WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department of Nursing

 RN to MS Professional Pathway

Winona State University is known for its high quality baccalaureate and masters programs in nursing. The RN to MS Professional Pathway is designed for highly motivated nurses who graduated with an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing, who have nursing experience, and whose goal is to earn a Master's Degree in Nursing.  Selected courses meet requirements for the undergraduate and graduate programs.  Students will substitute Master's-level credits for Baccalaureate-level credits in the RN to BS Completion program that count toward the BS degree.  Students must take ten (10) credits of specified 400/600 level double numbered courses thus reducing the remaining master's level credits to 33 - 46, dependent upon the number of credits required in the program to which the student is admitted.  Students will substitute NURS 409/608 Organizational and Systems Leadership (3 credits), *NURS 419/612 Advanced Health Promotion for Families (3 credits), NURS 499/613 Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical (1 credit), and NURS 414/604 Health Care Policy/Quality Health Care Delivery (3 credits) for NURS 465 Population-Based Health Care II and NURS 491 Professional Development in the RN to BS Completion program.  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.  A separate application is required for admission to the Master's Program in Nursing.

Admission to the RN to MS Professional Pathway

Students must meet additional admission requirements and should also consult the WSU Graduate Catalog.  Separate formal application to the Master's Nursing Program is required.  The application deadline for this program is typically October 15 of each academic year.  Acceptance in a program area is not guaranteed.  Further information can be obtained from the Department of Nursing http://www.winona.edu/nursingandhs/undergradnursing.asp at WSU-Rochester.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

1.	Acquire an Information Packet 507.285.7349 or 1.800.366.5418
2.	Submit three (3) official copies of transcripts from each institution attended: 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 to BS 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.	Meet with an MS Advisor to discuss RN to MS Professional Pathway application process
7.	Complete RN - BS - MS Application for Master's Program when the above course requirements* are complete

 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; one reference from a person practicing in the role for which the student is applying  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 are competitive in the pool of applications must meet additional criteria that include:       -Two years clinical practice experience       -Personal interview with graduate nursing faculty

 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.

*NURS 402/617	Advanced Clinical Pharmacology	3 SH
*NURS 404/616	Molecular/Genetic and Immune Mechanisms	3 SH

 *Master’s level courses taken as 400 level course credits count toward the BS degree and reduce the number of 600 level course credits needed for a master's degree to 33 - 46 credits.

• Master's Degree Program must be completed within seven (7) years of the first 400/600 level double numbered course taken
• Baccalaureate Degree requirements (128 credits)
• Master's Degree requirements (43 - 56 credits) 

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
NURS 415	Concepts in Professional Nursing	4 SH
NURS 435	Holistic Assessment	3 SH
NURS 375	Evidence Based Research	3 SH
NURS 475	Population Based Health Care I	4 SH
Semester II
NURS 455	Continuity of Care	4 SH
NURS 445	Evidence Based Leadership	3 SH
* NURS 409/608	Organizational and Systems Leadership	3 SH
* NURS 419/612	Advanced Health Promotion for Families (3 credits)	3 SH
* NURS 499/613	Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical (1 credit)	1 SH
* NURS 414/604	Health Care Policy/Quality Health Care Delivery (3 credits)	3 SH
* (substitute credits for NURS 465 Population-Based Health Care II and NURS 491 Professional Pathway)
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
NURS 415	Concepts in Professional Nursing	4 SH
NURS 435	Holistic Assessment	3 SH
Semester II
NURS 455	Continuity of Care	4 SH
NURS 445	Evidenced Based Leadership	3 SH
Semester III
NURS 375	Evidenced Based Research	3 SH
NURS 475	Population Based Health Care I	4 SH
Semester IV
* NURS 409/608	Organizational and Systems Leadership	3 SH
* NURS 419/612	Advanced Health Promotion for Families (3 credits)	3 SH
* NURS 499/613	Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical (1 credit)	1 SH
* NURS 414/604	Health Care Policy/Quality Health Care Delivery (3 credits)	3 SH
* (substitute credits for NURS 465 Population Based Nursing and NURS 491 Professional Development)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SJM/sb 7.20.12

 

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 9:24 AM