program are accountable for all standards and policies stated in our Student Handbooks.

Accreditation

The master’s degree program at Elmhurst University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

master of science in nursing
master of science in nursing

Laura E. Minarich, DNP, CNL, FNP-C

Assistant Professor, Nursing and Health Sciences; Program Director, Master's Entry in Nursing Practice
Department of Nursing and Public Health

100% Placement in 2023

100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023

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