Reach Your Goals with a Nursing Degree from Simmons
Simmons School of Nursing, one of the nation's first university-based nursing programs, has been leading the way in clinical excellence and innovation since 1902. Today, Simmons offers multiple campus and hybrid options for those with or without a nursing background:
Simmons is committed to offering career-enhancing degree programs for nurses at every level. Whatever your experience level, let us provide the curriculum and resources to facilitate your continued success.
Direct Entry for those entering the nursing field:
- MSN RN – a Master's Entry Program in Nursing
- MSN and Post Graduate Certificate: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN and Post Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- 2-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
MSN Degrees for those with a BSN:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP)
Simmons at a Glance
-
1st
Formal Nursing Program in New England
-
850+
Clinical Training Sites
-
99%
AANP FNP Certification Exam Score
26 points above the 73% national average for first-time test takers in 2023
-
$144,010
Average Wage for Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Explore Our Nursing Programs
For those entering the nursing field
-
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: This program was created for non-nurses looking to become either a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and takes three years to complete. In the first phase of this program, you’ll build your skills and prepare to take the registered nurse licensure (NCLEX) exam then move into the post-licensure portion of the program. At the end of the program, you will take a specialty exam to become certified as an FNP or PMHNP.
-
16-month Direct Entry Master of Nursing - Registered Nurse: This program replaces our ABSN, allowing bachelor’s degree holders the opportunity to advance academically to the MSN, while still preparing them to sit for the NCLEX in just 16 months!
-
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner: This program is created for those with a bachelor's degree wanting to earn an MSN and a Doctor of Nursing Practice-FNP. You'll earn your MSN and then sit for the NCLEX to become an RN, and after earning your DNP degree, you can sit for the boards to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
-
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Similar to our other DNP degree, students in this program will earn their MSN and DNP and become a registered nurse but will sit for the boards to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
-
Two-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing: The two-year BSN program is also available for students who are not yet RNs. This program is designed for those in a non-nursing major or those with some undergraduate credits but no degree. The two-year program is open to students with or without a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re interested in pursuing your nursing graduate degree at Simmons, please join us for one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about our programs.
For those with a BSN
-
Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN degree): This two-year program is designed for RNs who are looking to expand the scope of their practice and have already earned their BSN. While our alumni go on to work in a variety of healthcare settings, you’ll graduate ready to pursue your FNP or PMHNP Certification.
Put Your Knowledge into Practice
We want you to graduate confident in your abilities—that’s why our education goes beyond the classroom and into our Nursing Simulation Center and nearby healthcare facilities. Our Nursing Simulation Center features a variety of simulation rooms and labs that replicate real-world settings and help you gain confidence in your skills in a controlled environment. Our students will have access to more than 850 clinical training sites, and our team of placement specialists will help our students find sites to prepare them for their professional nursing careers.
— Brooke Catalano ’22One of my favorite parts of being a Simmons nursing student is that clinical placements are close by, in a variety of leading Boston hospitals. I have enjoyed patient-care experiences at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Tufts Medical Center, and more.
The Admission Process
When you feel ready to apply, we encourage you to review your application carefully, including your transcripts, resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. MSN applicants (non-direct entry) must also submit their bachelor’s degree in nursing and a copy of their current unencumbered and unrestricted U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license. If you have any questions at any point in the application process, our graduate admission team or student ambassadors are always here to help!
Invest in Your Future
At Simmons, we want to help you invest in the future of your dreams. We provide you a foundation for advancing your career and improving your earning potential. To help you make your decision on where you pursue your graduate education, we keep you updated on the cost of tuition every year and provide a variety of financial aid opportunities each year, including merit scholarships to reward your hard work. If you have any questions or would like assistance through the aid process, our financial aid counselors will be with you every step of the way.
Get More Information
Let us know how best to get in touch so we can share more about how we can help you achieve your career goals.
Thanks for Your Interest in Simmons!
We’ll be in touch with more information soon. In the meantime, learn more about us and how we can help you reach your goals. Or if you’re ready to take the next step, we invite you to apply today!
Explore Our Nursing Programs
For those entering the nursing field
-
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: This program was created for non-nurses looking to become either a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and takes three years to complete. In the first phase of this program, you’ll build your skills and prepare to take the registered nurse licensure (NCLEX) exam then move into the post-licensure portion of the program. At the end of the program, you will take a specialty exam to become certified as an FNP or PMHNP.
-
16-month Direct Entry Master of Nursing - Registered Nurse: This program replaces our ABSN, allowing bachelor’s degree holders the opportunity to advance academically to the MSN, while still preparing them to sit for the NCLEX in just 16 months!
-
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner: This program is created for those with a bachelor's degree wanting to earn an MSN and a Doctor of Nursing Practice-FNP. You'll earn your MSN and then sit for the NCLEX to become an RN, and after earning your DNP degree, you can sit for the boards to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
-
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Similar to our other DNP degree, students in this program will earn their MSN and DNP and become a registered nurse but will sit for the boards to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
-
Two-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing: The two-year BSN program is also available for students who are not yet RNs. This program is designed for those in a non-nursing major or those with some undergraduate credits but no degree. The two-year program is open to students with or without a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re interested in pursuing your nursing graduate degree at Simmons, please join us for one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about our programs.
For those with a BSN
-
Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN degree): This two-year program is designed for RNs who are looking to expand the scope of their practice and have already earned their BSN. While our alumni go on to work in a variety of healthcare settings, you’ll graduate ready to pursue your FNP or PMHNP Certification.
Put Your Knowledge into Practice
We want you to graduate confident in your abilities—that’s why our education goes beyond the classroom and into our Nursing Simulation Center and nearby healthcare facilities. Our Nursing Simulation Center features a variety of simulation rooms and labs that replicate real-world settings and help you gain confidence in your skills in a controlled environment. Our Boston-based students will also have access to more than 850 clinical training sites, and our team of 20+ regional placement specialists will help our online students find the best fit for their needs.
The Admission Process
When you feel ready to apply, we encourage you to review your application carefully, including your transcripts, resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. MSN applicants (non-direct entry) must also submit their bachelor’s degree in nursing and a copy of their current unencumbered and unrestricted U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license. If you have any questions at any point in the application process, our graduate admission team or student ambassadors are always here to help!
Invest in Your Future
At Simmons, we want to help you invest in the future of your dreams. We provide you a foundation for advancing your career and improving your earning potential. To help you make your decision on where you pursue your graduate education, we keep you updated on the cost of tuition every year and provide a variety of financial aid opportunities each year, including merit scholarships to reward your hard work. If you have any questions or would like assistance through the aid process, our financial aid counselors will be with you every step of the way.
Reach Your Fullest Potential
Become a leader in your field and enjoy a more rewarding career with a graduate degree from Simmons University. Apply today with these benefits:
- No GRE score required
- Application fee waivers available
- All degree applicants are considered for a scholarship
- Dedicated support from admission through graduation
Have Questions?
We’re here to help!
If you have additional questions about individual programs, the application process, or anything else at Simmons, please feel free to contact us.