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 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 completion of 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.
*The Community and Public Health Clinical Option requires the completion of 90 in person hours.
Program Objectives
- Liberal Arts Education
- 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 may be considered for admission.
- Cumulative science GPA of 2.50 - working RNs with a cumulative Science GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 may be considered for admission.
- * Applicants must hold a current, valid, and unencumbered RN license or be a recent ADN graduate preparing to take the NCLEX. Applicants who have not yet taken the NCLEX must submit their scheduled test date to the RN–BSN Director within 30 days of program enrollment.
* Enrollment in NUR 120T, NUR 120P, and NUR 133, as well as graduation from the RN–BSN program, requires a valid RN license. Students without a valid RN license will not be eligible to enroll in these courses or graduate
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, and provide proof of admission and/or enrollment.
- Complete the partnering institution’s prerequisites and lower-division general education requirements.
- Submit an admission application
- Submit all official college transcripts.
To remain enrolled in the Integrative Enrollment Pathway (IEP), students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Failure of a course in either the ADN program or IEP coursework may result in interruption of progression and/orparticipation in the IEP.
Students who are dismissed from the ADN program are required to withdraw from the IEP. Continued enrollment at the partner institution is a condition of participation in 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 accredited institutions (consult the Advanced Standing Section of the University Catalog for details). Upon acceptance and deposit, students are required to meet with a program Academic Advisor to review transferred credits and determine RN-BSN program pathway.
RN-BSN Clinical Option
Students are required to meet the health and safety requirements of our clinical affiliates and must provide them before attending a clinical site for this practicum.
Cost/Financial Aid
Program costs are based on tuition and applicable fees (see the university website), as well as the number of transferable credits applied, up to a maximum of 70 units. Students are required to meet with an advisor to develop an individualized plan of study that ensures all lower-division general education and degree requirements are completed.
Students should also 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. 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.
Residency Requirement Baccalaureate Degree:
https://msmu.smartcatalogiq.com/2024-2026/2024-2026-catalog/academic-policies-and-procedures/baccalaureate-degrees/baccalaureate-degree-requirements
ADN Curricula
| NUR 30 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| NUR 28 | Adult and Adolescent Mental Health Adaptation | 2 |
| NUR 28A | Principles and Practice of Advanced Interpersonal Skills | 1 |
| NUR 29 | Mental Health Practicum | 2 |
| NUR 31 | Children: Adaptation | 2 |
| NUR 32 | Children: Practicum | 2 |
| NUR 35 | Childbearing: Adaptation | 2 |
| NUR 36 | Childbearing: Practicum | 2 |
| NUR 37 | Gerontological Nursing: Adaptation | 2 |
| NUR 38 | Gerontological Nursing: Practicum | 2 |
| NUR 46 | Adult Adaptation Nursing III | 2 |
| NUR 47 | Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum III | 2 |
| NUR 33 | Professional and Management Issues in Nursing | 2 |
| NUR 48 | Professional Nursing Practicum | 2 |
RN-BSN Curricula
| NUR 101 | Role Transition & Professional Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NUR 108 | Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR 109 | Alterations in Human Health & Wellness | 3 |
| NUR 111 | Leadership & Healthcare Policy | 4 |
| NUR 168 | Integrative Theory and Practices | 1.5 |
| NUR 169 | Palliative Care | 1.5 |
| NUR 120T | Community and Public Health Nursing | 4 |
| NUR 121P | Community and Public Health Practicum Option | 0 |
| NUR 133 | Nursing Evidenced-Based Practice and Informatics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22.0 |
The Nursing courses in the RN-BSN program must be completed at Mount Saint Mary’s University.
To be eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nurse Certificate, students must concurrently enroll in NUR 121P (to complete 90 in-person clinical hours) and NUR 120T. Enrollment in these course requires California residency and an active California RN license.
NUR 133 fulfills the capstone requirement for RN-BSN.
RN-BSN General Education Courses
Spirit of the Founders
*RST 149
3 Units
*Required
Integrative Scholarship
See college catalog for course options.
6 Units
Total: 9 Units
The total. number of units required for the BSN degree is a minimum of 124 units, which must include a minimum of 45 upper division units. In addition, a student must complete all university general education and nursing major requirements.