RN to MSN Accelerated
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I apply directly to the MSN program from the beginning?
No. All students start by applying to the RN to BSN Completion program initially.
Upon successful completion of the BSN bridging coursework (see FAQ # 5), the student
can apply for admission to the MSN program. In addition to completing the the BSN
bridging coursework with a grade of 3.0/"B" or better, students must also complete
all of the general education (liberal arts) courses for the BS degree and maintain
a minimal GPA of 3.0 to qualify for admission to the MSN program.
- What is the advantage of the RN to MSN accelerated track?
The RN to MSN accelerated track is a hybrid of two existing degree programs at Ferris
for Registered Nurses (RN) who enter the profession after completion of an associate
degree or diploma nursing program. The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Completion program and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are combined
to provide all of the necessary components to allow an accelerated trajectory to the
MSN as the terminal nursing degree at Ferris. Upon completion of this track, the student
is awarded both the BSN degree and the MSN degree.
- How is this track "accelerated"? If the student meets the admission requirements for the MSN program after completion
of the BSN bridging courses (see FAQ # 5), the student is not required to take 10
NURS credits that are at the end of the RN to BSN program. This equates to a savings
of two semesters in the part-time RN to BSN program. The rationale for this allowance
is that students who are academically prepared will still be able to successfully
demonstrate mastery of the outcomes for these courses, but at a higher level in the
MSN program.
- What if I am not sure I want an MSN degree?
The RN to MSN track is not required for all students seeking the BSN degree. It is
just an option for those students who know that they want to complete this degree
after the BSN degree anyway. The good news is that students have some time to decide
if this is the right option for them while they complete the 300-level NURS courses
and other designated general education courses. It is always advised that students
investigate any academic program they are considering. For more information on the
MSN program, see the program web page:
- What is specifically required for the BSN Bridging coursework? The BSN Bridging course work is a combination of nursing (NURS) course and all of
the general education (liberal arts) requirements for the BS degree:
Students must complete the following NURS/CAHS courses & program requirements from
the RN to BSN Completion program check sheet with a grade of 3.0/"B" or better.
- NURS 325 Professional Nursing Skill Development: 1 credit
OR NURS 320 Professional Nursing Skill Development: 3 credit [beginning Fall 2011]
- NURS 324 Transition into Professional Nursing: 3 credits
- NURS 310 Population Based Health Promotion: 3 credits
- CAHS 315 Epidemiology & Statistics: 3 credits
- NURS 340 Community Nursing: 3 credits
- NURS 350 Research in Nursing: 3 credits
- Nursing Service Learning Project
- NURS 440 Leadership in Nursing: 3 credits
Students must also complete the following general education requirements for the BS
degree at Ferris. Note that many of these credits will transfer in as part of the
original Associate Nursing Degree, but there are some upper division requirements
that are not part of the associate degree:
- Communication Competence: 12 credits
- Scientific Understanding: 7 credits
- Social Awareness Electives: 9 credits
- Cultural Enrichment Electives: 9 credits
Students should work with their academic advisor for the RN to BSN Completion program
to assure that they meet all of the requirements above.
- When can I actually apply to the MSN program?
Students can apply for admission consideration to the MSN during the semester when
they are completing their last BSN Bridging Courses and BSN program requirements.
See the MSN program web page for the application guidelines or contact the CAHS Off-Campus
Student Support person for additional guidance in this process.
- What happens if I start the accelerated track or the MSN program, but can't finish
all of the courses?
Can I just earn the BSN degree instead? Yes, but in order to earn the BSN degree
you would be required to complete the remaining requirements for that degree as specified
on the RN to BSN completion check-sheet. In other words, the early MSN courses would
not be substituted for the BSN degree nursing requirements.
