MEPN Program Overview
Earn your MSN degree in as little as 22 months
Developed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, our blended-online Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) is an excellent choice for career changers looking to enter the field of nursing.
As a pre-licensure Registered Nursing program, our Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program accepts applicants who have already completed their undergraduate General Education courses for any non-nursing bachelor’s program. This means you can enroll in our Master’s program even if you do not have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. In as little as 22 months, you can switch professions and pursue a rewarding career in nursing.
Click here to read our MEPN licensure disclosure.
Accelerated Program
No Wait List
Up to 50% off Tuition Your First Semester*
Online Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know
Does Eagle Gate College Offer a Direct Entry MSN program near me?
Aspiring Direct Entry Nursing program (MEPN) students are welcome to enroll at any one of our campus locations in Utah or Idaho:
Can you get an MSN without an RN?
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a degree, whereas an RN is a license. If you enroll in our accelerated Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN), you can pursue your MSN degree without already being an RN. However, our MEPN graduates can take the National Council Licensure exam for Registered Nurses after they receive their MSN degree.
What does MEPN stand for?
MEPN stands for Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN). It’s a pre-licensure Registered Nursing program for non-nurses who wish to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
Why do I need an MSN degree?
The MSN degree will provide you with a solid foundation and future career advancement. It’s also a big step toward becoming an educator, manager, administrator, or clinical nurse leader.
Furthermore, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has reported that employers value graduates of accelerated MSN programs for the skills and education they bring to the workplace.
What is an accelerated MSN?
An accelerated MSN, also referred to as a “direct-entry MSN” or “entry-level MSN” is a Master’s in Nursing program designed for students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. However, nurses with a BSN can also apply to this program.
Look for schools like Eagle Gate, which can be completed in as little as 22 months and offer several scholarships.
How do I start a MEPN program?
To start an MEPN program, you must first have a nursing or non-nursing bachelor’s degree. You should then research and compare different schools and MEPN programs before making your choice. Before enrolling, speak with an admissions representative to learn more about the enrollment requirements, as every MEPN program can differ slightly. For example, our MEPN program at Eagle Gate requires a specific set of prerequisite courses.
We also offer a tuition waiver program for prerequisite courses. You can find various scholarships as well. One is an inaugural scholarship, which covers 50% of your tuition for the first semester. Another is for students currently employed by one of our clinical partners, and it covers up to 50% of your tuition for the second semester.
How long does it take to complete an accelerated MSN program?
Though it depends on the school and location, an accelerated MSN program can typically be completed in about three years. However, our MEPN program can be completed in as little as 22 months.
How much does a MEPN program cost?
Tuition costs for an MSN degree can vary depending on your individual situation (i.e. location, finances, etc.) However, there are several financial aid options available to our MEPN students at Eagle Gate College. Reach out to a school representative for assistance or more information. We can tell you about our tuition waiver program and various scholarships.
How much do MSN nurses make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of MSN-trained nurses was $123,780 in 2021. The top 10 percent earned more than $200,540. Additionally, the top industries in which they worked were as follows: hospitals, outpatient care centers, offices of other health practitioners, offices of physicians, and educational services.
Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 12/31/2022)
My favorite part of Eagle Gate College was their flexible online and on campus schedule. And the clinicals were awesome!
MEPN Program Curriculum
Our MEPN curriculum will prepare you for a nursing career even if you do not have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Through in-person and online instruction, virtual practice, and clinical nursing experiences, you will receive advanced healthcare knowledge and nursing training. Our blended curriculum will prepare you for advanced clinical roles in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, community health clinics, private practices, and public health departments. By delivering a comprehensive healthcare education, our goal is to help you tackle the growing challenges and demands of our healthcare system.
By the end of our program, you will acquire 73 semester credits. Course topics include the fundamentals of nursing, applied pharmacology, human pathophysiology, clinical nursing leadership, and more. You will also be qualified to pursue management positions in your chosen field.
Our Master’s Entry Program in Nursing is designed to help you achieve the following objectives:
- Combine skills in leadership and quality improvement to provide high quality, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare.
- Use current research findings and evidence-based practice to promote health and wellbeing.
- Utilize information management and patient care technologies to deliver quality patient care.
- Identify healthcare policies that can positively influence the healthcare system and improve professional nursing practices.
- Collaborate with professional colleagues to improve patient health outcomes.
- Understand and apply principles for clinical prevention and population health as applied to family, community, and population.
- Assume professionalism and professional values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice.
- Develop generalist nursing roles to meet the changing needs of clients (individuals, families, and communities).
MEPN Program Admissions
The path to your new healthcare career starts by speaking with one of our student-centered admissions representatives. At Eagle Gate, we don’t believe in making our students jump through hoops. We know you want to change your life, so our admissions process is simple and straightforward.
