Degree Requirements for the RN to MSN Bridge Program

The RN to MSN bridge program is designed to allow associate degree and diploma nurses to obtain a master’s degree with a focus as nurse administrator or nurse educator (pending approval)  in the most streamlined manner possible.  In addition, the RN to MSN bridge program will allow those nurses with baccalaureate degrees in disciplines other than nursing an opportunity to obtain a MSN.

During the first two semesters of study, these registered nurses complete undergraduate bachelor’s level nursing courses that provide the bridge to a master’s in nursing. An additional semester will be required for those students interested in becoming a nurse educator.  This special classification of students will not receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.   

Graduate Program Goals:

1. Assume advanced leadership roles in a variety of health care settings.
2. Exemplify ethical, legal, and professional standards for advanced nursing practice.
3. Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing and related disciplines in the roles of educator, administrator, or clinician.
4. Participate in research and other scholarly activities to expand nursing knowledge.
5. Work effectively in interdisciplinary relationships or partnerships to promote, maintain and restore the health of clients; improve health care delivery systems; shape health policy; or influence professional education.

REQUIRED SPECIFIC UNDERGRADUATE NURSING COURSES (24 HOURS)

ENG 3430 Professional Writing*

NUR 3210 Professional Role Development and Practice Issues

NUR 3311 Health Assessment Across the Life Span

NUR 3315 Pathophysiology

NUR 4312 Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing Practice

NUR 4314 Nursing Research

NUR 4321 Community Health Nursing

NUR 4320 Concept Integration of Complex Patient Care

NUR 4322 Policy, Politics and Ethics in Professional Nursing Practice

NUR 4421 Professional Clinical Role

*Professional Writing is not a requirement for RN to MSN Bridge program students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in another discipline.

Transfer of Undergraduate Credit
The college from which credit is to be transferred must be accredited by one of the six recognized regional accrediting associations. The dean of the school of the student's plan, with the advice and consent of the academic advisor of the student's plan, will make the decision concerning the application of transfer credit to the degree program

The following courses are required for attaining the Master of Science in Nursing Degree.

REQUIRED CORE NURSING COURSES (12 HOURS)

NUR 6301 Advanced Inquiry and Advanced Inquiry

NUR 6306 Professional Role, Policy and Ethics  

NUR 6307 Nursing Theory

NUR 6351 Evidence-Based Practice Project

ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION

Choose one of the following:

Nurse Administration:  RN to MSN Bridge students interested in Nurse Administration will take the Nursing core courses, in addition to the courses listed below:

•  NUR 6309 Advanced Nursing Leadership and Management
•  NUR 6313 Theories and Methods of Teaching and Learning in Nursing
•  NUR 6316 Healthcare Organizational Behavior (Cross-listed as MGT 6351)
•  NUR 6317 Human Resource Management in Healthcare (Cross-listed as MGT 6374)
•  NUR 6318 Healthcare Delivery Systems and Organization
•  NUR 6319 Healthcare Finance
•  NUR 6320 Healthcare Informatics
•  NUR 6321 Leadership Practicum

 

TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED CORE NURSING COURSES	12 hours
ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION	24 hours
TOTAL	36 hours

Nurse Education: RN to MSN Bridge students interested in Nurse Education will take the Nursing core courses, in addition to the courses listed below:  

•  NUR 6310 Advanced Clinical I
•  NUR 6311 Advanced Clinical II
•  NUR 6312 Measurement and Evaluation in Nursing Education
•  NUR 6313 Theories and Methods of Teaching and Learning in Nursing
•  NUR 6314 Development of Nursing Curriculum
•  NUR 6315 Practicum in Teaching in Nursing
•  NUR 6320 Healthcare Informatics
•  NUR Elective, can be selected from the following options:

NUR 6300 Special Topics

NUR 6304 Advanced Pathophysiology

NUR 6305 Advanced health Assessment

NUR 6318 Healthcare Delivery systems & Organization (Cross-listed as MGT 6351)

NUR 6319 Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Economics (Cross-listed as MGT 6374)

NUR 6323 Foundations of Adult Education (Cross-listed as FED 6334)

NUR 6324 Diversity and Adult Education (Cross-listed as FED 6335)

TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED CORE NURSING COURSES	12 hours
ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION	24 hours
TOTAL	36 hours

Requirements for Graduate Admission

Applicants to the graduate nursing programs must meet all requirements for graduate admission as described in the ADMISSIONS section of this catalog.  In order to be considered for admission a student must send the following credentials to the Office of Admissions and Records:

1.  A completed application for graduate admission which includes the graduate studies action form.
2.  Applicants to the RN to MSN Bridge program must have completed a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than Nursing.
3.  Applicants to the RN TO MSN Bridge program without a Baccalaureate degree must have graduated from an accredited by one of the six recognized regional accrediting associations as describe in the ADMISSIONS section of this catalog.  
4.  Applicants to the RN to MSN Bridge program must provide evidence of current RN Texas licensure and current CPR certification.
5.  Official transcripts reflecting AT LEAST the last 60 hours of coursework completed AND the baccalaureate (or higher) degree conferred, sent directly from each institution to UH-Victoria.
6.  Applicants to the MSN Bridge program must provide a short essay which includes career goals and expectations for the desired program of study.
7.  Two letters of recommendation.

Your approval to the MSN program depends on the following:

•  A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on at least the last 60 semester credit hours you have attempted at the college and/or university level.
•  Content of essay which includes career goals and expectations for the desired program of study.
•  Content of  two letters of recommendation.
•  Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT).   The critical thinking exam must be taken prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate nursing course work.  

Transfer of Graduate Credit

Credit may be transferred only for graduate credit courses completed with a grade of A or B. The transfer student must complete 75% of the coursework required for a degree program at UHV unless transferring from a UH System institution. In the latter case, the student must complete 50% at UHV. It Is the student's responsibility to provide course description and course syllabi for consideration.   

It is the student's responsibility to provide course description and course syllabi for consideration. Approval of transfer credit toward the MSN degree is by the appropriate academic advisor of the student's plan and school dean of the student's plan.