School of Nursing

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 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.

Program Objectives:

• Synthesize and apply theories, models, and research from nursing and related science as a framework for advanced nursing care.
• Incorporate the core knowledge of nursing into an advanced practice role to promote, maintain and restore health of clients.
• Utilize advanced knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology and health assessment in the provision of direct client care.
• Provide culturally competent care at an advanced level in response to human diversity and societal needs.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills for advanced nursing practice as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Engage in Scholarly inquiry to investigate clinical problems and improve clinical practice.
• Participate in the political process to influence health and social policy.
• Analyze implications of legal, ethical and financial accountability for nursing practice.
• Collaborate with clients, health care providers and community leaders to effect change that improves health and the environments of care.

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REQUIRED SPECIFIC UNDERGRADUATE NURSING COURSES (24 HOURS)

ENG 3430 Professional Writing*

NUR 3440 Introduction to Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

NUR 4314 Nursing Research

NUR 4312 Leadership and Management in Nursing Practice

NUR 4320 Integration of Concepts in Complex Patient Care

NUR 4321 Community Health Nursing

NUR 4421 Clinical Concepts in the Professional Role

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

REQUIRED SPECIFIC GRADUATE NURSING COURSES (12 HOURS)

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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:

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TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED UNDERGRADUATE NURSING COURSES 24 hours

REQUIRED SPECIFIC GRADUATE NURSING COURSES 9 hours

ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION 27 hours

TOTAL 60 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:

* Pending approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

* Electives can be selected from the following Options:

NUR 6304 Advanced Pathophysiology

NUR 6305 Advanced Health Assessment

NUR 6318 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Organization

NUR 6319 Health Care Policy, Finance and Economics

NUR 6320 Healthcare Informatics

NUR 6323 Foundations of Adult Education (taught by School of Education and Human Development as Adult Education Certificate course)

NUR 6324 Diversity in Adult Education (taught by School of Education and Human Development as Adult Education Certificate course)

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TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED UNDERGRADUATE NURSING COURSES 24 hours

REQUIRED SPECIFIC GRADUATE NURSING COURSES 9 hours

ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION 27 hours

TOTAL 60 hours

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Requirements for Graduate Admission

Applicants to the graduate nursing programs must meet all requirements for graduate admission as described in the ADMISSIONS section of catalog. http://www.uhv.edu/catalog/Admissions_GraduateAdmission.asp

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 program must have completed a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than Nursing.
3. Applicants to the RN TO MSN 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 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 program must provide evidence of current RN Texas licensure and current CPR certification.
7. Applicants to the MSN program must provide a short essay which includes career goals and expectations for the desired program of study.
8. Two letters of recommendation.

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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/undergraduate course work

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. A total of 9 semester hours of graduate course work is allowable.

A transfer student may transfer course work from another institution if the institution is accredited  by one of  the six recognized regional accrediting associations, the credit is of college level , and the credit is on the school's official transcript. The School of Nursing will determine if the course work may be applied toward a degree.

Page last updated: Wednesday, November 5, 2008