Entry-Into-Nursing
There has never been a more important time to become a nurse.
The need for proven, dedicated nursing professionals has never been greater. At the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), you’ll graduate confident, focused, ready to enter the nursing workforce, and prepared to positively impact patient care in a multitude of ways.
At UMSON, we develop leaders who:
- solve complex, persistent, and significant health problems
- are armed with crucial clinical, critical thinking, and discovery skills
- understand how to deliver care that meets the social, cultural, and language needs of patients
- work across a broad spectrum of health care settings, including hospitals, primary care, schools, community clinics, and more.
We offer two entry-into-practice options for people looking to become a nurse:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Complete the last two years of your undergraduate degree in nursing.
Ranked 9 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
offered in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland - Master of Science in Nursing Entry-into-Nursing
An intensive master's program for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Being introduced as of spring 2024.
offered in Baltimore
If you’re committed to improving health outcomes for individuals and their communities, Become a Maryland Nurse and distinguish yourself as a top-tier practitioner who can have an immediate and lasting impact.
The Future of Nursing is Me
Check out this Johnson & Johnson The Future of Nursing is Me video series sharing the stories of current, diverse nurses and nursing students. Learn what drew different students to nursing and why nursing is a profession with possibilities for all.
Why choose nursing?
Rewarding. Practical. Flexible.
The bottom line is that you’ll help people. As a nurse, you can make a difference — that’s an incredibly rewarding feeling that isn’t found in every career.
In addition to being rewarding, nursing is practical. It’s an in-demand career choice that offers a competitive salary.
And you won't find "boring" in a nurses' vocabulary: Each day is different, your options for practice setting, area of specialty, and work hours are flexible, and there are countless opportunities for career advancement and additional education.
Nursing is the perfect path if you:
- are compassionate and understanding
- want to do work that helps people
- are a problem-solver who is calm under stress
- enjoy facing new challenges each day.
As a nurse, you'll apply your best skills, abilities, and interests in one of the most ethical, valued, and trusted professions. (For more than 20 years, nursing has been ranked the most trusted profession, according to the annual Gallup poll on honesty and ethics).
Why choose UMSON?
Founded in 1889, UMSON is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation, consistently ranked among the top 10 nursing schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. Each year, we develop more than 2,000 students (across our undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs) into top-tier nurse leaders who shape the nursing profession and health care in general.
UMSON students are driven to be empathetic advocates who deliver the outstanding care and support patients and communities need. Our students benefit from a curriculum that includes everything from appreciating the history of nursing and the importance of using evidence-based strategies to navigating the research process and evaluating the outcomes of investigation and exploration.
What will I do in nursing school?
As an UMSON student, you’ll learn from experienced faculty and clinical instructors in the classroom, in our simulation labs, and across multiple clinical sites under the direction of our preceptors. You will:
- build your nursing competencies in state-of-the-art simulation facilities
- take part in engaging clinical experiences that challenge you to succeed in real-life situations and teach you clinical decision-making
In these environments, nursing isn’t simply learned; here, knowledge is created and shared, and compassion and empathy are amplified. A passion for discovery permeates every corner of UMSON — driving exploration and fueling the use of evidence throughout your nursing practice.
You’ll learn from:
- faculty who are leaders in their fields
- scientists on the cutting edge of nursing research
- expert clinicians with decades of experience.
While they're a diverse group, they have one main goal: To help you become an exceptional registered nurse.
Additionally, as part of a student body that’s diverse in thought, life experiences, and cultural background, you’ll learn from each other in and out of the classroom, and you’ll work together to ensure you have the understanding necessary to deliver effective care to diverse populations.
UMSON is committed to becoming an anti-oppression organization. Read In UniSON: Together We Commit, Together We Act, our anti-oppression position statement.
What will I do after nursing school?
Once you've completed your degree, you will:
- be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, qualifying you to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN)
- be prepared to succeed in a wide range of health care environments.
Your UMSON nursing degree can prepare you to excel in:
- hospitals
- schools
- clinics
- community settings
- research Institutions
- nursing and residential care facilities
- private practice
- business and entrepreneurship.
In nursing school, you may discover a topic or area of specialty that you want to pursue further.
Your UMSON nursing degree can also help you qualify for advanced nursing programs such as:
How do I get started?
You must complete at least 59 prerequisite credits before beginning an entry-into-nursing program at UMSON. To help you on that path, consider these options.
| Start Here | Details |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offered at community colleges |
Through our Dual-Admission Partnerships, you can work on earning your BSN at UMSON while completing your ADN at one of our partner community colleges throughout Maryland, shortening the time it takes to earn your BSN and preparing yourself for success in the bachelor’s program. |
| BSN prerequisites offered at four-year institutions |
Complete your prerequisites during your first two years of undergraduate education, then transfer to UMSON to take nursing courses during your final two years of study. Through our academic partnerships with specific colleges and universities, you can be guaranteed admission to UMSON. |
| Master of Science in Nursing Entry-into-Nursing Program offered at UMSON |
If you already have completed a bachelor's degree in a different field, you can earn your master’s degree in nursing through our Master of Science in Nursing Entry-into-Nursing Program and be prepared to enter the nursing workforce and lead Interprofessional teams. If you are an undergraduate student at UMBC, our MSN-E Guaranteed Seat Partnership allows you to plan your pathway to your master’s degree easily and effectively, and you’ll be advised to ensure you take the correct prerequisite courses at the appropriate time. We'll also waive your application fee! |
Nursing Quick Facts
371,500
new registered nurses (RNs) needed by 2028
10,000 or more
RNs needed in Maryland by 2025
$71,730/year
annual RN salary
90%
of UMSON’s entry-into-practice graduates employed in nursing within a year of earning their degree
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and UMSON data