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:
| Support and Liberal Core Courses (46 credits): | |
| Microbiology and lab/BIOL 106, 107 | 4 credits |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs/BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118 | 8 credits |
| Physiological Chemistry and lab/CHEM 105, 108 | 4 credits |
| Sociology/SOCI 110 | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Psychology/PSYC 111 | 3 credits |
| Human Growth and Development/PSYC 222 | 3 credits |
| Nutrition/DIET 202 | 3 credits |
| Statistics/PSYCH 211 or SOCI 351 or MATH 213 | 3 credits |
| Theology/LTHE 121 or Theology II Series/LTHE | 3 credits |
| Philosophy/LPHI 131 or Philosophy II Series/LPHI | 3 credits |
| Ethics (THEO/PHIL III Series course) | 3 credits |
| Fine Art Series/LFIN | 3 credits |
| Literature Series/LENG | 3 credits |
| Senior Capstone Seminar* see below | 3 credits |
| Undergraduate Nursing Courses (19 Credits) | |
| NURS 203 Transition to Professional Nursing | 5 credits |
| NURS 308 Research Process in Nursing | 3 credits |
| NURS 404 Nurse Power Politics** | 3 credits |
| NURS 408 Management & Leadership in Nursing** | 3 credits |
| NURS 414 Promoting Healthy Communities** | 5 credits |
**Portfolio option available
Nursing Articulation Credits (Up to 32 credits)
Graduate Courses- as per the option selected, upon completion of undergraduate course requirements
NOTE: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required upon progression to the graduate option.
#NURS 203: Transition to Professional Nursing
This hybrid 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.
Clinical laboratory time is required.
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.