No, You’re Not Too Old to Be a Nurse
Montclair’s Pre-licensure MSN program provides the education and clinical training to turn life experiences into a successful nursing career
Posted in: News & Announcements
Feeling called to be a nurse, but worried that it’s too late?
No matter your background, it’s never too late to become a nurse. In fact, your life experience isn’t just relevant — it’s a superpower. It can actually make you a better, more compassionate nurse.
And with programs like the Pre-licensure MSN at Montclair State University, you can become a nurse, even if your bachelor’s degree is in something completely different.
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger – and Kinder
You know the saying, “nobody gets through life unscathed”? As we age, we encounter more and more seismic life events — changing jobs, economic challenges, grief, or the birth of a child.
Overcoming adversity may make us more resilient, but did you know that your past can also be an asset in your nursing career?
How Overcoming Adversity Can Make You A Better Nurse
- Increased Empathy: Studies show that people who have faced adversities in life have greater empathy and compassion, and are more likely to help others in need.
- Better Patient Outcomes: Patients cared for by highly empathetic professionals experience better results — lower complication rates for people with diabetes, reduced psychological distress for cancer patients, and mothers experience less pain during labor and childbirth.
As a nurse, your empathy is a gift. Every challenge you’ve overcome helps you connect with your patients in their most vulnerable moments, allowing you to provide the best care possible.
What is a Pre-licensure MSN Program?
A Pre-licensure MSN program is an accelerated master’s program designed for people who want to become nurses but have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
It prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become a licensed registered nurse — no prior healthcare experience required.
Perfect for career changers or those re-entering the workforce, this program offers a direct path into nursing without starting over from scratch.
Why Montclair’s Pre-licensure MSN Program?
- Proven Results: 100% of Montclair graduates passed the NCLEX-RN in 2024.
- Accelerated Path: Graduate in just 7 semesters — that’s less than two years to launch your nursing career.
- Hands-On Learning: Learn to coordinate care, apply evidence-based practices, and make a real impact in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
- Affordable Tuition: As a public institution, Montclair offers one of the most affordable paths to a nursing degree in New Jersey.
Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?
Prospective Students: The next Pre-Licensure MSN cohort begins in Summer 2026. Get ready to apply by reviewing our admission requirements and scheduling a campus visit.
Journalists: Contact our Media Relations team to request assets or schedule an interview.
Story by Staff Content Producer Jayda Brown.