student internship at the hospital

Nursing Pathways Program

Be the future of leadership in nursing

The Nursing Pathway Program (NPP) at Lake Forest College puts students of any major on track to earn a Master of Science in Nursing with the humanistic benefit of a liberal arts education. NPP primes students for a robust nursing career. 

Our flexible program grants access to top-tier mentors and educators and provides a comprehensive education to help students thrive in their future nursing careers. This pathway prepares students to go on to obtain an advanced nursing degree at any institution of their choosing.

#3
100 Best Jobs in 2021—Nurse Practitioner U.S. News & World Report
$115K
median average salary among U.S. advanced practice nurses in May 2019 Bureau of Labor and Statistics
221K
new RN jobs in the field by 2029 Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Introducing our newest pathway

Our newest Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) pathway program with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is giving students the opportunity to follow the pathway in an accelerated or academically flexible manner. Learn more about this exciting opportunity in the video below.

Mentoring starts from day one

Students gain early access to internships, faculty advising, and mentoring from top-tier nursing staff throughout this program. This access not only sets students up for success academically but also gives students an in-depth look at the vast opportunities for nurses. Students will leave with a better understanding of where their passions and talents lie in the greater healthcare field.

Gain a humanistic edge

Students will be prepared for future success in the rapidly evolving field of healthcare and will be equipped with the foundation of a liberal arts and sciences curriculum and interprofessional acumen. The innovative Health Professions Program consists of a core of health-related courses and opportunities including early access to faculty and programs at RFU.  Through this program, students will also gain the critical skills needed to be a well-rounded nurse including how to communicate clearly and effectively, navigate an increasingly global society, and tackle complex problem-solving situations. 

student being mentored by nurse

Robust academic support to maximize your success

Students receive top-tier academic support through a half-credit course on nursing professional development. They will also have access to supplemental instruction for all nursing courses, study tables with their peers, and additional support from our science-based academic support specialist. 

rachel rosen
The encouragement from professors, my advisors, and other students to explore other classes and areas of study outside of just one program or major ended up being key in how I approached applying to graduate schools. Students are given the opportunity to focus on ethics, literature, philosophy, religion, and more as it relates to science and healthcare.
Rachel Rosen '23

Our liberal arts advantage meets an MSN degree

A liberal arts curriculum is at the foundation of all of Lake Forest College's undergraduate work, providing a grounding in the sciences and humanities as well as problem solving, critical thinking, and solid communication skills. The value of a Master of Science in Nursing is proven through the skills students gain to help them lead our healthcare system to the future. 

Our Nursing Pathways Program uses the foundational liberal arts curriculum provided at the College and:

  • Allows students to explore any major they are passionate about while still obtaining an MSN
  • Helps students become persuasive communicators, analytic thinkers, and cutting-edge problem solvers
  • Lays a firm foundation for students aspiring to become nurse educators, administrators, health care executives, or leaders in their department
  • Provides further pathways to advanced clinical experiences that support a career as a Master’s Prepared Nurse
marisol picture
This is a great opportunity for students who would like to become leaders in the healthcare field and further their education with an MSN. Students coming from a liberal arts college are vital in bringing a humanitarian perspective along with their critical thinking skills.
Marisol Carreon '18, MSN DePaul University

Your Degree. Your Pathway.

Our MSN degree pathways are intentionally designed with the flexibility of your educational journey in mind. The journey will allow you to gain the core education necessary to excel in the field of Nursing, while also giving you the opportunity to explore your interests in other academic areas. You can choose to pursue your passions in English, Business, Music, or any other major and still be on track for a career in nursing. Whether you start at a community college, take the traditional path, or enroll in an accelerated path, your time at Lake Forest will set you up for success to obtain your MSN degree at one of our partner institutions or anywhere else you choose to obtain your master's degree.

Rosalind Franklin University

Rosalind Franklin Pathways
Flexible Options

Each pathway is designed for students entering Lake Forest who have a specific academic timeline in mind. Our accelerated 3+2 option gives you a year of tuition savings. Pathway advising will start before you set foot on campus and will focus on ensuring all prerequisites are aligned over the course of your time at Lake Forest for a seamless transition to Rosalind Franklin. The 2+2+2 program is for those students planning to attend the College of Lake County for their first two years. 

  • The 3+2 and 4+2 Pathway agreements, prerequisites, and proposed course schedules can be found here
  • The 2+2+2 Pathway agreement, prerequisites, and proposed course schedules can be found here
DePaul University

DePaul Pathway

The 4+2 pathway gives students the flexibility to explore various academic areas at Lake Forest and then declare their major by their second year. Students will then transition to DePaul University to complete their Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice.

Prerequisites can be found here.

Rush University

Rush Pathway

This 4+2 pathway allows students to enter Rush’s Clinical Nurse Leader program and is designed for Generalist Entry Master’s (GEM) students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, and want to pursue a career in nursing. Prerequisites can be found here

Karen Mahnke
The skills gained from a liberal arts degree help nurses think globally, communicate effectively, think critically and appreciate differences. These are all skills important in the role of a contemporary 21st century nurse. It really is the perfect blend of learning to advance both the art and science of nursing.
Karen Mahnke MSN, RN, NEA-BC
VP Operations/Bernthal Chief Nurse Executive
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

Related Programs

Contact Us

Admissions Contact

Mike Cohen
Senior Director of Admissions and Strategic Development
mcohen@lakeforest.edu
847-735-5350

Faculty Contact

Ann Maine, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biology
Chair of Health Pofessions Program,  Pre-Health Advising, and Nursing Pathways Program
Lillard Science Center 246
847-735-6037
Maine@lakeforest.edu

Career Contact

Khadija Manzoor
Science and Health Care Internship and Pre-Health Specialist
Career Advancement Center
kmanzoor@lakeforest.edu

Administrative Contact

Kathleen Elsasser
Health Professions Program Coordinator
kelsasser@lakeforest.edu
847-735-6041