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School of Nursing

RN to MSN

RN to MSN Program

For ADN-prepared Registered Nurses
Minimum 46 semester credit hours


Our RN/MSN program begins with the foundation of your RN knowledge, skills and experience, and builds an expanded framework for advanced nursing practice in today's health care delivery systems. Designed for the RN with at least one-year of direct care nursing experience, this program enables you to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in nursing.

A full-time student may be able to complete the entire program in less than 3 calendar years. During this first year, you may earn from 20 to 30 upper division credits through the Nursing Portfolio program, a portfolio-writing course designed to guide you in earning college credits by documenting you RN employment experience.

Upon successful completion of the first year of courses in the RN to BSN bridge, you earn your BSN degree. By successfully completing the GRE and maintaining a 3.0 GPA students may begin the MSN coursework. The MSN degree requires four full-time semesters or 2 calendar years to complete.
Quick Links

»  Basic BSN Info
»  LPN to BSN Info
»  RN to MSN Info

MSN Concentrations
»  Care & Outcomes Manager
»  Family Nurse Practitioner


RN to BSN - Minimum Requirements for Admission

The first year of study includes coursework necessary to complete the BSN degree. Students who apply to the program must complete minimum entrance requirements, which include:




Nursing Prerequisite Courses:
(Prior successful completion of the following courses):
University Math Entrance
Two Years High School Algebra/Geometry or One Year College-Level Intermediate Algebra
Biology 201
Introduction to Microbiology  (4 semester credits)
Biology 205
Human Anatomy and Physiology I  (4 semester credits) (Natural Science)
Biology 206
Human Anatomy and Physiology II  (4 semester credits) (Scientific Method)
Chemistry 105
Chemistry of Life (Inorganic, Organic, and Biochemistry) (4 semester credits)
Psychology 101
Introduction to Psychology  (4 semester credits) (Social Science Line 2)
Psychology 352
Development: Infancy to Maturity  (4 semester credits)
Statistics 231
Introductory Statistics  (4 semester credits) (Math Reasoning)


General University Courses:

Foreign Language
Two Years High School or One Year College-Level
Fine Arts
Art, Music, or Theater  (4 semester credits)
Philosophy
Philosophical Studies  (excludes logic or critical thinking) (4 semester credits)
English (WR)
Writing  (4 semester credits)
English (LT)
Literature  (4 semester credits)
Social Science, Line 1
History, Anthropology, or Political Science (4 semester credits)
Physical Education
Four different activity courses (see School of Nursing for specific exemptions)

For consideration for admission, applicants must have:

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RN to MSN Program Sequence

First Year: RN to BSN Sequence:

Prior to first semester in program (i.e., Summer term at PLU)

Religion  Religious Studies  (4 semester credits)                  

First Semester

Nurs 399
Nursing Portfolio Workshop
Nurs 420
Introduction to Leadership and Management
Nurs 430
Nursing Situations with Communities


Second Semester

Nurs 360
Nursing Portfolio Workshop
Nurs 460
Health Care Systems & Policy
Nurs 499
Nursing Synthesis
Religion
Religious Studies  (4 semester credits)                    
If not completed during previous summer session


Upon successful completion of this coursework the student will gain the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during BSN courses and successfully complete the GRE in order to apply for and be accepted into the Master of Science in Nursing program. Please read complete MSN degree options and requirements online here.

For more information ...

Please contact us for more information, to schedule a visit, or to request an application:

Phone: (253) 535-7672
E-mail: gradnurs@plu.edu
or click here for an online information request form.

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