Bay Path Creates Pathway to Nursing Careers with New Associate Degree in Nursing

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University is launching a new associate of science in nursing (ASN) program to help address the national nursing shortage and create new entry points into the profession.

The ASN program offers a flexible pathway for students to gain the knowledge, clinical experience, and credentials needed to take the NCLEX-RN exam and enter the workforce, typically within two years. For those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the ASN can lead into Bay Path’s RN to BSN program, and ultimately into a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate-level nurse practitioner role.

Courses follow a flexible, supportive model. Students without prior college coursework begin with two terms of online academics, followed by four terms of in-person clinical labs and practicums paired with online coursework. No prerequisites are required; all competencies are built into the curriculum.

“The demand for registered nurses has never been greater, and this is a new way to address that demand, strengthen the pipeline, and provide opportunities for high-growth careers,” said Linda Adams-Wendling, chief nurse administrator and director of Nursing Education at Bay Path. “We intentionally created this ASN program to work for many types of students, from recent high school graduates to career changers who are looking to enter nursing.”

Bay Path is also launching a direct-entry MSN program for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. This pathway enables graduates to earn RN licensure and an MSN, preparing them for leadership and teaching roles in healthcare.

Applications for both programs are open now, with classes starting in September. These initiatives expand Bay Path’s growing portfolio of healthcare programs.