Last October, a new and pioneering program at UNC Greensboro offered professionals a streamlined pathway to becoming a nurse.
Longtime healthcare professional Jessi Elder was one of the first in line to apply—referring to this move as “a decision 20 years in the making.”
“I knew this program could open up more opportunities for me in the future,” says Elder.
That is exactly what UNCG’s School of Nursing intended when it became the first in the state to introduce the Prelicensure Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (PELMSN) Program, a longtime vision of Dean Debra Barksdale. It enables individuals who are not currently nurses to pursue that career path.
Fast forward to today, and 15 students are actively engaged in the program’s first cohort.
Desire to be a Nurse
Ranging from their early 20s to late 40s, all PELMSN program students already hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in another discipline, most science- or health-related. Some also possess health-related employment experience, having worked as a Medical Assistant or Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Elder is one of those students, having had a career in healthcare since her mid-20s, most recently working at a UNC Urgent Care facility.
But they all have at least one quality in common: the strong desire to become a nurse.
“Many of the students told me they wanted to be a nurse for a long time, so this unique program opened the door to pursue that dream,” says PELMSN Interim Program Director and Senior Associate Dean Yvonne Eaves.
Kenneth Chambers is another student attracted to the program.
“This program is a game changer since I am able to graduate from the program with a master’s degree and as an RN within two years, without having previously worked as a nurse,” says Chambers.
For PELMSN student Mai Ha, the program is a steppingstone to her long-term goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
“This a wonderful opportunity to surpass extra steps and get right into the MSN without having to take the longer route,” says Ha.
Off to a Strong Start
Eaves says the program is already strong but admits the first half of this first semester is heavy, with the students in class Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This rigorous schedule will lighten up some following spring break when students start their Cone Health clinical rotations.
There’s been a learning curve for faculty as well. “The faculty are teaching a new group of students at a new pace, so they have to adapt and consider the appropriate amount of materials the students can effectively manage,” says Eaves.
One success Eaves sees is the instant camaraderie of the student cohort, noting they established a chat group before classes even started.
“When they arrived, they all knew each other,” she says. “They are a tight group, and they support each other.”
Elder, Chapman, and Ha use the words “challenging” and “intense” to describe their workload thus far but also acknowledge how much they are learning and the level of support they are receiving.
“It has definitely been a challenge being back in school, but the faculty has been great working with me,” says Elder. “It’s a learning process for all of us involved since it is a new program.”
Ha, too, spoke of the “full workload” but also commented on the “privilege to be part of a program with such helpful instructors who really want to see you succeed.”
Program Impacting Students + Community
Program students train to be Generalist Nurses, Eaves explains, which means they can care for a wider range of patients in hospitals, home health, community settings, or behavioral health units.
Because they will have completed five courses in the Nursing Leadership and Management concentration at UNCG as part of this program, PELMSN graduates will be ready to transition into a leadership role after just two or three years of serving as a nurse.
“This is a benefit not only for the graduates but also for the clinical health care partners,” says Eaves.
This program also helps to relieve nursing shortages, she adds.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects that in 2037, North Carolina will have a 22% RN shortage, equaling 28,850 RN full-time equivalents. “This new program is adding to the RN numbers for the Triad and the state,” says Eaves.
“According to SHEPS Health Workforce NC, UNCG boasts the highest percentage, at 92.9%, of BSN graduates who work as RNs in North Carolina for at least two years after graduation.”
Looking to the Future
The School of Nursing will stick with spring admissions for the PELMSN program and plans to admit 40 – 50 new students to begin in the January 2026 cohort.
The current students are excited about the future of this program and their own futures.
Elder is eager to return to the daily patient care that was a mainstay of her previous position.
“I cannot wait to make a difference in my future patient’s day – whether that is listening to what they are going through or making them more comfortable in their current situation,” she says.
Chambers and Ha seek to incorporate skills from their previous experiences into their future roles. Chambers will call on his understanding of the health care delivery system, and Ha intends to use her art skills for art therapy to serve future patients.
Story written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy
Photography provided by the School of Nursing & Sean Norona, University Communications
