Nursing is more of a calling than a profession. It requires strong critical thinking and communication skills and informed clinical judgment. Alverno College’s Direct Entry MSN program is designed for professionals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree looking to transition to a career in nursing. Students earn a BSN and MSN, and graduates are prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
This accelerated program is a streamlined path for aspiring nurses. The Accelerated DEMSN is an intensive, full-time graduate program that takes place over 18-20 months of study and is offered at Alverno’s Milwaukee and Mesa locations. The 9-semester DEMSN, which can be completed in about three years, is offered exclusively at the Milwaukee campus. The second option is ideal for students who would prefer to study at a more moderate pace.
What Skills Do Nurses Need Today?
The healthcare landscape is becoming more complex. Nurses must be able to think quickly, act humanely and lead with confidence. Sherringford notes that, “The field of nursing is dynamic, demanding continuous growth…to meet the evolving complexities of healthcare.”
Alverno’s Direct Entry MSN program equips students with the skills required to provide safe, patient-driven care. The program builds key core competencies in areas such as:
Critical thinking and clinical judgment: Nurses are in a constant process of decision-making. Critical thinking is needed to interpret lab results, recognize signs and symptoms quickly, and make prompt, effective decisions. The curriculum developed by Alverno focuses on hands-on clinical practice, providing students with simulation labs and clinical experiences. Courses like Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research assist students with interpreting data and turning research into action.
Communication skills: Communication skills in nursing can potentially save lives. They enable nurses to explain discharge instructions to patients or raise concerns with providers. According to the American Sentinel Resource Network, one of the leading causes of medical errors is communication breakdown. Students at Alverno learn how to participate in meaningful discussions, give brief reports and coordinate with multidisciplinary team members.
Leadership skills: Ineffective nurses are reactive. Strong nurses are proactive. Alverno’s curriculum emphasizes leadership, particularly in courses like Nursing Leadership and Management. Students learn to anticipate problems, delegate tasks, resolve conflicts and make ethical decisions, all of which are essential to successful care management and collaboration with teams.
Hands-on clinical expertise: No nurse can succeed without strong clinical skills. Daily nursing tasks involve a range of procedures and testing including IV insertion and reading vital signs. By taking part in live labs and more than 700 clinical hours in various environments, Alverno graduates are prepared to practice in the real world.
Adaptability and lifelong learning: Nursing is not static; new technologies, treatments and protocols are evolving daily. Alverno students learn to be adaptive and receptive to new trends and evidence-based practices so they can continue growing in the profession after they graduate.
A Nursing College That Prepares Students for More
Unlike other programs, Alverno integrates both a BSN and MSN into its Direct Entry path. This saves time, enabling graduates to begin practicing sooner. The program’s emphasis on reflective learning also makes Alverno special. Students are motivated to self-evaluate their performance, receive feedback and develop through experience.
Developing both hard and soft skills helps nurses adapt to the ever-evolving changes in healthcare. With campuses located in Milwaukee and Mesa, Alverno combines rigorous, abilities-based coursework with hands-on experience in labs on campus. Graduates complete the program ready to lead with integrity and communicate with compassion, whether they are in a hospital room or a boardroom.
Learn more about Alverno College’s Direct Entry MSN program.