A graduate program offering a direct pathway to the nursing profession for those with a bachelor’s degree is now available from the School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure University.

The new Master’s Entry to Practice (MEP) program allows a qualified non-nursing Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts student to become a registered nurse while also earning a Master of Science in nursing. Students complete the 71-credit program in six semesters, attending classes full time over two years.

The program will welcome its first cohort of students in January 2023.

“We’ve very excited to be offering this unique opportunity for students with a bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to nursing to be able to transition into the nursing profession,” said Connie Perkins, Ph.D. RN, CNE, founding director of nursing at St. Bonaventure. “This program challenges adult learners to practice ethical and critical decision making in the classroom, clinical arena, and community to become nurse generalists and team leaders.

The curriculum focuses on medical knowledge, nursing theory, continuous quality improvement, shared fiscal responsibilities, and technology integration. Hands-on practice prepares graduates to provide quality and value-based care that aims to promote positive patient outcomes through heightened patient safety and health care team collaboration.

Like all nursing programs at St. Bonaventure, the MEP program focuses on the development of emotional intelligence, which is defined as the ability of practitioners to recognize and manage emotions in themselves and others, and to be a source of motivation.     

Program faculty members have earned Apple Teacher certification and use Apple devices to enhance students’ learning experiences. All students are provided with personal iPads.

Current St. Bonaventure undergraduate students and alumni, members of the Seneca Nation, armed forces veterans, and people who live or work in Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua, McKean and Potter counties are eligible for the Bona Advantage, which guarantees applicants will receive an interview and have their NursingCAS application fee waived.

The Master’s Entry to Practice program is seeking accreditation by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, an autonomous accrediting agency that ensures the quality and integrity of programs in nursing. St. Bonaventure’s other two nursing programs — RN to B.S. in Nursing and Dual Degree Nursing — are CCNE accredited.

To learn more about the Master’s Entry to Practice program, including admission criteria, technical standards, and an in-depth look at the curriculum and courses, visit the program website at www.sbu.edu/MEP.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. St. Bonaventure was named the #5 regional university value in the North in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 college rankings edition.