R.N.-M.S.N. Bridge Options

Nursing offers numerous routes for career advancement, including programs that bridge the associate degree and masters degrees. This is particularly important as health care delivery and the science underpinning care delivery become increasingly complex. Scientific advancements, technologic changes, demographic shifts and the legal and ethical considerations associated with an increasingly global and diverse society make it especially important to provide nurses with opportunities for advanced learning. With the nursing shortage, it is important for nurses to have flexible scheduling options available for coursework. Bridge options are designed with the needs of working nurses in mind.

Students in the R.N.-M.S.N. option are graduate students who take several B.S.N.-level courses while in the masters program and "double count" selected M.S.N. courses for B.S.N. credit. This makes it possible for them to earn a B.S.N. more quickly while simultaneously completing degree requirements for an M.S.N..

Goal of R.N.-M.S.N. Bridge Option
The goal of the R.N.-M.S.N. option is to provide nurses with diplomas or associate degrees in nursing with an opportunity to gain graduate educational preparation as advanced practice nurses. This option aims to recognize the experience and background skills of registered nurse students and to provide flexible learning opportunities specially tailored to the needs of these students. The objectives of this option are the same as those for the M.S.N. degree program because these students are in the M.S.N. program.

R.N.-M.S.N. Advising
Because the plan of study is somewhat different than for M.S.N. students who already hold a B.S.N., students in the R.N.-M.S.N. option have two advisors available to assist them. In the beginning of the program (prior to B.S.N. completion) students work primarily with the R.N.-M.S.N. coordinator, Sherry Warden, especially for matters related to R.N.-M.S.N. progression. As students move toward their specialty courses, they work more closely with the faculty advisor in their specialty track.

General Policies and Academic Progression
All University, medical center and College of Nursing general policies apply to R.N.-M.S.N. students as described elsewhere in this handbook. All academic progression policies for the M.S.N. degree program apply to R.N.-M.S.N. students as well. This includes the policy that students may not progress to the next clinical course nor be certified as having completed the plan of study with a grade lower than a “B” in any clinical course.

Sample Plan of Study

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