RN to MSN

The RN to MSN program is an innovative "bridge" program which allows diploma and associates degree registered nurses who do not hold a bachelor's degree to "fast track" to the graduate nursing program. Click on the links below to learn more about this program.

• Program Description
• Admissions Information
• Program Sequence

Program Description

Students begin their program of study in the Expressway RN program completing required individually-determined core, cognate, and Professional Nursing Major courses and then transition to the College Misericordia campus to complete required graduate courses in the selected clinical specialization. At graduation, students earn both the Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Nursing. To learn more about the graduate nursing clinical specialties, click on one of the links in the blue column to the left.

Admissions Information

Applicants to the RN to MSN program must meet all of the criteria for admission to the RN to BSN program as well as the following:

Full Admission: Registered nurse applicants are eligible for full admission if they have transcript evidence of a 2.70 GPA or higher on all associate's degree or equivalent college-level course work and acceptable MAT scores. Applicants whose GPA is 2.70 to 2.99 must have a MAT score at the 35th percentile or higher; applicants with a GPA of 3.00 or higher must have a minimum MAT score of the 25th percentile. Applicants must also provide verification of clinical practice requirements.

Denied Admission: Registered nurse applicants who have a GPA of less than 2.50 will be denied admission to the RN to MSN program.

Applicants to the RN to MSN Program must submit the following documentation in addition to that required by the College:

1. Official transcripts demonstrating graduation from an NLN accredited diploma or Associate’s degree program.
2. A copy of the applicant’s current professional nurse registration.
3. Official MAT scores.
4. A statement of professional goals for graduate education.
5. Letter(s) of verification of clinical practice hour requirements (A minimum of 1000 hours in the 3 years prior to application is required. This requirement is waived for applicants who have completed their basic nursing program less than 4 years prior to application.).

RN to MSN students who have questions regarding these or other admission requirements, should contact:

Program Sequence

Because this program is a "hybrid" of both the RN to BSN and the MSN programs, program sequence will vary. Please click on the RN to BSN link in the blue box on the left to learn about the program sequence in the Professional Nursing Major. The remaining credits in the RN to MSN program are dependent upon the clinical specialization selected. Click on any of the links in the blue box on the left to see the curriculum plan for the graduate nursing specializations.