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RN to MSN
Introduction:
The RN to MSN option provides educational mobility for registered nurses who are seeking a Master of Science in Nursing. Through full-time or part-time study, RNs are provided the opportunity to advance their professional careers. The RN to MSN option is highly selective. Students complete undergraduate pre-requisite courses and 15-18 semester hours of RN to BSN coursework before they are eligible for entry into the MSN program. Graduates receive the MSN but do not receive a BSN. Students interested in the nurse anesthesia concentration must have earned a baccalaureate degree in a related field to be eligible for the RN to MSN option.
Students interested in nursing education, clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nurse midwifery, and neonatal nurse practitioner concentrations are strongly encouraged to take NURS 3410, Concepts of Pathophysiology for Nursing (3 semester hours). This course will prepare the student for NURS 6050, Human Physiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, at the graduate level.
Course Content
NURS 3010, Foundations in Nursing Informatics, Application of information technology and literacy related to nursing education and practice.
NURS 3025, Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, Theoretical foundations and skills for performing a holistic plan of care for individuals across the lifespan.
NURS 3410, Concepts of Pathophysiology for Nursing, Etiology, mechanism, and clinical presentation of alterations in physiology. (Strongly recommended for FNP, Anesthesia, Nursing Education, Midwifery, and NNP.)
NURS 3510, Nursing Research, Introduction to research process and its impact on nursing practice, education, and public policy.
NURS 4410, Nursing Management of Complex Health Issues: Individuals and Families, Principles and practices of nursing promoting holistic care of individuals and families across the lifespan.
NURS 4420, Nursing Management of Complex Health Issues: Populations and Systems, Principles and practices of nursing promoting holistic care of population health across the lifespan.
A 3.0 grade point average must be maintained in the required upper-division RN to BSN courses to be eligible to continue in the RN to MSN option.
After completion of the required RN to BSN courses, the RN to MSN student will apply to the graduate school for admission to the MSN program. The student will be assigned a graduate adviser to work within planning/completing the MSN curriculum.
The RN to MSN student earns 34 semester hours of placement credit upon completion of NURS 3025, Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning. An additional 3 semester hours of credit will be earned upon successful completion of the required upper-division nursing courses.