Online RN – MSN Pathway for RN’s with a Non-Nursing Bachelor Degree

This pathway is available to registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a discipline other than nursing.

Requirements For Admission

Students are admitted to this pathway as Provisional Admission; the admissions criteria are the same as for Provisional Admission to the MSN track for BSN prepared RN’s.

Provisional Admission

1. Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions. Nurses with any restrictions on their license, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, cannot be admitted.
2. A minimal grade-point average of 2.75 on all undergraduate work (A=4.00).
3. Submission of the NursingCAS Application by the posted deadline.
4. Submission of a resume which documents clinical experience. (Note: Prior to enrolling in a nurse practitioner clinical course, students are required to have at least 2 years of experience in an area appropriate to the specialty track.)
5. After acceptance into the program, admission is contingent upon a negative drug screen, results of an acceptable background check, submission of Health Data Forms, evidence of Health Insurance, and completion of Certified Profile Medical Records Manager.  Instructions provided in acceptance letter.

Note: Prior to enrolling in a nurse practitioner clinical course, students are required to have at least 2 years experience in an area appropriate to the Specialty track.

Progression Requirements

The following nursing courses must be completed with a GPA of at least 2.75 prior to enrolling in graduate nursing specialty courses: NU 404, NU 450 or NU 452. Students who have earned a GPA of less than 2.5 will be academically dismissed from the Graduate School. Students in the RN to MSN track follow the same progression as students in the regular MSN  program.

Program Completion Requirements

Students in the RN – MSN pathway follow the same degree requirements and progression policies as students in the MSN track for BSN prepared RN’s with the addition of the above listed courses.

Online MSN Program for BSN Prepared RN’s

The Post BSN Pathway is designed for Registered Nurses who hold a bachelor of science in nursing degree from an accredited institution.

Requirements for Admission

Students are admitted each semester as space is available in the selected specialty track. Students are admitted to a specialty track and may not change their track without prior permission. Students must be in good standing with all academic institutions/nursing programs that they have attended in order to be admitted to the MSN program.

All courses are offered completely in the on-line format, for the convenience of working nurses. Students log on anytime and anywhere to complete web-based courses that are expertly designed and highly interactive. Students complete the clinical requirements for the degree in their home communities.

Regular Admission

1. Graduate of an approved bachelor’s program with a major in nursing.
2. Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions. Nurses with any restrictions on their license, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, cannot be admitted.
3. A minimal grade point average of 3.0 on all BSN work (A=4.0).
4.  Submission of a resume which documents clinical experience. (Note: Prior to enrolling in nurse practitioner clinical course, students are required to have at least 2 years of experience in an area appropriate to the specialty track.)
5. After acceptance into the program, admission is contingent upon a negative drug screen, results of an acceptable background check, submission of Health Data Forms, evidence of Health Insurance, and completion of Certified Profile Medical Records Manager.  Instructions provided in acceptance letter.

Provisional Admission

1. Graduate of an approved bachelor’s program with a major in nursing.
2. Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions. Nurses with any restrictions on their license, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, cannot be admitted.
3. Provisional: A minimal grade point average of 2.75 on all BSN work (A=4.0)
4. Submission of a resume which documents clinical experience. (Note: Prior to enrolling in a nurse practitioner clinical course, students are required to have at least 2 years of experience in an area appropriate to the specialty track.)
5. After acceptance into the program, admission is contingent upon a negative drug screen, results of an acceptable background check, submission of Health Data Forms, evidence of Health Insurance, and completion of Certified Profile Medical Records Manager.  Instructions provided in acceptance letter.

Note: Prior to enrolling in a nurse practitioner clinical course, students are required to have at least 2 years experience in an area appropriate to the Specialty track.

Non-Degree Admission

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from accredited institution.
2. Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions. Nurses with any restrictions on their license, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, cannot be admitted.
3. A minimal grade-point average of 2.75 on all undergraduate work (A=4.00). 

• Admission for non-degree students in selective courses may not be available due to class size or required prerequisite.
• All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within five calendar years from admission as a graduate student at the Northampton University College of Nursing.

A Master of Science in Nursing program helps students prepare for opportunities for specialization in a variety of fields. Nurses build on their academic and practical credentials, using this knowledge to identify and solve patient care issues, leading to better health outcomes for individual patients and for society as a whole. Leadership, administrative, and quality improvement skills are incorporated throughout the program.

All coursework is offered online. Students may continue to work while completing degree requirements. As with all NOrthampton online programs, faculty members are available to support students via phone, email or using other forms of technology.

A simulation skills lab on campus helps students refresh and master skills and competencies required for the specialty.

Four of the courses in the MSN program are offered at a doctoral level, so that students moving on to a Doctor of Nursing Practice program will have already completed 12 credit hours required for the degree.

