Accelerated RN-to-MSN Program
This program is for registered nurses who currently have a diploma or associate degree in Nursing. The program provides an accelerated path into the Master of Science in Nursing program. The baccalaureate upper-division Nursing major includes both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses to satisfy the requirements of the baccalaureate degree. The basis of the acceleration is the substitution of graduate credits for credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students are awarded a BSN after completion of 120 credits at the 300–400 level. Students progress to 500-level courses once a BSN is awarded. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Sacred Heart University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791, (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). “
Admission Requirements
The program is limited to academically talented students who have experience in nursing and demonstrate a commitment to nursing leadership and advanced practice. Students apply through online Admissions directly for the RN-to-MSN program.
The criteria for admission include:
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- RN license in state of practice
- One (1) year of nursing experience preferred
- Proof of liability insurance
- Completed application, statement of professional goals, résumé, two letters of recommendation (one from a current supervisor and one from a professional peer), and official copies of transcripts of all prior nursing and academic work
- Interview with an admissions representative for faculty review
Degree Requirements
Students will be advised by a graduate faculty member. Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 while they complete the plan of study listed below. However, many requirements may be completed through challenge exams.
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.
Degree Requirements
Additional Required Courses for the BS in Nursing
Foundational Core — University and Nursing Requirements
Academic Writing:
Art/Design/Comm.:
Can Choose From Various Courses (3 credits)
History:
Literature:
| ENG 260 | Literature of Illness & Healing | 3 |
Logic:
Math:
| MA 101 | Modern College Mathematics | 3 |
| or a higher-level Math course | |
Natural Science:
| BI 161 | Introduction to Microbiology | 3 |
| and | |
| BI 162 | Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
Philosophy:
| PH 221 | Historical Development of Philosophy | 3 |
Religion:
| TRS 265 | Introduction to World Religions | 3 |
| or | |
| TRS 266 | Understanding Religion | 3 |
Social Science:
Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology (3 credits)
Required Supporting Courses:
| Social Science: Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology | 3 |
| | |
| BI 128 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| and | |
| BI 129 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| MA 131 | Statistics for Decision-Making | 3 |
| CH 120 | Drugs & Their Implications to Society | 3 |
| or | |
| CH 130 | The Chemistry of Nutrition | 3 |
Catholic Intellectual Tradition Seminars
| CIT 201/202 | The Human Journey Seminars: Great Books in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition | 3 CR each |
Thematic Liberal Arts Core
Humanities:
Ethics (3 credits)
Social Science:
Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology (e.g., Lifespan Development, Child Development, Global Health, Health Psychology) (3 credits)
Natural Science:
| BI 126 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| and | |
| BI 127 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
Free Electives
For RN–MSN students, free electives may include:
| NU 315 | The Human Journey of Nursing | 3 |
| NU 335 | Information & Technology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 355 | Leadership in Contemporary Nursing Practice | 3 |
| and/or | |
| NU 382 | Management of Home Healthcare Agencies | 3 |
| or transfer courses | |
Required BSN Courses for Accelerated Degree RN–MSN—All Tracks
NU 290
| | |
| NU 325 | Health Assessment for RNs | 3 |
| NU 376 | Care Management: Individuals & Families | 4 |
| NU 387 | Populations & Global Health Nursing | 5 |
| NU 401/NU 501 | Healthcare Policy & Ethics for Contemporary Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 430/NU 601 | Principles of Healthcare Research for Contemporary Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 431 | Evidence-Based Practice for Quality Care | 3 |
| NU 433 | Theory & Professional Roles for Contemporary Nursing Practice | 3 |
Total: 54 credits
Courses in the Nursing major are generally taken after the majority of general education courses have been completed. NU 401, 430, 431, and 433 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.
- Students who have completed and received SHU credit for an academic writing course are exempt from Freshman Seminar.
- MA 131 must be completed before NU 431
- The Validation of Prior Learning is awarded upon admission and validation of courses.
Required Courses for MSN in Nursing Management and Executive Leadership
Required Courses
| NU 511 | Role Development for Nursing Management & Executive Leadership | 3 |
| NU 521 | Creating a Professional Work Environment | 3 |
| NU 575 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| NU 576 | Management of Financial Resources | 3 |
| NU 617 | Healthcare Delivery Systems | 3 |
| NU 665 | Quality & Safety in Practice | 3 |
| NU 672 | Nursing Management & Executive Leadership Practicum | 3 |
| NU 673 | Capstone: Nursing Management & Executive Leadership | 3 |
Practicum Hours: Minimum of 120
Total Specialty Hours: 24 credits
Required Courses for MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader Track
Required Courses
| NU 550 | Family & Community Context for Healthcare | 3 |
| NU 553 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NU 554 | Application of Comprehensive Health Assessment Methods | 3 |
| NU 575 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| NU 605 | Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NU 611 | Care Management & Resources Across the Continuum | 3 |
| NU 612 | Disease Management & Outcomes Assessment | 3 |
| NU 680 | Clinical Nurse Leader Role Practicum | 3 |
| NU 681 | Capstone: Clinical Nurse Leader | 3 |
Role Immersion Hours: Total of 400 clinical hours across 6 courses
Total Specialty Hours: 27 credits
Required Courses for MSN in Nursing Education
Nursing Education Track
In addition to the core requirements and capstone, students in the MSN program in the Nursing Education track are required to complete the following plan of study:
Required Courses
| NU 553 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NU 554 | Application of Comprehensive Health Assessment Methods | 3 |
| NU 575 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| NU 588 | Theoretical Basis of Teaching & Learning in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NU 589 | Curriculum Development & Evaluation in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NU 605 | Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NU 619 | Principles of Patient & Staff Education | 3 |
| NU 690 | Nursing Education Role Practicum | 3 |
| NU 691 | Capstone: Nurse Educator | 3 |
Education Role Practicum Hours: Minimum of 120
Total Specialty Hours: 27 credits