Designed for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, the MSN-ETP program offers an accelerated, graduate-level pathway into nursing while helping address growing healthcare workforce needs.

As healthcare organizations across Indiana and the nation face growing nursing shortages, Butler University is expanding its healthcare education offerings with a new graduate nursing pathway designed to help meet workforce needs while preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

The new Master of Science in Nursing–Entry to Practice (MSN-ETP) program is designed for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees who are seeking a direct pathway into the nursing profession through an accelerated, graduate-level experience. The hybrid online/in-person program will welcome its first cohort in fall 2027.

The Indiana Hospital Association estimates approximately 4,300 RN vacancies currently exist statewide, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 203,000 registered nursing openings nationally each year through 2033.

Butler’s MSN-ETP program—the first of its kind in Indianapolis and only the second in Indiana—will combine online and in-person learning with immersive clinical experiences beginning in the first semester. Students will complete the five-semester program prepared to pursue RN licensure while earning a master’s degree that positions them for long-term growth in leadership, specialized practice, healthcare systems, and doctoral education.

“At a time when healthcare systems across Indiana and the country are facing significant workforce challenges, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to help prepare the next generation of nurses in new and innovative ways,” said Dr. Seth Carey, Founding Director of Butler University’s Nursing Program. “This program is designed for individuals who feel called to nursing and want a pathway that recognizes the experiences and perspectives they already bring from previous careers and academic backgrounds.”

Designed specifically for career changers, the program can be completed in five semesters—faster than many comparable programs nationwide and quicker than some accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. Students will complete more than 800 clinical hours across diverse healthcare settings, with hands-on patient care experiences beginning during the first semester. The curriculum also emphasizes leadership development, healthcare technology, informatics, evidence-based practice, population health, advocacy and policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Many applicants are accomplished individuals seeking to enter a profession with a demonstrated workforce need and a significant impact on patient outcomes,” Carey said. “This program provides an efficient yet rigorous pathway into nursing while ensuring students receive the academic, clinical, and personal support necessary for success.”

The announcement comes as Butler formally introduces its newly renamed College of Health Professions, reflecting a broader expansion of the University’s healthcare education offerings and partnerships.

“Healthcare education must evolve alongside the needs of patients, communities, and healthcare systems,” Dr. Robert Soltis, Dean of Butler University’s College of Health Professions, said. “The MSN-ETP program reflects Butler’s commitment to preparing highly skilled healthcare professionals who combine strong clinical preparation with leadership, collaboration, innovation, and compassionate care.”

Soltis said the renaming of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to the College of Health Professions reflects Butler’s long-term vision to expand healthcare pathways and strengthen Indiana’s healthcare workforce.

“We know the demand for healthcare professionals will continue growing in the years ahead,” Soltis said. “Butler is well-positioned to help meet that need because of our strong history of preparing highly sought-after graduates and our willingness to rethink how healthcare education can be delivered. The College of Health Professions reflects that broader commitment to building innovative pathways that strengthen healthcare systems and communities alike.”

Clinical placements in the MSN-ETP program begin during the first semester and include a specialized practicum experience alongside RN mentors to bridge classroom learning with real-world practice from the start.

“This program creates an important new pathway into the nursing profession at a time when healthcare organizations across Indiana are looking for highly prepared, adaptable nurses who are ready to lead in increasingly complex care environments,” said Tracy Martin, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Eskenazi Health. “What makes Butler’s approach especially meaningful is its focus on developing nurses who bring not only strong clinical preparation, but also leadership, collaboration, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to patient advocacy. Those qualities are essential in healthcare today, and they are exactly the kinds of strengths we value in the next generation of nurses entering the workforce.”

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and prepared for a wide range of nursing and healthcare career pathways.

Prospective students can learn more and request information beginning June 1 at butler.edu. Applications for the inaugural cohort will open July 1, 2026, with a priority application deadline of November 1, 2026.