Nursing Completion Programs (RN to BSN and Accelerated RN to BSN to MSN Program)
The RN to BSN 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. Personal attention and interaction between the faculty and student are a major focus in the Davis & Henley College of Nursing.
RN to BSN Program
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. 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 14 prerequisite credits, 49 liberal arts and science credits, and 57 nursing major credits. Up to 90 credits can be transferred in to complete the program in just a year and a half.
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 to BSN degree must be taken at Sacred Heart University.
RN to BSN to MSN Program
This program is for registered nurses who have graduated from accredited diploma or associate degree programs in nursing. The program 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 to BSN to 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 & RN to BSN to MSN
This program is available to students with or without 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 or RN to BSN to MSN 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 BSN 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 to BSN to MSN program
- Official transcripts
- Application
- Two letters of recommendation (one from a supervisor and one from a peer)
- Résumé
- Statement of professional goals
- For RN to BSN students, a copy of a current unencumbered U.S. RN license from your state of practice and a copy of any other state RN license prior to starting NU 345, NU 355, NU 376, and NU 387
- For RN to BSN to MSN students, a copy of a current unencumbered U.S. RN license from your state of practice and a copy of any other state RN license prior to starting any 400 level nursing course, NU 376, and NU 387
- Documentation of individual professional liability insurance coverage that meets current state requirements
Degree Requirements:
Validation of Prior Learning
Students who graduate from schools in other states can be awarded 30 credits through endorsement of these courses. Students may be awarded 30–36 nursing credits through the State of Connecticut Nursing Articulation Plan. 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
First Year Seminar 3 credits
CTL 125 Critical Thinking 3 credits
HI 100 or HI 102 History 3 credits
Philosophy 3 credits
Theology/Religion 3 credits
Arts/Design/Communication 3 credits
Social/Behavioral Science 3 credits
MA 101 Foundational Math Course 3 credits
MA 131 Statistics 3 credits
Prerequisite Courses to Nursing Sequence
Social/Behavioral Science 3 credits
BI 126 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 credits
BI 127 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 3 credits
BI 128 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 credits
MA 131 Statistics for Decision Making 3 credits
Catholic Intellectual Tradition Seminar
Each student must take CIT 202.
| CIT 201/202 | The Human Journey Seminars: Great Books in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition | 3 CR each |
Liberal Arts Explorations
Humanistic Inquiry 3 credits
Social & Global Awareness 3 credits
Scientific Literacy 3 credits
Electives as needed to reach 120 credits.
Nursing Major Requirements—RN-to-BSN
Required Courses
| 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 |
Nursing Major Requirements - RN-to-BSN-to-MSN (BSN courses)
Required Courses
NU 290
| | |
| NU 315 | The Human Journey of Nursing | 3 |
| 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 |
| NU 475 | Health Care Information Systems | |
Courses in the Nursing major are generally taken after the majority of general education courses have been completed. NU 305, NU 315, NU 325, NU 335, NU 345, and NU 355 (or NU 401, NU 430, NU 431, NU 433, and NU 475 for RN to BSN to MSN students) must be taken before NU 376 or NU 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 to BSN to MSN students substitute five nursing graduate level courses in lieu of similar undergraduate nursing course requirements. The five courses are: NU 401/501, NU 430/NU 601, NU 431/NU 602, NU 433/NU 530, & NU 475/NU 575.