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Go from an associate degree or diploma in nursing to a master's in as few as three years
Mercy College's RN to MSN online nursing program provides a unique option for students who have an associate degree or diploma in nursing, earned their RN license, and are now ready to achieve an MSN degree. The RN to MSN program is fully online and designed for working nurses. Students can earn their master's in nursing while working full-time. The MSN program offers two tracks for students to choose from: Nursing Leadership and Nursing Education.
The program offers students 32-39 credits for their associate or diploma degree in nursing coursework, in addition to credit for any previously completed and required general education coursework. The student completes 18 credit hours of bachelor-level nursing coursework and any remaining, required general education coursework. Upon completion of bachelor-level coursework, students enter the MSN program and complete 36 credit hours of MSN Program coursework with a focus in Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership. This program option incorporates The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021), Entry-Level Professional Nursing Education sub-competencies, and Advanced-Level Nursing Education sub-competencies identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing into the required coursework
Explanation for Baccalaureate Equivalency for Graduates of the RN to MSN Degree
Graduates do not earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) but are required to successfully complete certain baccalaureate coursework and the RN to MSN Bridge course prior to entering the MSN coursework. Graduates of the RN to MSN program will have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree which assumes a Baccalaureate Equivalent degree.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) identify the MSN as a higher degree than a BSN and provides academic achievement that is beyond a BSN. The student can use the MSN transcript as a BSN equivalent if the need arises. This is further supported by the incorporation of The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021), Entry-Level Professional Nursing Education sub-competencies, and Advanced-Level Nursing Education sub-competencies identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing into the required program of study.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 304 | Transitions in Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 324 | Nursing Informatics | 3 |
| NUR 374 | Population Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR 384 | Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NUR 414 | Current Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 491 | RN to MSN Bridge Course | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 510 | Theoretical Foundations for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NUR 515 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NUR 520 | Healthcare Policy in the Global Community | 3 |
| NUR 525 | Population-Based Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR 530 | Informatics and Healthcare Technologies | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 535 | Leadership and Strategic Management for Advanced Nursing Roles | 3 |
| NUR 540 | Healthcare Systems and Organization for Nurse Leaders | 3 |
| NUR 545 | Strategic Management of Human Resources | 3 |
| NUR 555 | Financial Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR 550 | Leadership Capstone I | 3 |
| NUR 560 | Leadership Practicum | 3 |
| NUR 565 | Leadership Capstone II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 536 | Teaching and Learning Strategies in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NUR 541 | Advanced Nursing Curriculum Design | 3 |
| NUR 546 | Evaluation Methods in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NUR 551 | Integrated Advanced Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, and Pharmacology | 3 |
| NUR 556 | Education Capstone I | 3 |
| NUR 561 | Education Practicum | 3 |
| NUR 566 | Education Capstone II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
To earn the Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) degree students must complete all college requirements including:
- Course Admission Requirements for RN to MSN Program
- General Education Coursework: To be determined based on the candidate’s previous educational record
- Bachelor's in Nursing Coursework: noted above
- MSN Coursework: the first five courses in the Master of Science in Nursing coursework serve as the core for students in both the Leadership Track and the Education Track. After completing the core coursework, students will divide into their respective specialty courses, then progress into their respective specialty Capstone I and II, and Practicum courses.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (Undergraduate)
- Integrate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as the basis for clinical judgment.
- Apply quality improvement strategies to promote a culture of safety.
- Incorporate evidence-based practice to ensure effective nursing care.
- Use informatics and healthcare technologies to manage and improve the delivery of nursing and health care services.
- Demonstrate leadership strategies within the complex healthcare system to recognize and influence health policies and laws.
- Collaborate in interprofessional partnerships to optimize health.
- Provide health promotion and disease prevention interventions to improve population health outcomes.
- Incorporate professional and ethical behavior, the commitment to lifelong learning, and professional values into nursing practice.
- Provide holistic care to diverse populations across the lifespan.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (MSN)
- Demonstrate the values of compassion, excellence, human dignity, justice, sacredness of life, and service within the advanced nursing practice role.
- Employ holistic critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to guide nursing actions in advanced nursing practice situations.
- Develop articulate communication skills for use in client care, team building, advanced practice, education, research, and leadership.
- Function as a leader in advanced nursing practice.
- Integrate scholarship into advanced professional practice through intellectual inquiry, generating scholarly activities, and unique nursing knowledge through research, and applying new knowledge to advanced nursing practice.
- Demonstrate professional expertise in knowledge development, clinical practice, research, systems leadership, and communication technologies.
