Nursing, Nurse Practitioner,
and Certified Nurse Midwife Careers
Nurses provide hands-on, highly personalized care and serve as a critical link between patients, families, and the rest of the care team. Nurses educate patients and communities on health and disease prevention, develop and manage care plans, and advocate for patients throughout their treatment. Because the role is collaborative rather than solitary, nursing can be a strong fit for students who want direct patient contact and a team-based clinical environment.
For most Wesleyan students and alumni, who already hold (or are completing) a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, there are two realistic entry points into the profession: an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) or a Direct-Entry MSN. Both are designed specifically for those with a prior bachelor’s degree, and both lead to RN licensure. Beyond entry-level RN practice, many nurses go on to specialize—including as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), a path covered later on this page.
Some resources to explore if you are interested in learning more include: Nursing Drives Transformation, ExploreHealthCareers.org, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
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Degree Paths to Nursing
There are several routes to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).
The right one depends on your educational background, timeline, budget, and goals.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) ABSN programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a different field. These intensive programs (typically 12–18 months) build on your prior coursework and allow you to earn a BSN and sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam much faster than a traditional 4-year BSN. For most Wesleyan students and alumni, this is the fastest and most direct route into nursing practice.
A BSN (whether earned via ABSN or otherwise) is preferred by many hospitals over an ADN (see “Other Paths to RN” below), and also provides a stronger foundation in research, leadership, and public health, as well as an easier transition into graduate nursing programs like Nurse Practitioner (NP), Master in Science in Nursing (MSN), or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) later on, if you choose to specialize. Click to learn more about accelerated nursing programs.
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Direct-Entry MSN programs are also designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, but combine RN preparation with graduate-level training in a single program. The first phase prepares you for RN licensure (similar to a BSN); the second phase focuses on advanced practice (e.g., NP) or leadership/educator training.
Direct-Entry MSN programs are typically longer (2–3 years) and more expensive than ABSN programs. Not all Direct-Entry MSN programs lead directly to NP certification, so students would want to confirm this with individual programs if advanced practice is the goal.
Choosing Between ABSN & Direct-Entry MSN
If your primary goal is to become an RN as quickly as possible, ABSN is usually the better fit. If you already know you want to pursue NP or another advanced practice role, a Direct-Entry MSN may save you a step.
Other Paths to RN
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a traditional BSN (for students without a prior bachelor’s degree) are other common paths to RN licensure, but they are generally not relevant for Wesleyan students or alumni who already hold a bachelor’s degree. An ADN is the fastest, most affordable route to becoming an RN, but neither degree is typically relevant for someone who already holds a Bachelor’s degree.
Course Requirements
Course requirements vary by program, but most ABSN and Direct-Entry MSN programs share a similar set of prerequisites. Always confirm requirements with individual schools or through NursingCAS.
Because nursing programs generally require human anatomy and physiology with labs, Wesleyan students will need to fulfill this coursework elsewhere prior to their application, such as at a community college, through a summer program, or potentially through a nursing program if it is built into the curriculum.
See below for the common pre-requisite courses for nursing.
STEM Courses
Required Science Courses
- General Chemistry I & II with Lab
- Anatomy & Physiology with Lab – not currently offered at Wesleyan
- Microbiology with Lab – not currently offered at Wesleyan
Required Mathematics
- Calculus (where required) is usually satisfied by:
- MATH 119 & 120 (Elements of Calculus Part I & II)
- Statistics (where required) is commonly satisfied by any of:
- MATH 132 – Elementary Statistics (or higher)
- PSYC 200 – Statistics: An Activity-Based Approach
- QAC 201 – Applied Data Analysis
- ECON 300 – Introductory Economics
Other Commonly Required Subjects
English
1-2 semesters of English Composition are typically required. Because programs generally want coursework focused on academic writing, research papers, or argumentative/rhetorical writing, creative writing or literature survey courses may not satisfy this requirement. Check with individual programs if you’re unsure whether a specific course qualifies.
Psychology
Introductory &/or Developmental Psychology courses are often required. Typically these courses will satisfy the requirement, but more advanced courses may be beneficial.
