Nursing Completion Programs (RN-to-BSN and Accelerated RN-to-BSN-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 126 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BI 127 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 128 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BI 129 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| MA 131 | Statistics for Decision-Making | 3 |
| TRS 340 | Bioethics: Religious Approaches | 3 |
| or | |
| PH 251 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PS 251 | Life Span Development Psychology | |
| BI 161 | Introduction to Microbiology | 3 |
| BI 162 | Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| CH 120 | Drugs & Their Implications to Society | 3 |
| or | |
| CH 130 | The Chemistry of Nutrition | 3 |
| SO 110 | Sociological Imagination | 3 |
| PS 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| MA 101 | Modern College Mathematics | 3 |
| or | |
| MA 105 | Mathematical Applications for Health Sciences | 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 125 | The Art of Thinking | 3 |
| BI 161 | Introduction to Microbiology | 3 |
| BI 162 | Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| ENG 201 | Experiencing Literature | 3 |
| HI 100 | Western Civilization I, Ancient to 1500: Citizenship, Democracy, & Culture | 3 |
| AR 101 | Art in the Western World | 3 |
| PH 221 | Historical Development of Philosophy | 3 |
| TRS 265 | Introduction to World Religions | 3 |
| PS 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Natural Science – Chemistry, Biology, or Physics (e.g., CHEM 120 or CHEM 130)
Students are required to transfer in or take BI 126/127, BI 128/129, BI 161/162, and Chemistry.
| BI 126 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BI 127 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 128 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BI 129 | Nursing Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 161 | Introduction to Microbiology | 3 |
| BI 162 | Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| CH 120 | Drugs & Their Implications to Society | 3 |
| or | |
| CH 130 | The Chemistry of Nutrition | 3 |
Arts/Communication
| AR 101 | Art in the Western World | 3 |
Catholic Intellectual Tradition Seminars
Each student must take CIT 202.
| CIT 201/202 | The 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 382 | Management of Home Healthcare Agencies | 3 |
| or transfer course | |
For RN–MSN students, free electives may include:
| NU 315 | The Human Journey of Nursing | 3 |
| and/or | |
| NU 335 | Information & Technology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| and/or | |
| NU 382 | Management of Home Healthcare Agencies | 3 |
Nursing Major Requirements—BSN
Required Courses
NU 290
| | |
| NU 305 | Transition to Professional Practice | 3 |
| NU 315 | The Human Journey of Nursing | 3 |
| NU 325 | Health Assessment for RNs | 3 |
| NU 335 | Information & Technology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 345 | Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NU 355 | Leadership in Contemporary Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 376 | Care Management: Individuals & Families | 4 |
| NU 387 | Populations & 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 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 |
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.
- 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 345 or NU 430.
- The Validation of Prior Learning is awarded upon admission and validation of courses.
- 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).