The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to a California Registered Nurse (RN) license. Students who wish to practice in a state other than California may or may not have additional requirements to complete prior to applying for the RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s University is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states. Contact Marie Seitz at mseitz@msmu.edu to discuss additional requirements that may be needed to obtain an RN license in a state outside of California.
At the completion of the baccalaureate nursing program, the graduate will have met the following objectives and will:
Upon the completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree: Major in Nursing, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and is also qualified to apply for the Public Health Nursing Certificate issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
The BSN program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The faculty of the BSN Program has the right and the responsibility for evaluating the quality of the student's achievement, both in the mastery of theoretical content and in clinical competence. Mid-term warning, probation, or dismissal is used when deemed necessary. The following academic policies apply:
Departmental policy statements regarding grading, mathematical competence, clinical progression, incomplete grades, probation, absences, dismissal, and readmission to the program are provided to the student at the beginning of the nursing major. During the clinical portion of the program, students must:
For up to date polices and procedures refer, to the current MSMU Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student handbook.
Multiple agencies are used for clinical practice and include the following: private and public acute and subacute health care facilities, community health sites, and public and community health care agencies.
Schedules for clinical and class times are subject to change and may include evenings and weekends.
Traditional BSN Program
The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to a California Registered Nurse (RN) license. Students who wish to practice in a state other than California may or may not have additional requirements to complete prior to applying for the RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s University is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states. Contact Marie Seitz at mseitz@msmu.edu to discuss additional requirements that may be needed to obtain an RN license in a state outside of California.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, acceptance into the BSN Program is determined by the BSN Admission Committee. Admission is based upon a consideration of the student's academic achievement. There is a formal review of the student's high school achievement record, grade point average, University Entrance Examination scores, previous college experience (if any). Students who intend to major in nursing are advised to take high school chemistry. A student may repeat a course required for the nursing major no more than once. Failure (C- and below) of any two required science or pre-requisite courses results in non-admission.
In order to be eligible for review, applicants must be admitted to the University and then fulfill the nursing admission requirements. Admission to the sophomore nursing courses is considered for the fall semester only and is based on:
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Science GPA: 2.7 or higher
- English GPA
- Entrance Exam
- Social Science GPA
LVN to BSN Admission Policy
LVNs that have been accepted by the University and have completed the general education requirements of the first two years may challenge sophomore level nursing courses and move directly into junior level nursing courses.
LVN to RN Non-Matriculation 26 unit Option
A non-degree R.N. option is available for applicants licensed as LVN’s in California. After completing 26 units of prescribed courses, the student is eligible to take the California examination for the R.N. Licensure. The student is not a graduate of the BSN Program and does not receive a Degree. This option is available in any of the pre-licensure programs at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Practice as a Registered Nurse with a CA license outside the State of California may be limited.
RN to BSN Admission Policy
Registered Nurses who apply to the BSN program may be given transfer credit for previous nursing courses equivalent to the sophomore and junior level nursing courses. Validation of clinical competence is required prior to entry into the program. In addition, applicants need to meet university admission requirements and BSN program admission policies for RN to BSN applicants.
Criteria for Guaranteed Admission for High School Students
Mount Saint Mary’s University Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program extends eligibility, to be reviewed for admission, to high school student applicants who qualify for guaranteed (direct) admission consideration by meeting the following requirements. Meeting the following requirements does not necessarily constitute a guaranteed (direct) admission spot.
- Complete two science advanced placement courses with AP or IB test scores of four or five or complete three years of science in high school with a GPA of 3.5 or greater on a four point scale or 4.25 or greater on a five point scale. Of these three years of science requirements, the student must complete at least one year of chemistry and one year of biology.
- Achieve an overall high school GPA of 3.8 or greater on a four point scale or 4.25 or greater on a five point scale.
- Complete three years of math with pre-calculus as the minimum attainment.
- Achieve a total score greater than 1170 on the
new SAT, including a minimum score of 600 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
(SAT-EBRW) and a minimum score of 570 in Math (SAT-M) OR an ACT composite score
of 24 or greater. For applicants submitting old SAT scores, they must achieve a
total score greater than 1650, including a minimum score of 550 in Critical
Thinking (SAT-CR), a minimum score of 550 in Math (SAT-M), and a minimum score
of 550 in Writing (SAT-WR).
Once the student is accepted and enters the University under the guaranteed (direct) admission program, they will declare nursing as their baccalaureate major and be considered a part of the Department of Nursing. To progress into nursing courses, the student must do all of the following:
- Complete and pass (C or higher) all nursing prerequisite courses at the University during the first (freshman) year.
- Maintain an overall Science GPA of 3.2 and Cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Obtain a minimum score of 70 or above on the Kaplan evaluation taken during the freshman year.