- PSYC 105 – Foundations of Contemporary Psychology
- PSYC 230 – Developmental Psychology
Recommended Courses
Sociology courses can provide essential understanding of social determinants of health, cultural diversity, and patient behavioral structures. Typically an introductory course like SOCS 151 – Introduction to Sociology, will satisfy the requirement if it is present.
Nutrition is not currently offered at Wesleyan. Some programs recommend this but they’re less commonly required outright.
General Biology courses are sometimes required in addition to the more common Anatomy & Physiology, but this is program-dependent.
Standardized Testing
Not all Nursing Programs Require an Entrance Exam. Some Direct-Entry MSN programs waive testing for applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or meet a minimum GPA. However, many ABSN and BSN programs do require a pre-admission standardized test assessing readiness in science, math, and reading. Requirements vary widely by program.
Below is an overview of the most common exams.
1. TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is the most widely required exam. It tests on:
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Science (biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology)
- English & language usage
It is a multiple-choice exam that takes approximately 3.5 hours. Depending on the institution, it may be taken in-person or be available online.
2. HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) is also a multiple choice exam. Some BSN and ABSN programs require it.
Schools select which sections they require, but common areas include:
- Math
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Anatomy & physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Grammar
3. NLN NEX (National League for Nursing Exam) is less commonly required today, but still used by some programs. Be sure to check individual websites carefully for their requirements.
Timing
- Plan to test 3–6 months before your application deadline, allowing time for a retake if needed.
- Many programs cap the number of attempts per year.
- Some programs require testing at their own testing center.
- Scores are often valid for only 1–2 years.
How to Prepare
- Use official prep materials (ATI TEAS or HESI A2 study guides)
- Review anatomy & physiology carefully, since it’s often weighted heavily
- Take full-length, timed practice exams
- Refresh math skills (particularly ratios, proportions, and basic algebra)
- Most applicants prepare for 4–8 weeks, depending on comfort level with the material.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Other Advanced Practice
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced graduate training who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and manage patient care—often with a significant degree of independence. To become an NP, you’ll need to complete RN licensure first (via ABSN, Direct-Entry MSN, or another route), then pursue additional graduate-level NP training. NP is one of the higher-paying and most common specializations nurses pursue after initial RN licensure.
While the MSN remains the standard entry-level degree for NP practice as of 2026, there has been discussion in the field about eventually moving NP to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) requirement as well, though no state has adopted this. Some MSN programs articulate directly into a DNP completion track. Check current requirements for your target state and program, since this landscape is evolving.
To learn more about the NP career, you can visit the Association of Nurse Practitioners website.
Nursing Anesthesia (CRNA) specialization is a notable exception to the MSN as entry to advanced nursing practice, as new CRNAs are required to complete a doctoral program.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is another advanced practice nursing role, requiring RN licensure, followed by graduate-level midwifery training. It’s a distinct specialization from NP, but follows a similar nursing-first pathway.
Note: CNM is different from direct-entry midwifery programs, which are licensed and accredited differently as a non-nursing pathway. You can find more information, including a list of programs, and an explanation of the differences between Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), and Doulas here. Speak with the HP/LS CA if you’re specifically interested in midwifery careers, as they aren’t covered in detail on our website.
Application Timeline
ABSN and Direct-Entry MSN programs vary in their application cycles. Some have rolling admissions with multiple start dates per year, others have a single annual deadline. Because of this variation, building your own timeline is especially important.
General planning guidance:
- 12–18+ months out: Begin researching programs and confirming prerequisite coursework; complete any prerequisites not offered at Wesleyan (e.g., Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology) at a community college or accredited online provider.
- 6–9 months out: Take standardized testing (TEAS/HESI), if required, with enough buffer for a retake.
- 3–6 months out: Finalize applications via NursingCAS or individual program portals; request transcripts and letters of recommendation.
- Ongoing: Because some programs admit on a rolling basis, applying earlier in a cycle can be advantageous.
Meet with the Health Professions and Life Sciences Advisor and utilize the Health Profession Portfolio (Nursing) to build a personalized timeline based on your specific programs of interest.
