Gannon University

PATRICIA MARSHALL, M.S.N., R.N., CCRN, Undergraduate Program Director

The RN to MSN option of the Villa Maria School of Nursing is designed for selected nurses holding an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing who seek a Master's of Science in Nursing. Students in this option are not awarded a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. Experienced registered nurses from NLN accredited programs, who have demonstrated leadership potential are eligible to apply. Students may earn credits through CLEP, challenge examinations, portfolio option courses or transfer credits. Up to thirty-two (32) nursing articulation credits are granted for previous basic nursing education.

Admission Requirements

1. An associated degree or diploma in nursing from a NLN accredited program.

 

2. Evidence of current registered nurse licensure in the United States and eligibility to
   obtain a registered nurse license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

 

3. Four years of full-time work experience as a registered nurse within the past five years or
   1,000 hours per year for the past four years.

 

4. A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the basic program completed

 

5. Personal interview with the Undergraduate Program Director or Director of the School

 

6. Three references reflecting leadership skills, communication skills, and motivation for a
   higher degree.

Curriculum Plan
Undergraduate Courses:

NOTE: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required upon progression to the graduate option.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

NURS 203: Transition to Professional Nursing
This internet course is designed to provide learning opportunities for RN to BSN or RN to MSN students to broaden their perspectives of the professional nursing role in health care delivery. This course introduces the major concepts of Person, Society, Health, and Nursing. The process for creation of and validation of course outcomes by portfolio is presented, practiced and refined.
Prerequisites: PSYC 111, 222, DIET 202, BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118, CHEM 105, 108, LENG 111. Internet
5 credits, Fall or Spring

NURS 400 : Portfolio for NURS 404
Students ready to complete a portfolio for NURS 404 Nurse Power Politics register for this portfolio course in the semester the portfolio is to be completed. Portfolio process and criteria are published in the Villa Maria School of Nursing Handbook. The assigned course (NURS 404) credits may be included in the student’s credit load and applied toward financial aid. The credits for the course are posted to the transcript upon completion of the portfolio and payment of appropriate fees.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
0 credits, Fall, Spring or Summer

NURS 401 : Portfolio for NURS 408
Students ready to complete a portfolio for NURS 408 Management and Leadership in Nursing register for this portfolio course in the semester the portfolio is to be completed. Portfolio process and criteria are published in the Villa Maria School of Nursing Handbook. The assigned course (NURS 408) credits may be included in the student’s credit load and applied toward financial aid. The credits for the course are posted to the transcript upon completion of the portfolio and payment of appropriate fees.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
0 credits, Fall, Spring or Summer

NURS 402: Portfolio for NURS 414
Students ready to complete a portfolio for NURS 414 Promoting Healthy Communities register for this portfolio course in the semester the portfolio is to be completed. Portfolio process and criteria are published in the Villa Maria School of Nursing Handbook. The assigned course (NURS 414) credits may be included in the student’s credit load and applied toward financial aid. The credits for the course are posted to the transcript upon completion of the portfolio and payment of appropriate fees.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
0 credits, Fall, Spring or Summer

NURS 414NU: Promoting Healthy Communities
This hybrid internet course provides RN to BSN or RN to MSN option students a perspective of professional nursing at the community level of practice. Course content will provide an overview of specific issues and societal concerns that affect community health nursing practice; epidemiological applications in community health nursing; educational theories, models, and principles applied in community health nursing; risk factors and health problems for defined populations across the lifespan; issues and approaches in providing for the health care of defined populations in the community; specific health care needs and issues for populations at risk; communicable disease risk and prevention; and the diversity in the role of the community health nurse. Students apply previous knowledge and the nursing process in maximizing the health status of individuals, families, and defined populations within the community. Adult learning teaching strategies are employed in this courses. The RN student participates in faculty guided-independent clinical experiences.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
5 credits, Fall or Spring

For course descriptions of NURS 309 and 404 refer to the undergraduate curriculum section.

Refer to the School of Nursing Handbook for policies related to the RN to BSN student.

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