Online RN to BSN (RN-BSN) - Major in Nursing

* The RN-BSN program offers ADN-prepared nurses a flexible path to earning a BSN degree in as little as three semesters. Delivered entirely online through the Doheny Campus, it provides a nontraditional approach to degree completion.

Students have the option to complete their general education requirements online or in person through the Weekend/Evening & Online College.

Individualized advisement is provided for all students to ensure successful completion of the BSN degree requirements.  

*The Community and Public Health Clinical Option requires students complete 90 in person clinical hours. 

Integrative Enrollment Pathway

*The Integrative Enrollment Pathway (IEP) offers a unique opportunity for ADN students to fast-track their nursing education. In partnership with Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU), the IEP allows you to begin BSN coursework at MSMU while still completing your ADN program. This concurrent enrollment model means you can earn your BSN in as few as two semesters after finishing your ADN. To apply, you must be accepted into a participating ADN program and provide proof of acceptance and official transcripts. Once accepted into the IEP, you'll meet with an advisor to develop a personalized academic plan. You can enroll in the IEP at any point during your ADN program.

*The Community and Public Health Clinical Option requires students complete 90 in person clinical hours. 

Program Objectives

•  Liberal Education for Baccalaureate the Generalist Nursing Practice
•  Basic Organizational & Systems Leadership for Quality of Care & Patient Safety
• Scholarship for Evidenced-Based Practice
•  Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology
• Health Care Policy, Finance & Regulatory Environments
• Inter-professional Communication & Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes
•  Clinical Prevention & Population Health
•  Professionalism and Professional Values
•  Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

Program Admission 

The RN-BSN program accepts applications for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Application deadlines are posted on the university website. Once admitted, students are required to attend an advisement session. 

The Integrative Enrollment Pathway (IEP) also offers admission during the fall, spring, and summer semesters admission cycles.  

Admission Criteria

RN-BSN

• Submit an admission application.
• Satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses.
• Submit all official college transcripts.
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.50 - working RNs with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 will undergo individual evaluation.
• Cumulative science GPA of 2.50 - working RNs with a cumulative Science GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 will undergo individual evaluation.
• Personal statement/essay – waived for former MSMU Associate Degree RNs.  
• * Applicants must either possess a current, valid, and unencumbered RN license or be a recent ADN graduate preparing to take the NCLEX. If you are preparing to test for the  NCLEX, you must provide your scheduled test date to the RN-BSN Director within 30 days of enrolling in the program.

* Enrollment in NUR 120T, 120P, and NUR 133, as well as graduation from the RN-BSN, requires a valid RN license. You will not be able to enroll in these courses or graduate without it.

Integrative Enrollment Pathway (IEP)

An application is not considered complete until all IEP admission requirements are met. 

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

• Be admitted to an ADN program at a partnering institution, indicating participation in the RN to BSN Integrative Enrollment Pathway.
• Complete the partnering institution’s prerequisites and lower-division general education requirements.
• Submit an admission application
• Submit all official college transcripts.
• Proof of admission and/or enrollment at the partnering institution.  

To remain in the Integrative Enrollment Pathway, you must maintain satisfactory progress in your ADN program. An unsuccessful attempt at completing the ADN program may result in interruption of your IEP participation, and dismissal from the ADN program will require you to withdraw from the IEP.

RN-BSN Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is awarded for courses completed at other accredited colleges or universities, subject to the fulfillment of Mount Saint Mary's University's curriculum requirements. The University allows a maximum of 70 transferable lower-division (or equivalent) semester units for coursework completed at regionally accredited institutions (consult the Advanced Standing Section of the University Catalog for details). Upon acceptance and deposit, students are required to meet with the RN-BSN Advisor to evaluate transferable credits and determine RN-BSN program pathway.

RN-BSN Clinical Option Requirements

Students are required to meet the health and safety requirements of our clinical affiliates and must provide them before attending a clinical site for the Community & Public Health Clinical Option.

Cost/Financial Aid

Program costs are determined by tuition fees (see the university website) and the application of transferable credits, up to a maximum of 70 units. It is recommended that students receive advisement to create an individualized plan of study to ensure all lower division general education and degree requirements are fulfilled. 

Students are encouraged to explore financial aid options and external scholarship opportunities.

General Education Courses

Transferable general education courses will be credited towards the RN-BSN degree. All students must also complete (9) semester units of upper division general education courses within the RN-BSN program. Students with a prior Bachelor's Degree may be eligible for a waiver of 6 general education units in the Integrative Scholarship category. Individual transcript evaluations will determine each student's specific general education needs for fulfilling the degree requirements.

Credit for Nursing Courses

Registered Nurses with a valid license may be granted credit for nursing courses completed at an accredited institution equivalent to MSMU's former ADN Program. The validation of these courses as demonstrating both clinical competence and equivalent coursework results in the awarding of 27 upper-division credit units.