The Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing (GEPN) is a full-time course of study, in year one of a three-year program, focused on pre-licensure preparation in evidence-based nursing, followed by two years of advanced practice specialty study. The first year of the program is designed to provide a solid foundation in nursing theory, nursing practice, biological science, health assessment, and pharmacology. This content is integrated into the clinical experiences in the care of the adult patient, pediatric, psychiatric–mental health, childbearing families, community health nursing, and interprofessional collaboration in practice. It is completed full-time over the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Upon completion of the prespecialty year, the student continues in the master’s specialty that was designated when accepted into the GEPN program.

The Certificate in Nursing is awarded upon successful completion of all required GEPN courses. The Certificate in Nursing satisfies Connecticut General Statutes requirements, allowing the student to become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students are required to pass the NCLEX-RN by January 1 of their first specialty year and submit proof of their Connecticut RN licensure. The Certificate in Nursing and a license to practice nursing in Connecticut are two prerequisites for enrollment in the second term of the first specialty year. Exception: Acute Care students are required to pass the NCLEX exam by October 10 in the first specialty year in order to enroll in N7820, Critical Care Immersion. 

Graduate Entry Prespecialty Year

Fall Term
NURS 5020	Nursing Colloquia I	1
NURS 5030	Biomedical Foundations: Health and Illness I	3
NURS 5050	Essentials of Health Assessment and Clinical Skills	5
NURS 5090	Introduction to Drug Therapy	3
NURS 5110	Clinical Applications of Human Anatomy	2
NURS 5160	Clinical Practice of Care of the Adult Patient	2
NURS 5170	Care of Adult Patient I	3
Spring Term
NURS 5021	Nursing Colloquia II	1
NURS 5031	Biomedical Foundations: Health and Illness II	3
NURS 5080	Nursing and the Community I	2
NURS 5130	Community Health Nursing and Public Health	2
NURS 5140	Clinical Practice Care of Childbearing Families	2
NURS 5150	Care of Childbearing Families	2
NURS 5180	Clinical Practice in Pediatric Nursing	2
NURS 5190	Pediatric Nursing	2
Summer Term
NURS 5051	Essentials of Health Assessment and Clinical Skills II	3
NURS 5081	Nursing and the Community II	2
NURS 5171	Nursing Care of Adult Patient II	2
NURS 5200	Clinical Practice in Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing	2
NURS 5210	Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing	2