MEPN Program Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a school with accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- Completion of the required prerequisite courses described below
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all prerequisite courses
- Submission of completed physical examination form
- Evidence of personal health insurance
- Evidence of current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification (American Heart Health Care Provider)
- Evidence of completed immunization requirements
- Criminal background check
- Negative drug screening
- Pass the entrance exam as described below
MEPN Prerequisite courses
At Eagle Gate, we offer prerequisite courses in addition to a tuition waiver program*. This program can potentially cover the cost of your prerequisite courses.
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Sociology
- English Composition
- Speech/Public Speaking
- Statistics
- Nutrition
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
Note: Human anatomy and human physiology must include a lab component. Human Anatomy and Human Physiology may be combined courses in a two-part sequence or two separate courses.
MEPN Entrance Exam
You must achieve a total TEAS exam score of 58.7 percent or higher to be admitted to the MEPN program. If you have previously taken the TEAS exam (within 24 months of the MEPN program start date), your score may be applicable. As long as you completed the TEAS exam at an authorized, ATI-proctored location, it will be valid for review.
The TEAS exam may be attempted a maximum of three times within a calendar year.
I chose Eagle Gate College because of the small class sizes, I got a lot of personal attention. I also made so many friends in my program and consider them my family!
MEPN Program Campus Locations
Contact any of our campuses to learn more about earning your master’s degree in nursing though our highly acclaimed blended-online Direct Entry MSN program.
MEPN Tuition & Financial Aid
Out-of-pocket costs for our blended-online MEPN program can vary depending on your individual situation. There are several financial aid options available to our students who qualify at Eagle Gate College. For instance, we offer a tuition waiver program* that includes a maximum award of $6,525. It is geared toward students who have completed a bachelor’s degree but do not have all the necessary prerequisite courses to enroll in our MEPN program.
As an Eagle Gate College student, you can apply for tuition assistance through multiple financial aid programs. Our experienced representatives can help you determine eligibility and apply for those programs. Furthermore, student loans can also be leveraged to help you cover various college expenses, such as:
- Tuition
- Transportation
- Room and Board
- Books
- Computer Equipment
- Living Expenses
Please reach out to an admissions representative or visit the school catalog for more details.
* This sponsored tuition waiver program is available for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to enter the nursing field but do not have all prerequisite courses needed to enroll into the MEPN program (maximum award is $6,525).
Please visit the School Catalog for more details.
MSN Career Overview
Once you have graduated from our MEPN program and passed the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, you can pursue a career in nursing with an MSN degree. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for Registered Nurses and is an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree might prepare you to pursue a career as a nurse administrator, health policy expert, or clinical nurse leader. It may also be considered a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education and set you on path to becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). An APRN career could include several advanced nursing professions, including the following roles:
- General Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Midwife
These healthcare professionals coordinate patient care and can provide primary or specialty healthcare. Although their scope of practice may vary in each state, their duties typically include the following responsibilities:
- Conduct research
- Record patient medical histories and symptoms
- Perform physical exams
- Create or contribute to patient care plans
- Perform diagnostic examinations
- Analyze examination results or while monitoring patient conditions
- Operate medical equipment
- Diagnose various health problems
- Administer treatments and medication
- Consult with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Counsel patients and their families on managing their health
APRN Salary & Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is expected to grow 45 percent by 2030. In fact, around 29,400 job openings for these professionals are expected to open each year for the next decade. Some of these openings may result from replacing workers who transfer to other careers or retire from the labor force.
As of May 2020, the average wage of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was about $118,000 per year or $57 per hour. The top 10 percent even made more than $191,000 each year.
MEPN Accreditation
The master’s degree program in nursing at Eagle Gate College at Murray, Utah and Boise, Idaho is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE).
Public Notice of CCNE Accreditation Visit
Invitation for Third-Party Comments
Provo College in Provo, UT, and Eagle Gate College in Idaho Falls, ID, will host an initial accreditation site visit by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for initial accreditation of our Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) January 30-February 1, 2023.
In accordance with CCNE’s procedures, the Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, comments concerning the program’s qualifications for initial accreditation.
You are invited to share your comments regarding the College’s MEPN Program in Provo, UT and Idaho Falls, ID to CCNE by January 9, 2023. All third-party comments must be written in English. CCNE shares third-party comments only with the evaluation team. At no time during the review process are these comments shared with the hosting program. However, all compliance concerns related to the accreditation standards will be identified in the accreditation report, and the program will have an opportunity to respond to those concerns as part of its response to that report.
If you would like to submit a third-party comment regarding the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, please submit to CCNE at thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org
Or, if you prefer, comments can be mailed to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K St., NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
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