- Synthesize and integrate knowledge from nursing and relevant sciences to influence quality care in advanced nursing practice that affects healthcare outcomes across varied populations.
Attend an RN-MSN Program Online Information Session
part of Healthcare Worker Wednesday at Mercy College
Career Outlook
Employment Growth - RN-MSN Nursing Education Track
“Given the growing shortage of nurse faculty, the job outlook for those seeking careers in nursing education is bright with a growing demand for individuals needed to teach in schools of nursing, hospitals, public health agencies, and other settings” (https://www.aacnnursing.org/Nu...).
Source: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Employment Growth - RN-MSN Nursing Leadership Track
“The national movement toward healthcare reform is ushering in new models of care delivery that will place nurses in the driver’s seat. As leaders of health/medical homes, nurse-managed health clinics, community health centers, and other settings, nurses are moving to become full partners in driving change in the healthcare arena. As more patients enter the system and an aging population creates the demand for transformation in health care, many more nurses will be needed to serve in primary care and specialty roles, as well as to lead independent practices”
Admission Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR RN TO MSN PROGRAM (Undergraduate Coursework)
There are three pathways to enter the RN to MSN program depending on your educational record, review of required documentation and candidate status.
Please note: New candidates must first apply for admission to the College.
Each candidate must submit a Graduate Application with RN to MSN program selected, meet the following criteria, and submit the following documentation:
- Possess a degree in nursing at the associate or diploma level from a regionally accredited institution that holds professional accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
- Submit official transcripts of previous associate or diploma nursing degree coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale (Pathway 1), or minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0/4.0 scale (Pathway 2) and a conferred associate or diploma degree in nursing. Submit other official transcripts for review for general education transfer credit.
- Block Credit/Transfer Credit: Applicants may receive blocked credit for a previously earned college degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program. The Office of Student Records will review the transcript and determine the number of blocked credit hours that will be granted ranging from 32-39 credit hours for previous nursing coursework in an associate degree or diploma program. Submit other official transcripts for review for general education transfer credit.
- Registered Nurse (RN) License Verification of a current, active and unencumbered RN license.
- Submit a current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Pathway 1:
This option is available for new candidates with an acceptable review of required documentation who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale or higher from their associate or diploma nursing program.
- Candidate will be granted full admission into the RN to MSN program.
- Candidate must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale on the undergraduate general education and RN to MSN baccalaureate nursing coursework to remain eligible to continue into the graduate nursing coursework.
- Candidate in Pathway 1 will need to complete the RN to MSN Candidacy Form only if their cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0/4.0 scale in the general education and RN to MSN baccalaureate nursing coursework.
Pathway 2:
This option is available for new candidates with an acceptable review of required documentation who have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0-2.9/4.0 from their associate or diploma nursing program. This will be a two-step process in which the candidate will first complete the required undergraduate coursework listed below, then submit an RN to MSN Candidacy Form to be reviewed for approval to begin the graduate coursework.
Admission requirements for RN to MSN program
- Candidate will be granted admission into the RN to MSN Program contingent upon completing the coursework outlined in step 2, and cumulative GPA.
- Complete required undergraduate general education coursework and RN to MSN baccalaureate nursing coursework for the following courses NUR 304, NUR 324, NUR 374, NUR 384, NUR 414, and NUR 491 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale for full admission or minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3-2.9/4.0 scale for provisional admission prior to beginning graduate coursework.
- Submit RN to MSN Candidacy Form (to begin Graduate Coursework) the semester before taking NUR 414.
- Conditions of Provisional Admission
Failure to meet any of the conditions below will result in program dismissal.
-Students are required to earn a grade of a “B” or higher in the first nine (9) credit hours of coursework to be fully admitted to the program.
-Students are required to follow and successfully complete an Academic Success Plan that includes meeting with:
* Mercy College of Ohio or Smarthinking Writing Tutor 1-2 times each semester
* Program Director/Program Coordinator 1-2 times each semester
* Other services identified to promote student success
- Conditions of Provisional Admission
- Please note: If at the time of request for admission into the MSN program the student’s cumulative GPA is not a minimum of 2.3/4.0 scale in their baccalaureate coursework, the student remains eligible to continue in the RN to BSN Program.
Pathway 3:
This option is available for candidates who are current students in the BSN-C Program with an acceptable review of required documentation who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale or higher for full admission or cumulative GPA of 2.3-2.9/4.0 scale for provisional admission on their baccalaureate coursework who wish to take advantage of the RN to MSN Program option.
- Submit RN to MSN Candidacy Form before taking NUR 414.
- Submit a current professional resume or Curriculum Vitae.