2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog

Nursing Completion Program (RN-to-BSN) (Accelerated RN-to-MSN Program)

The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides registered nurses who have graduated from accredited diploma or associate degree programs educational mobility in a program designed for the adult learner. No entrance exams are required for practicing licensed nurses. The upper-division curriculum has been specially designed for RN students returning to finish their baccalaureate education. Sacred Heart offers two RN–BSN completion programs: an all-online program and a contracted onsite program at selected hospital/organization sites, which combines online and onsite classes at these sites. Personal attention and interaction between the faculty and student are a major focus in the College of Nursing.

The RN-to-BSN program is student-friendly and tailored to meet the needs of adult learners. There are two courses in the curriculum with a practicum component: care management and public-health nursing. Students select preceptors and design learning objectives and strategies, with faculty approval, based on their personal learning needs and areas for growth. Students do not have to repeat previous clinical experiences. Required Nursing courses are upper-division courses and are designed specifically for RN students.

To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, the RN must complete 120 credit hours of study: 63 credit hours in prescribed general education courses and 57 credit hours in the major with at least a 2.8 GPA. A minimum of 30 nursing credits are awarded through the Connecticut Nursing Education Articulation Plan. The professional major is built on a core of sciences, humanities, social sciences, and mathematics courses. Prior to entry into the major, specific prerequisite courses must be completed at Sacred Heart University or another accredited college or by college-level examinations (CLEP). The last 30 credits of the RN–BSN degree must be taken at Sacred Heart University.

Accelerated RN-to-MSN Program

This program is for registered nurses who have graduated from accredited diploma or associate degree programs in nursing and provides an accelerated path into the Master’s in Nursing program. The baccalaureate upper-division Nursing major includes both undergraduate and graduate-level courses to satisfy the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. The basis of the acceleration is the substitution of graduate credits for credits toward the BSN. RN–MSN students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their course of study. All required undergraduate nursing courses for this degree are available online, as are the graduate nursing core courses and nursing courses required for the MSN in Nursing Management and Executive Leadership, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nursing Education tracks. Please refer to the Sacred Heart University Graduate catalog for additional information.

Admission Requirements for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN

This program is limited to students with experience in nursing who are seeking to complete their baccalaureate education in nursing. Students apply through the online admissions process directly for the RN-to-BSN program. Application materials must include:

  • For admission to the RN-to-BSN program, an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required.
  • For admission to the RN-to-MSN program, an undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or above is required for applicants covered by the CT Articulation Agreement. For applicants not covered by this agreement, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for the RN–MSN program
  • Official transcripts
  • Application
  • Two letters of recommendation (one from a supervisor and one from a peer)
  • Résumé
  • Statement of professional goals
  • Completion of the interview with an admissions representative for faculty review
  • Applicants must provide a copy of their RN license in their state of practice and must carry liability insurance. One year of nursing experience is preferred.

Prerequisite Courses to the Upper-Division Nursing Major

3 credits in social and behavioral sciences (PS 110, SO 110, PS 252), anthropology, political science, or economics

Take all of the following

BI 126Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I

3

BI 127Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory

1

BI 128Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II

3

BI 129Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory

1

BI 161Introduction to Microbiology

3

BI 162Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory

1

MA 131Statistics for Decision-Making

3

Validation of Prior Learning

Students may be awarded 30–36 Nursing credits through the State of Connecticut Nursing Articulation Plan. Students who graduate from schools in other states can be awarded 30 credits through endorsement of these courses. Students will be advised of their status by the Nursing faculty with credits shown as NU 290.

Additional Required Courses for the BS in Nursing

Foundational Core – University and Nursing Requirements

FS 103

FLO 125The Art of Thinking

3

FS 103: Academic Writing

FLO 125: Logic

Natural Science – Chemistry, Biology, or Physics (e.g., CHEM 020 or CHEM 030)

ENG 260

HI 100

PH 221Historical Development of Philosophy

3

 

TRS 265Introduction to World Religions

3

or

TRS 266Understanding Religion

3

ENG 260: Literature

HI 100: History

PH 221: Philosophy

TRS 266: Religion

Arts/Communication

Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology (Social Science)

MA 101Modern College Mathematics

3

or a higher level Math course

Catholic Intellectual Tradition Seminars

CIT 201/202The Human Journey Seminars: Great Books in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

3 CR each

Thematic Liberal Arts Core

Humanities: Ethics

Natural Science: Chemistry, Biology, or Physics (e.g., BI 161/162 Introduction to Microbiology with Lab)

Social Science: Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology (e.g., Lifespan Development, Child Development, Global Health, and Health Psychology)

Free Electives

For RN–BSN students, free elective(s) may include:

NU 382Management of Home Healthcare Agencies

3

or transfer course

For RN–MSN students, free electives may include:

NU 315The Human Journey of Nursing

3

and/or

NU 335Information & Technology for Nursing Practice

3

 

NU 382Management of Home Healthcare Agencies

3

Nursing Major Requirements—BSN

Required Courses

NU 290

NU 305Transition to Professional Practice

3

NU 315The Human Journey of Nursing

3

NU 325Health Assessment for RNs

3

NU 335Information & Technology for Nursing Practice

3

NU 345Evidence-Based Practice

3

NU 355Leadership in Contemporary Nursing Practice

3

NU 376Care Management: Individuals & Families

4

NU 387Populations & Global Health Nursing

5

NU 290: 30–36 undergraduate nursing credits

Required BSN Courses for Accelerated Degree RN–MSN—All Tracks

Required Courses

NU 290

NU 325Health Assessment for RNs

3

NU 376Care Management: Individuals & Families

4

NU 387Populations & Global Health Nursing

5

NU 401/NU 501Healthcare Policy & Ethics for Contemporary Nursing Practice

3

NU 430/NU 601Principles of Healthcare Research for Contemporary Nursing Practice

3

NU 431Evidence-Based Practice for Quality Care

3

NU 433Theory & Professional Roles for Contemporary Nursing Practice

3

Courses in the Nursing major are generally taken after the majority of general education courses have been completed. Nursing 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, and 355 (or NU 401, 430, 431, and 433 for RN-to-MSN students) must be taken before NU 376 or 387. Students are encouraged to review the University catalog for other policies and requirements related to timing of various course requirements, CLEP availability and timing, and credit for prior learning application procedures.

  1. Students who have completed and received SHU credit for an Academic Writing course are exempt from Freshman Seminar.
  2. MA 131 must be completed before NU 345 or NU 430.
  3. The Validation of Prior Learning is awarded upon admission and validation of courses.
  4. RN–MSN students take NU 401, 430, 431, 433 at the graduate level (instead of NU 305, 315, 345, which the RN–BSN students take).