WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department of Nursing

 RN – MS Pathway

Winona State University is known for its high quality baccalaureate and masters programs in nursing. The nursing department now offers a unique pathway for nurses who have (1) completed an associate degree or diploma nursing program, (2) have nursing experience, and (3) plan to acquire a master’s degree in nursing.    

 Selected individuals who meet the admission requirements and are highly motivated will substitute Master’s-level credits for Baccalaureate-level credits in the RN to BS Completion program that count toward the BS degree. Students may take 7-12 credits of 400/500 level double numbered courses thus reducing the remaining master’s level courses to 30-37 credits. Students plan their streamlined program with advisors from both the baccalaureate and master’s programs in anticipation of formal admission to the master’s program.

Full-time students complete an RN-BS-MS application to the master’s program at the time they enter the RN to BS Completion program. Part-time students will complete the RN-BS-MS application in the fall semester in the second or last year in the RN to BS Completion program. Students will apply to a particular focus in the master’s program (Adult or Family Practitioner, Nurse Administration, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Educator). Students must meet all criteria for admission to the RN to BS Completion program as well as admission guidelines to the RN- MS pathway.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

1. Acquire an Information Packet
(507)-285-7349 or 1-800-366-5418 Ext 7349
2. Submit 3 copies of all transcripts:
WSU Admissions Office
Master’s Program in Nursing-Rochester  
3. Complete WSU RN-BS Application for Evaluation of Credits
4.

Meet with an RN Completion Advisor

  • Full-time students must have all credits completed prior to beginning the RN Completion core nursing courses
  • Part-time students must have all credits completed prior to beginning the second or last year of the RN to BS Completion core nursing courses
5. Complete the RN to BS Completion Application
6. Complete RN-BS-MS Application for Master’s Program when the above course requirements * are complete.
7. Meet with MS Advisor
   

 SELECTION CRITERIA FOR RN-BS-MS PATHWAY:

  • Currently enrolled in the RN to BS Completion Baccalaureate Degree Program (full-time first semester, part-time third semester)
  • Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale
  • Accomplished a minimum of one year clinical nursing experience
  • Possess a current and valid RN license
  • Provide three professional and/or academic references
  • Provide a written description of personal and professional goals
  • Attain satisfactory scores on the TOEFL-test for international, or non English speaking students
  • Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spread sheet, and data based programs.
  • Students who plan to request consideration for admission to the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Clinical Nurse Specialist Focus must meet additional criteria that include:

      -Two years experience with adult/family clients

      -Personal interview

 

In cases where candidates have similar qualifications, preference will be given to applicants serving rural and/or underserved areas.

Nursing Electives:

Other 400/500 level, doubled number courses that may be taken as electives and count toward the baccalaureate degree and will reduce the number of 500 and 600 level credits needed for the master’s degree. These courses are registered at the 400 level.

* N402/502 Clinical Pharmacology
* N404/504 Advanced Pathophysiology

3SH
3SH

 *Master’s level courses taken as 400 level course credits count toward the BS degree and reduce the number of 500 and 600 level course credits needed for a master’s degree to 30-42 credits.

 MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE FIRST 400/500 LEVEL DOUBLED NUMBERED COURSE TAKEN

 BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQIREMENTS (128 CREDITS)

MASTER’S DEFREE REQUIREMENTS (40-49CREDITS)

(Masters level courses taken as 400 courses are applied toward the BS Degree)

 

SAMPLE FULL-TIME PLAN OF STUDY TO COMPLETE THE BACCALAUREATE PORTION OF THE RN-MS PATHWAY

 (All other course requirements for the BS Degree are completed before beginning this sequence)

Semester I

N415 Holistic Caring   4SH
N435 Holistic Assessment   3SH
N375 Evidenced Based Research   3SH
N475 Community Health Nursing   4SH

 Semester II

N455 Continuity of Care

 

4SH
N445 Evidenced Based Leadership

 

3SH
*N419/519 Advanced Health Promotion 3SH
*N408/508 Advanced Role Seminar 2SH
*N414/514 Health Care Policy & Finance  3SH

* (substitute credits for N465 Population Based Nursing – 4SH & N491 Professional Development – 3SH)

 

SAMPLE PART-TIME PLAN OF STUDY TO COMPLETE THE BACCALAUREATE PORTION OF THE RN-MS PATHWAY

(All other course requirements for the BS Degree are completed before beginning the second or last year of the program)

 Semester I

N415 Holistic Caring
N435 Holistic Assessment

4SH
3SH

 Semester II

N455 Continuity of Care
N445 Evidenced Based Leadership

4SH
3SH

 Semester III

N375 Evidenced Based Research
N475 Community Health Nursing

3SH
4SH

Semester IV

*N419/519 Advanced Health Promotion
*N408/508 Advanced Role Seminar
*N414/514 Health Care Policy and Finance

3SH
2SH
3SH

* (substitute credits for N465 Population Based Nursing – 4SH & N491 Professional Development – 3SH)

 

 

 

 

LJ: 2002/ 2006/2008/2009

 

Last Modified: Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:12

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