Nursing: MSN

Female USF student practicing on another student in the classroom.

Prepare to lead in the nursing profession.

Why a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)?

With an unprecedented demand for nurses of all career levels there comes a growing need for qualified nurse-leaders. A graduate nursing degree can also open doors to executive-level leadership roles and qualify you for teaching positions.

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Career Outlook & Success

100%

employment rate for MSN graduates within six months

52%

growth rate predicted for nurse practitioners through 2029 (BLS.gov)

$106,380

median annual salary for nurse practitioners in Indiana (BLS.gov, 2019)

Why USF for Nursing?

The University of Saint Francis has a strong reputation for preparing competent, caring healthcare professionals. Our MSN program builds upon your existing nursing experience with:

  • A holistic, person-centered focus on care
  • High-quality academics rooted in Franciscan values
  • Engaged, inspiring faculty members
  • Enriching hands-on learning opportunities in high-tech facilities

Strong Reputation

Our program builds upon our long history of outstanding nursing education. The most respected healthcare organizations in the region trust graduates of University of Saint Francis to be well-prepared and ready to serve.

Flexible Structure & Schedule

USF understands that many of our students are working nurses; that’s why we offer a flexible hybrid model. You’ll spend time on campus twice a semester for what we call “intensives.” During this in-person learning portion, you’ll participate in lectures, group work, and more. The rest of the semester involves flexible synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

Concentrations

MSN students looking to expand their nursing role can choose from these concentrations:

  • Leadership
  • Administration
  • Business
  • Education

These concentrations allow students to take courses from USF’s acclaimed MBA, MHA, MOL and master’s of art in education programs.

Nursing Career Opportunities

Once you’ve earned your MSN you can work in a broad range of healthcare settings, including:

  • Community health centers
  • Home health agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Physician’s offices
  • Private practice
  • Schools
  • Urgent care centers

With additional training and experience, you could move into supervisory roles or even into administrator positions.

The University of Saint Francis gave me the tools I need to provide the kind of care I want for my patients. I have the foundation from my nursing background, but the building blocks for becoming a nurse practitioner are all right here. They definitely set you up for success.

Brett Burns ‘20
MSN major

Group of four female family nurse practitioners smiling.

100% Placement Rate: Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

After completing their MSN programs, USF graduates find nursing positions at places such as:

  • Adams Health
  • Allendale
  • Allergy & Asthma Center
  • Cardinal Family Medicine
  • Clean Slate Outpatient Addiction Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine of Indiana, LLC
  • Family Healthcare of Northwest Ohio, LLC
  • Fertility and Midwifery Center
  • Fort Wayne Neurological Center
  • Heart City Health Care
  • Indiana Ear
  • Kroger – The Little Clinic
  • Lutheran Health Physicians
  • Marion General Hospital
  • Mercy Health Ohio
  • Northeast Internal Medicine Association
  • Parkview Health
  • Select Specialty Hospital
  • St. Vincent Health
  • Summit Pain Management
  • Veterans Affairs Northern Indiana Health Care System

This partial list of employers demonstrates the versatility of MSN programs and the many places a master’s degree in nursing can take you.

Additional Educational Opportunities

Some students use the master of science in nursing (MSN) as a stepping stone into a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or Ph.D. program, with the goal of working in research, education or public health.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Our Mission

Rooted in Franciscan Values, faculty engage a diverse community of learners to serve society holistically as compassionate, professional nurse leaders.

Ready to start?

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Your first step to becoming a USF Cougar is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Visit USF

Whether you know what you want to see, who you want to meet or are just exploring your options, we will personalize your campus visit to fit your needs.

Academic Plan

An academic plan is a general blueprint showing how one might complete the degree, semester by semester. Get an idea on what each semester could look like.

View RN-MSN Transition Plan