Nursing is a diverse discipline, and as such programs and prerequisites vary widely. When planning your coursework, please make an appointment with the Office of Medical and Health Programs and bring a list of your top 10 schools to the appointment.
Sewanee prepares you well for nursing school. You will develop the competencies necessary for nursing school through pre-nursing coursework, experiential learning, and our robust liberal arts curriculum. As a pre-nursing student at Sewanee, you will graduate with a BA or BS in the field of your choice. You are then prepared to pursue nursing education at the bachelor’s (BSN), master’s (MSN) or doctoral level (DNP or PhD). There are many pathways to becoming a nurse. Accelerated BSN and direct-entry MSN programs are both designed for individuals who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field. An accelerated BSN allows you to earn your RN license, while in a direct-entry MSN program, you earn your RN license and then continue on to your graduate degree. An example is Vanderbilt’s Masters in Nursing Program. If you are interested in a research career or advanced practice nursing, you should also consider earning a PhD or DNP. The specific academic requirements vary by school, and you should check course prerequisites for each school to which you plan to apply. The Office of Medical and Health Programs is available to help you plan your schedule and find equivalent Sewanee coursework. Explore the information below to learn more and find general coursework suggestions:
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center's College of Nursing offers guaranteed admission to all Sewanee students who meet the requirements through our Partnership Enrollment Program. Sewanee students will enroll in UTHSC’s accelerated-BSN program and may elect to participate in a bridge DNP program.
ABSN programs are the fastest way to become a registered nurse (RN). You can earn an accelerated BSN in 11–18 months, depending on the program. The pace of these programs is intense, and you will earn the same amount of clinical hours as someone in a traditional BSN program.
Direct-entry MSN programs, also referred to as accelerated MSN programs, typically require 2-3 years. Typically, you will cover BSN-level content during your first year.
Students pursuing a terminal degree in nursing can choose doctoral programs focused on practice (DNP) or scholarship and research (PhD). A doctoral degree will provide you with leadership opportunities, such as faculty and research positions.
The Office of Medical and Health Programs (OMHP), partnering with the Sewanee Health Professions Society (SHPS), provides both leadership development opportunities for students interested in tutoring and one-on-one peer tutoring for students seeking tutoring. All peer tutors have not only succeeded in the courses in which they tutor, but they have also been shown to be good teachers and mentors.
Learn more with these available online resources:
Certificate in Community Engagement for Collaborative Change
Work with other academic disciplines to gain collaborative and leadership skills through coursework and community involvement. This certificate program is perfect for Pre-Nursing track students who have a passion and interest in public health.