Once a guaranteed (direct) admission student has completed nursing pre-requisites and achieves the above requirements, the student will move into the sophomore nursing courses.
Should a guaranteed (direct) admission student fail to meet the minimum requirements above in the freshman year, she or he will not progress to the sophomore nursing courses. The student will then be eligible to be added to the general pool of pre-nursing admission candidates for that academic year, provided they meet the Traditional BSN admission requirements.
If a student does not meet the Traditional BSN admission requirements, they have an option to do a second year as a pre-nursing major and reapply to the program the following spring.
TBSN Curriculum Requirements
Nursing Requirements
Freshman Year (Pre-requisite Requirements)
CHE 3 | Foundations of Chemistry | 3 |
| or | |
PHS 1 | Scientific Concepts | 3 |
BIO 50A | Human Anatomy | 3 |
BIO 50AL | Human Anatomy Laboratory | 1 |
BIO 50B | Human Physiology | 3 |
BIO 50BL | Human Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
BIO 3 | General Microbiology | 3 |
BIO 3L | General Microbiology Lab | 1 |
PSY 1 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
SOC 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
ENG 1A | Freshman English | 3 |
ENG 1B | Freshman English | 3 |
SPE 10 | Introduction to Communication | 2 |
FYS
| FYS 1 and FYS 2 | |
MTH 10 | Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematical Ideas | 3 |
Sophomore Year
NUR 12T | Nutrition and Health | 2 |
NUR 13T | Pharmacology I | 1 |
NUR 14T | Pharmacology II | 2 |
NUR 55T | Adaptation Nursing: Foundations of Nursing and Roy Adaptation Model | 7 |
NUR 55TP | Adaptation Nursing: Foundations of Nursing and Roy Adaptation Model | 0 |
NUR 56T | Pathophysiology | 3 |
NUR 57T | Adaptation Nursing: Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab | 1 |
NUR 62T | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I | 7.5 |
NUR 62TP | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I | 0 |
| | |
LACE
| Central Core Course | 3 |
| | |
PHI 21 | Moral Values and Ethical Decisions | 3 |
| or | |
RST 41 | Introduction to Christian Ethics | 3 |
| | |
PSY 12 | Lifespan/Human Development | 3 |
| or | |
PSY 15 | Global Lifespan Development | 3 |
Junior Year
NUR 168T | Integrative Theory and Practices | 1.5 |
NUR 169T | Pallative Care | 1.5 |
NUR 170T | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II | 4.5 |
NUR 170TP | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II | 0 |
NUR 171T | Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health | 4.5 |
NUR 171TP | Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health | 0 |
NUR 172T | Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families | 4.5 |
NUR 172TP | Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families | 0 |
NUR 173T | Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health | 4.5 |
NUR 173TP | Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health | 0 |
| | |
PHI 168A | Contemporary Moral Problems | 3 |
| or | |
PHI 168B | Bioethics | 3 |
| or | |
RST 149 | Biomedical Issues in Christian Ethics | 3 |
| | |
PHI 5 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| or | |
PHI 10 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
Senior Year
NUR 134T | Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
NUR 184T | Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy | 4.5 |
NUR 184TP | Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy | 0 |
NUR 185T | Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology | 4.5 |
NUR 185TP | Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology | 0 |
NUR 186T | Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice | 5 |
NUR 186TP | Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice | 0 |
NUR 187T | Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health | 4.5 |
NUR 187TP | Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health | 0 |
NUR 188T | Adaptation Nursing: Advanced Health Assesment | 2 |
| Integrative Scholarship (Any 2 courses that meets) | 6 |
*SOC 1, PHI 21 or RST 41, and PHI 168A or PHI 168B or RST 149 are required as part of the LACE General Education requirements, starting with the Fall 2018 Catalog.
To graduate with a BSN degree, students will need to complete the LACE requirements. This will encompass a central core course sophomore year in addition to the courses noted above.
*NUR 186T and NUR 186TP fulfill the capstone requirement for TBSN.
Please note, those courses with Practicum units above are the clinical courses in the curriculum. They must be passed with a C or better. A C- or lower grade will result in program dismissal.
AccBSN Program
The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to a California Registered Nurse (RN) license. Students who wish to practice in a state other than California may or may not have additional requirements to complete prior to applying for the RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s University is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states. Contact Marie Seitz at mseitz@msmu.edu to discuss additional requirements that may be needed to obtain an RN license in a state outside of California.
AccBSN Application Procedure
AccBSN applicants must submit the following documents:
- Completed admissions application
- Personal statement of intent
- Official transcripts of all college work
- Two recommendations by those acquainted with the applicant's ability to succeed in an accelerated curriculum.
- Personal interviews may be scheduled.
- Complete the ABSN Math Test with a score of 100%. Remediation through the MSMU Learning Resource Center (LRC) will be required for those students who have been accepted into the ABSN option but did not score 100% on the math exam.
