Nursing

RN to BSN

Announcements

RN to BSN Online Orientation

Orientation to the online RN to BSN (RNB) program will be part of the first course taken by all newly admitted students. An online study module contains information, activities, and tools that will help ensure your comfort and success in this online nursing program.

In order to access this orientation module, you must first be enrolled in NURS 302 Bridge to BSN Education. You will receive instructions a few weeks prior to the start of the course on how to access this course online.

We're looking forward to 'meeting' each of you.

Admission Criteria

1. Admission to Minnesota State University Moorhead
2. Completion of 21 credits of Liberal Studies
3. Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.75
4. Two professional reference forms
5. Typed essay
6. Active RN license or scheduled to take State Board Exam
• Provisional acceptance will be granted to qualified students who are waiting to take the NCLEX Exam or receive results.

Admission Deadlines

Previously admitted students who withdrew need to reapply to the nursing program and to MSUM. Follow the dates below and see the Nursing Student Handbook for the policy.

Fall Semester:  February 1st
Spring Semester:  October 1st

Application Procedure

Two separate application processes must be completed:

1. First apply to MSUM.  Complete the application and mail the MSUM application to the Admissions Office.  Select Transfer student status. You must be accepted to MSUM before the nursing application is processed.  You will need to have a MSUM Dragon ID Number before applying to the Nursing program. 
   
2. After you are accepted into MSUM, you will apply to the Nursing Department. The nursing program application is online and you will need the free download Adobe Reader Type the information on the form, print, sign it.

   Submit the nursing application, two professional reference forms (from either a  supervisor, nursing colleague or nursing instructor), and the typed essay to:
   Nursing Department
   Minnesota State University Moorhead
   1104 7th Avenue S.
   Moorhead MN  56563

Post Admission Requirements

• Annual criminal background check
• Annual Tuberculin test clearance (Mantoux)
• Current CPR Certification at the AHA Healthcare Provider level or American Red Cross Professional Level
• Immunizations
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus

RN to BSN Curriculum

120 credits are required to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Most associate degree students transfer in at least 64 credits of lower division coursework, take 30 credits of upper division course work in the nursing major, and need 26 more credits of general studies (Dragon Core) or electives. At least 40 credits must be upper division credits.

64 cr lower division credits from associate degree
30 cr upper division credits for the BSN major
26 cr of Dragon Core or electives (10 cr must be upper division)
120 cr for graduation

Applicants with an Associate of Arts degree are considered to have the Dragon Core completed, so in some instances, it may be more advantageous for an applicant to complete course requirements for an AA degree at a community college.

After applying to MSUM for general admission, a transcript audit will be provided to identify which courses are accepted in transfer and what course work is still required. Review of transcripts are not provided prior to admission to MSUM.

All of the nursing courses are 100% online with clinical experiences for two courses (N348L and N475L) planned in your home location. An online course is not an independent course, however. Courses start and stop at the beginning and the ending of each semester and take as much time and effort as traditional courses. Students are advised to plan three hours of computer or preparation time for each credit of a course A 3-credit course would equal nine hours of study/preparation per week.

Revised Spring 2005 students admitted January 2005 or earlier will have different requirements so check with your advisor if you have any question.

*Nurs 302 must be taken the first semester a student is enrolled in the RN-BSN Track
**Nurs 474 Preceptorship Seminar must be taken at least the semester before registering for Nurs 475L.
***Nurs 475L Nursing Preceptorship is the capstone course of the nursing major taken in the last semester of the student's course of study. Any other course may be taken concurrently if a student has their RN License except for Nurs 302 and Nurs 474.