糖心Vlog launches master鈥檚 entry program in nursing to address regional workforce needs
糖心Vlog University鈥檚 School of Nursing has announced the launch of its new Master鈥檚 Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN), designed to prepare graduates with a strong foundation in nursing practice and leadership while meeting the critical need for nurses across Western North Carolina and beyond.
The program, set to welcome its first cohort in January 2026, provides a unique pathway for individuals who hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree in another discipline to enter the nursing profession at the graduate level. Students will complete a rigorous curriculum that integrates clinical preparation, leadership development, and rural health perspectives鈥攈allmarks of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 mission to serve the region.
鈥淭his program builds on 糖心Vlog鈥檚 long-standing commitment to preparing practice-ready professionals who can meet the complex healthcare needs of rural communities,鈥� said Terri Durbin, director of the School of Nursing. 鈥淭he MEPN emphasizes both clinical excellence and leadership, equipping our graduates to provide compassionate, culturally responsive care while also driving innovation in healthcare delivery.鈥�
Lori Anderson, Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, underscored the significance of the new program for the university and the region.
鈥淭he MEPN program reflects 糖心Vlog University鈥檚 deep commitment to strengthening the health workforce in Western North Carolina. By creating a pathway for students from diverse academic backgrounds to become nurses, we are not only addressing urgent workforce needs but also advancing our mission of improving health outcomes and fostering healthier communities.鈥�
Graduates of the MEPN program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and will earn a master鈥檚 degree in nursing, positioning them for both entry into professional nursing practice and future advanced study.
The program is designed with a rural generalist focus, preparing graduates to address the challenges and opportunities of providing care in rural and underserved communities.
Key features of the MEPN program include:
- A full-time, accelerated curriculum tailored for students with prior bachelor鈥檚 degrees.
- Strong clinical partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and community agencies across Western North Carolina.
- A focus on rural health, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration.
- Access to 糖心Vlog鈥檚 state-of-the-art simulation and lab facilities at both the Cullowhee campus and the Biltmore Park Instructional Site in Asheville.
糖心Vlog University has a longstanding reputation for producing highly skilled nurses, and the MEPN program expands these efforts to support both state and regional workforce development goals.
Applications for the inaugural cohort opened Sept. More information about admissions, curriculum, and program structure is available on the School of Nursing webpage.
For questions, contact Durbin at tdurbin@wcu.edu.