MSN Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSN program, graduates should be able to:

• Integrate advanced knowledge, evidence, and theories from nursing and related disciplines into a specialized area of advanced nursing practice through the use of scholarly writing.
• Demonstrate competence in advanced nursing roles to meet current and emerging health needs of a global changing society.
• Use scientific inquiry to identify problems and individualize patient care designed to improve care outcomes.
• Apply advanced knowledge of leadership and management to influence health policy to transform care delivery systems and improve healthcare quality.
• Contribute to the focus and direction of the nursing profession.

Pathways to an MSN

The College of Nursing has several pathways to enter the online MSN program to accommodate many educational backgrounds.

• Post BSN
• Post Graduate Certificate (for MSN prepared nurses who are interested in certification in a new specialty area)
• RN to MSN (for associate degree or diploma prepared nurses who have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing)
• RN to BSN/MSN (for associate & diploma RN’s) – A special program to prepare associate and diploma prepared Registered Nurses earn the Master of Science in Nursing degree. On completion of the first phase of the program, students earn a BSN degree. On completion of the second phase of the program the student will earn the MSN degree. 
• Accelerated BSN/MSN (for non RN’s) – Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and who are not RN’s may qualify for the Accelerated MSN program.

Additional Information

1. The MSN program is an online program. Coursework is completed online and clinical hours can be completed in your region with an approved Preceptor.
2. Nurse practitioner track students are required to report to the CON for about 3-5 days for orientation. Additional onsite visits may be required and are listed on the specialty track’s web page. Please refer to the Available Tracks within the MSN program below.
3. GRE and/or MAT– not required
4. Letters of reference – not required
5. All MSN students pay the same tuition rate: Web Course Tuition for Graduate Students
6. All requirements for the MSN degree must be completed within five calendar years from admission
7. Additional requirements for admission are located in the Northampton University Undergraduate/Graduate Bulletin.
8. Students are responsible for costs related to the required admission background check and drug screen. Students are responsible for all travel costs for any required on-campus visit and for travel costs to clinical sites.
9. Students are responsible for all costs related to monitoring/proctoring tests and identity authentication when required by a course.

The Northampton University College of Nursing RN to BSN Pathway is specifically designed to meet the needs of Registered Nurses with a current RN license seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

The RN to BSN Professional Component consists of courses that address knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are needed to be successful in today’s dynamic healthcare settings. You will enjoy challenging yourself as you explore relevant topics related to modern day professional nursing issues. This program is taught entirely online and is a flexible option for working students who are managing work and family responsibilities as well as educational assignments. Graduates will have the skills to provide enhanced patient care, critique and apply research to clinical practice. Graduates will increase their skills and knowledge about informatics in healthcare, will have a better understanding of global health issues, and will be better prepared to collaborate with the interprofessional team in providing quality care in multiple work settings.

Online RN to BSN Professional Component

1. The Professional Component consists of six (6) fully online nursing courses for a total of 24 credit hours.
2. These courses must be completed at the Northampton University USA.
3. Upper division nursing courses taken at another institution will not transfer or apply toward the 24 credit hours required to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at USA.
4. Students proceed through the six online nursing courses at their desired pace.
5. The Professional Component may be completed in a minimum of two (2) semesters.
6. The Professional Component must be completed within five (5) years of beginning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum.

Online Professional Component Course Work – 24 Total Credit Hours

• NU 450 Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nursing Practice (4 credit hours)
• NU 451 Current Issues and Trends in Professional Nursing Practice (4 credit hours)
• NU 452 Clinical Prevention and Population Health (4 credit hours)
• NU 453 Information Management and Technology in Healthcare (4 credit hours)
• NU 454 Research and Evidence Based Practice Practicum (4 credit hours)
• NU 455 Concepts of Interprofessional Practice (4 credit hours)

The College of Nursing has a special Accelerated BSN/MSN Pathway for academically qualified and highly motivated individuals that have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Students are admitted twice each year: January and July.

The pre-professional component must be completed prior to admission to the professional component in nursing.  Enrollment into the pre-professional component as a nursing major does not assure the student admission to the Professional Component. 

The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College select applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Enrollment in the Professional Component is limited and competitive. Students are admitted without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or qualified disability. Students must be in good standing with all academic institutions/nursing programs that they have attended in order to be admitted to the BSN program.

Students in the Professional Component are required to complete clinical requirements. BSN students may be required to complete clinical rotations on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as well as weekdays.

Students in the first 12 months of the Accelerated BSN/MSN Pathway follow the same promotion/progression policies as students in the Traditional BSN Pathway. Students have the option of enrolling in three fully-online MSN level courses – NU 578: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses, NU 545: Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing, and NU 518: Advanced Nursing Assessment.

At the end of the 12-months of study, students are awarded the BSN degree and are prepared for the NCLEX-RN certification exam.