AccBSN Program Admission Requirements
The AccBSN program is open to persons who have previously completed a Baccalaureate degree and who meet specific admission requirements. Admission to the program is open twice a year. Please see the website for specific deadlines.
To be considered for admission, students must be graduates of an accredited four-year college or university with an earned cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
AccBSN Entrance Requirements
Before admitted students begin the program, they must:
- Complete the necessary health forms and immunizations (See Health Policies, Department of Nursing.).
- Be current in CPR (Healthcare Provider BCLS/Professional Rescuer CPR).
- Carry malpractice insurance.
- Complete a First Aid Course.
- Submit a successful completion of a Criminal Background check as outlined in clinical policies
- Drug Screening
- Have achieved a score of 100% on the ABSN math test. Remediation through the MSMU Learning Resource Center (LRC) will be required for those students who have been accepted into the ABSN option but did not score 100% on the math exam.
LVN to RN Non-Matriculation Option (26 unit option)
See option under the Traditional BSN option.
Transfer Articulation for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science – Major in Nursing
Mount Saint Mary's University accepts completed Baccalaureate degrees from accredited colleges and universities as evidence of fulfillment of MSMU General Education requirements with the exception of philosophy and religious studies. To fulfill these requirements, students must complete two courses in each discipline.
Costs/Financial Aid/Registration
Tuition for the AccBSN program is the same as the standard Mount Saint Mary’s University undergraduate tuition and fees for three semesters. There is a nursing fee for each of the three accelerated sessions. Please refer to the Fees and Expenses for exact figures and guidelines.
While AccBSN students are not eligible for Mount Saint Mary's grants or scholarships, students may be eligible for federal, state, or private grants or loans. In order to qualify, students must send the FAFSA forms to the processor no later than January 15. Information on financial aid eligibility will be sent prior to the deposit deadline. A non-refundable deposit fee of $400.00 is due on the date specified in the acceptance letter.
Nursing Pre-requisite Requirements (starting Summer 2016)
An eligible applicant entering the ABSN option Fall 2015 or thereafter, must have also completed the following requirements prior to beginning the program:
Nursing Pre-requisite Requirements:
*Chemistry or Physics |
(4 units) |
*Human Anatomy with Lab |
(4 units) |
*Human Physiology with lab |
(4 units) |
*Microbiology with Lab |
(4 units) |
Human Nutrition |
(3 units) |
General Psychology |
(3 units) |
Life-span Developmental Psychology (Infant through Older Adult ) |
(3 units) |
Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology |
(3 units) |
Written Communication (ENG 1A or ENG 1B) |
(3 units) |
Oral Communication |
(3 units) |
*Must have been completed within five years prior to admission
General Education Requirements
Philosophy |
(3 units) |
Philosophy |
(3 upper division units, must be MSMU Bioethics) |
Religious Studies Courses |
(6 units) |
AccBSN Degree Curriculum Requirements for Students Entering Fall 2015 and thereafter
The AccBSN program requires 127 units which includes 60 Nursing department units and 3 units of upper division Bioethics. Admitted students must complete their total curriculum plan at Mount Saint Mary’s University. They may not take required nursing courses at other institutions. A sample program is listed below.
Courses
1st Semester
NUR 13A | Pharmacology I | 1 |
NUR 14A | Pharmacology II | 2 |
NUR 55A | Adaptation Nursing: Foundations of Nursing and Roy Adaptation Model | 6 |
NUR 55AP | Adapt Nur: Fnd of Nur/Roy Adap | 0 |
NUR 56A | Pathophysiology | 3 |
NUR 57A | Adaptation Nursing: Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab | 1 |
NUR 62A | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I | 8 |
NUR 62AP | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I | 0 |
2nd Semester
NUR 168A | Integrative Theory and Practices | 1.5 |
NUR 169A | Pallative Care | 1.5 |
NUR 170A | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II | 3.5 |
NUR 170AP | Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II | 0 |
NUR 171A | Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health | 3.5 |
NUR 171AP | Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health | 0 |
NUR 172A | Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families | 3.5 |
NUR 172AP | Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families | 0 |
NUR 173A | Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health | 3.5 |
NUR 173AP | Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health | 0 |
PHI 168B | Bioethics | 3 |
3rd Semester
NUR 134A | Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
NUR 184A | Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy | 3.5 |
NUR 184AP | Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy | 0 |
NUR 185A | Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology | 3.5 |
NUR 185AP | Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology | 0 |
NUR 186A | Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice | 4 |
NUR 186AP | Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice | 0 |
NUR 187A | Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health | 4 |
NUR 187AP | Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health | 0 |
NUR 188A | Adaptation Nursing: Advanced Health Assessment | 2 |
Please note, those courses with Practicum units above are the clinical courses in the new curriculum. They must be passed with a C or better. A C- or lower grade will result in program dismissal.