RN to MSN
This program is a Dual/Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Program. The requirements for admission to and progression of the RN to MSN Program is as follows:
1) The candidate must be an RN who is admitted to and enrolled in the BSN program at WSU.
2) A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or above is required when the
student is ready to begin the MSN coursework and must be maintained in all undergraduate/graduate work throughout the RN to MSN program.
3) A 3.25 GPA or above is required in the following areas:
a. all undergraduate nursing courses
(calculated separately from other non-nursing courses);
b. the following 4 science courses: Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology,
Pharmacology, Pathophysiology. A grade of “D” is not acceptable in
any of these required courses.
4) At the time a student makes the commitment to progress through the RN to MSN program, if circumstances do not allow for completion of MSN requirements, a BSN degree could be awarded, based on completion of all BSN course requirements. Courses taken at the graduate level will be posted as undergraduate credit if the RN to MSN is not completed.
5) RN to MSN advisors from the undergraduate and graduate programs will provide the student with information regarding requirements and will assist in completing a plan of study.
6) Ten hours of baccalaureate course work will be replaced by graduate courses.
Undergraduate course
NURS 345 Health Assessment (4 hours)
Career enhancement elective (3 hours)
Replacement graduate course**
NURS 701/702 Advanced Health Assessment/Lab (3 hours)
N703 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 hours)
Upper division elective
N801: Health Care Systems: Policy & Politics (3 hours)
**Note: If no previous pathophysiology course work was taken, you are required to successfully complete HS400, Introduction to Pathophysiology
(or equivalent course approved by the School of Nursing), as the remaining required hours of career enhancement elective.
7) A portfolio documenting successful recent nursing practice must be submitted to the Director of the Undergraduate Program before applying to the graduate program and completion of at least 6 hours of RN to BSN nursing coursework. The portfolio includes your resume and three references from supervisors (two references may be from academic nursing faculty members in lieu of supervisors) verifying professional nursing expertise. References should also include verification of health assessment skills and pathophysiology knowledge. Portfolios are reviewed by a committee of undergraduate and graduate faculty members. The cost for portfolio review is currently $40.00 (subject to change). Please submit a check for $40.00 made payable to Wichita State University along with the portfolio.
8) During the last semester of undergraduate nursing course work, associate degree students will be asked to complete a form requesting posting of 25 hours of retroactive credit. An administrative fee will be charged for posting these credits on the WSU transcript (currently $50.00). Diploma RNs will follow the procedure for earning credit by exam (CrE). Must meet the WSU undergraduate requirements including 60 hours of study from a 4-year college, 45 hours of study at the upper division level (300+ or above course numbers), and 30 hours of course work from WSU.
Transition from the Undergraduate to the Graduate Portion of the Program:
9) Students approved for the RN to MSN program are eligible to apply to the Graduate School upon approval of the portfolio. Students must meet the admission criteria of the WSU Graduate Nursing Program including successful completion of an approved statistics course taken within the last 5 years. At the top of the Graduate School application form indicate in writing RN to MSN Degree. Proof of Kansas Registered Nurse license, and coverage by professional liability insurance are required. Submit evidence of these items to the Graduate Nursing Program.
10) Upon admission to Graduate School, a graduate faculty advisor will be assigned. Students are required to see their advisor during their first graduate semester (or before) to develop an academic plan.
11) All students must apply to a specialization within the School of Nursing Graduate Program after admission to the Graduate School. Applications may be obtained from a faculty advisor or from the Graduate Nursing Office.
12) To complete the RN to MSN Plan, a minimum of 163*** hours (114 undergraduate and 49** graduate) is required. *** The MSN and MBA dual degree would require additional hours.
13) There is a six year time limit for completing a graduate degree (the MSN portion). Any exceptions must be approved by the Graduate School. Applications for BSN & MSN degrees
14) All students must apply to receive a degree. Apply for both BSN and MSN degrees as follows:
BSN- Apply for BSN degree upon successful completion of all BSN and replacement MSN courses. Submit degree card to College of Health Professions, Dean's Office, 402 Ahlberg Hall.
MSN- Apply no later than the 20th day of the final master's semester. Submit degree card to Graduate School, Jardine Hall. MSN- For summer graduation, apply no later than the 10th day of the summer session, but preferably follow the previous spring semester’s deadline in order to participate in the spring ceremonies.
*See Wichita State University Graduate School “Dual/Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program Guidelines.”
Approved School of Nursing 5/16/08; revised 9/18/08.