Learn more about: RN – BSN – MSN – DNP
Admission Requirements & Prerequisites
| Requirement | Traditional BSN | Accelerated Second Degree (ASDNC) | LPN-to-BSN |
| Minimum GPA | Competitive high school/college GPA (test-optional available); minimum 2.5 progression GPA once enrolled. | • 3.2 GPA (with Baccalaureate or higher degree) • 3.4 GPA (with Associate degree) | Cumulative 3.0 GPA (plus TEAS score ≥ 65) |
| Prerequisite Coursework | High school or college-level: • Biology • Chemistry • Mathematics | • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with lab) • Microbiology (with lab) • Chemistry (with lab) • Human Growth & Development • Intro to Psychology • Statistics • Nutrition • English (6 credits) • Art (3 credits) • History (3 credits) | • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II • Microbiology • Chemistry • Medical Terminology • Foreign Language (1 & 2) • English Writing & Literature • Psychology • Statistics • Nutrition • Art Elective • History Elective |
Nursing at Elms
The Elms Difference
School of Nursing Purpose, Mission, Vision, Philosophy, and Values
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Elms College School of Nursing is to prepare nurses to deliver safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient centered care in a culturally sensitive manner, addressing the health care needs of diverse populations. The School values excellence and innovation in advancing the art and science of nursing.
Our Mission
The mission of the School of Nursing is to lead in education, evidence-based practice, scholarship, and quality initiatives while educating our students to deliver optimal health care to diverse communities with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to improve the quality of life and safety of populations within systems of care.
Our Vision
The Elms College School of Nursing will continuously reinvent itself in ways that will distinguish the School among its peers regionally and beyond with respect to the moral development and formation of students. Through this approach, the School of Nursing fosters a culture where everyone can feel welcome. Nursing and advanced practice nursing students will be professionally prepared to be clinically competent to practice with passion and discipline and act with reason, compassion, and respect in order to promote human dignity in every person.
Our Philosophy
The School of Nursing faculty educates Baccalaureate, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctoral level nurses. Our curricula transform our graduates to be uniquely prepared to succeed as integral members of a healthcare team. Within this culture of learning is an educational community where standards of professional practice are modeled by its faculty and acquired by its students.
Our Values
The Elms College School of Nursing values achievement of excellence in nursing education, practice, and service to our community as demonstrated through an innovative and dynamic teaching-learning environment, responding in practice to the increasing diversity of a global community, translating research into practice, and living our core values of scholarship, leadership, and social responsibility.
Elms College affirms the tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and is a community rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, and responsive to civic and social justice obligations that inspire lifelong learning.
We take pride that for four decades, we have graduated nurses like you who are prepared to respond to the healthcare needs of a diverse society with the compassion, knowledge, and skills necessary to continuously improve today’s healthcare system. You can expect exceptional learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom with our distinguished faculty, state-of-the art simulation lab, and broad range of unique clinical settings. Our top-ranked School of Nursing is here to provide you with an extraordinary healthcare experience that is highly regarded by employers and patients alike.
View our graduate degree programs Employer Partners
Nondiscrimination and Equitable Application of Nursing Program Policies
The Elms College School of Nursing is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and nondiscriminatory educational environment consistent with applicable federal and Massachusetts laws, institutional policies, and Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing regulations.
All nursing program policies, including those governing admission, attendance, academic integrity, academic progression, clinical participation, professional conduct, social media, and withdrawal, shall be established, communicated, and administered using clearly defined, objective, consistently applied, and nondiscriminatory criteria.
Decisions affecting student admission, participation, evaluation, progression, and program completion shall be based on established academic standards, demonstrated achievement of course and program outcomes, clinical competencies, professional conduct, and applicable patient safety requirements, without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
The School of Nursing will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities and comply with applicable requirements related to pregnancy and related conditions. Requests for accommodations will be addressed through established College procedures and evaluated individually in accordance with applicable law, while maintaining essential academic, clinical, and patient safety requirements.
All students are expected to meet published academic, clinical, professional, and progression standards. These standards shall be applied consistently, with consideration of approved accommodations and other legally required adjustments.
Students will be informed of applicable policies, expectations, evaluation criteria, and procedures for requesting review or appeal of academic and administrative decisions. The School of Nursing prohibits retaliation against individuals who raise concerns regarding discrimination, request accommodations, or exercise rights protected by law.
The School of Nursing will review its policies periodically to ensure continued compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and alignment with the College's commitment to educational equity, student success, and public protection.
The School of Nursing at Elms College empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to excel in the ever-evolving healthcare field.
In this video, Dr. Julie A. Beck, D.Ed., RN, CNE, a seasoned educator and leader in nursing education, highlights our programs and the unparalleled opportunities they offer for clinical experience and professional success.
The Elms Experience
State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs
The Lyons Center for Natural and Health Sciences houses state-of-the-art nursing skills and simulation labs designed and equipped to simulate real-life patient settings, as well as research and lab facilities.
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RN-to-BSN
Expand your nursing knowledge and refine your practice in our convenient RN-to-BSN program, which offers a flexible schedule to help you earn your degree and develop your career opportunities.
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Leaders in the Field
Earning a DNP degree at Elms equips you to redefine health care at its cutting edge. Our doctoral graduates transform their capabilities as nurse leaders by developing innovative approaches to patient care and healthcare systems.
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State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs
RN-to-BSN
Leaders in the Field
Uniting Nursing service with social justice
FULL MA BORN APPROVAL
Elms College School of Nursing, baccalaureate degree pre-licensure program has earned full approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
ACCREDITATION
The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program and Post Graduate certificate program at Elms College are accredited by the Commision on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K. Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
| Number of Graduates (traditional students & accelerated second degree) | NCLEX Pass Rate |
| 2025 — 71 | 86% |
| 2024 — 67 | 93% |
| 2023 — 75 | 97.33% |
| 2022 — 81 | 80.9% |
| 2021 — 61 | 80% |
| 2020 — 64 | 98% |
| 2019 — 65 | 97% |
Certification Pass Rates
The Elms DNP Program has had an impressive 100% Pass Rate (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) for the National Certification Exams for Family Nurse Practitioners as first time test takers.
The Elms DNP Program has had an impressive 94% Pass Rate (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) for the National Certification Exams for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners as first time test takers. And, 100% pass rates overall.
Policies
View School of Nursing Policies related to Massachusetts BORN Regulations
WATCH: 22 NEWS Article: Rebuilding the healthcare workforce: Elms College students meet with potential employers Posted: Mar 22, 2022
Connect
Whether it’s a visit to our welcoming community, a personal phone call, or a detailed email, we’re here and ready to answer your questions. See each program for details on how best to connect.
Financial Aid
With many of our students receiving financial aid, we work to make your degree affordable through a range of options: scholarships, grants, loans, employer tuition reimbursement and more. See individual programs to find out more.
Apply
Undergraduate and MSN applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Other due dates vary by program. See each program for details.