Moravian College
Department of Nursing
RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge Program
for Nurses with Non-Nursing B.S./B.A. Degrees
Program Overview: RN’s with baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing disciplines are eligible to apply to the RN to MSN Bridge Program. Once students fulfill Baccalaureate Nursing Competencies, they are eligible to apply for full acceptance into the MSN Program. Students demonstrate competency through previous course work, relevant experience, challenge examinations, and completion of Moravian College courses. The MSN Program Coordinator, in consultation with the Department Chairperson, will determine which of the Baccalaureate Nursing Competencies must be completed. This will be documented on the “RN to MSN Program Acceptance Agreement” and placed in the student’s academic file.
Phase I: Initial Requirements
Below are initial entrance requirements for RN Students with Non-Nursing degrees:
● Completion of the “Application to Enroll in Courses as a Non-Matriculated Student”
● Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
● Grade Point Average (GPA) 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) from pre-licensure RN program
● Active RN licensure in Pennsylvania or eligibility for licensure by endorsement
● Two (2) professional references, one from a nursing supervisor
Students in the RN to MSN Bridge program are non-degree seeking and considered “non-matriculated” while completing baccalaureate level competency courses as outlined in this document.
With permission of the course instructor and MSN Program Coordinator, a student in the RN to MSN Bridge program, with > 3.0 cumulative GPA in the non-nursing baccalaureate degree program, may take up to two (2) graduate level courses while completing competency courses on a space-available basis. These courses would be MSN program requirements and count towards the master’s degree.
For the student whose GPA from the non-baccalaureate degree program is < 3.0, up to two graduate level courses may be completed on a space available basis once a GPA of 3.5 is achieved from at least three (3) of the required RN to MSN Bridge competency courses completed at Moravian College.
Graduate courses in the graduate program which can be taken by eligible RN to MSN Bridge students include:
NURS 502: Epidemiology and Bioinformatics
NURS 504: Policy, Quality and Safety in Health Care
CCBU 536: Law, Regulations and Ethics in Health Care
NURS 530: Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 532: Advanced Pharmacology
NURS 534: Advanced Health and Physical Assessment
Phase II: MSN Program Application
Students are eligible to submit their final application materials to the MSN Program’s Admissions Committee once they have completed at least half of the prescribed competency courses or course equivalents.
Below are the requirements for RN to MSN Bridge Students to fully matriculate into the MSN Program.
● Completion of the “Application for Admission to the Master’s of Science (MSN) Program in Nursing”
● Completion of RN to MSN Bridge course competencies taken at Moravian College with at least a 3.00 QPA on a 4 point scale.
● MSN Program acceptance by the MSN Admissions Committee
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Descriptions of Baccalaureate Nursing Competencies:
The following table (column on left) displays the basic general education courses that are baccalaureate requirements for RN’s who receive their baccalaureate degrees in the discipline of nursing.
Competency / Approaches to Demonstrating CompetencyBIOL 205: Pathophysiology / ● RNs must complete course equivalent
BIOL 206: Microbiology for the Health Science / ● RN’s must complete course equivalent
PSYC 207: Lifespan Developmental Psychology / ● RN’s must complete course equivalent
CHEM 108: Chemistry / ● RN’s must complete course equivalent
MATH 107: Statistics / ● RN’s must complete course equivalent
The following table (column on left) displays Nursing courses that are baccalaureate requirements for RN’s who receive their baccalaureate degrees in the discipline of nursing. Suggestions are provided for an alternative approaches for demonstrating competency for RN’s who receive their baccalaureate degrees in other areas of study.
Nursing Competency / Approaches to Demonstrating CompetencyNURS 324: Cornerstone of Professional Nursing / ● This is a required course competency.
NURS 331: Holistic Assessment / ● RNs must complete course equivalent
NURS 332: Embracing the Dynamic and Challenged Community / ● RNs must complete course equivalent
NURS 333: Evidence-Based Nursing Practice / ● RN’s must complete course equivalent
NURS 334: Professional Nurse as Emerging Leader / ● RN’s must complete course equivalent
Original Approval: 12/15/2009 Revised by GCET: 2/18/2015; 4/22/2015; 10/7/2015 Approved; NFO: 10/16/2015
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