Direct Entry Programs

The CNS (clinical nurse specialist) program is a Master's degree that requires you to have a nursing license before applying. You may want to start researching Bachelor's Nursing Programs in your area. Good luck with your research.

You're right, aspennice, UCSF does offer a direct-entry 3 year program towards becoming a CNS specializing in Oncology for non-nursing students who already hold a bachelor's degree.

I would suggest looking at all the big-name direct-entry programs: Yale, Columbia, John-Hopkins. There are not a lot of direct-entry programs that have an Oncology specialization available.

Additionally, I interviewed with the head of the UCSF oncology nursing program and she said they require their direct-entry students to take a step-out year between the one-year RN, and the 2 years of masters level work. So it actually takes 4 years to complete everything.


Good luck with your search!