ADN to MSN
Currently not accepting applications. Please call the MSN Office for further information 213.477.2724.
Greetings from the ADN to MSN Program in Nursing at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles!
As a graduate of an Associate Degree in Nursing program, you are on the threshold of choice. You are a member of one of the most respected and trusted professions recognized in our communities. This is an exciting time of opportunity for you to return to nursing school. This is the time for you to choose. Your interest and desire in continuing your education affirms the commitment you have to promote the quality of life for those who depend on registered nurses as their advocates. If you choose to pursue a masters in nursing, you have taken the first step towards incredible growth with the outcome of applying your refined knowledge to others. Without a doubt, you will study with ardor however you will graduate with immense self-pride for your choice benefits countless others who will be touched by your caring and sensitivity to ensure a quality life with dignity for all the reasons why you chose to become a nurse.
Dr. Marsha Sato, Director of MSN Programs
Program Objectives
At the completion of the ADN to MSN Bridge curriculum, the students will be able to: (from AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education, 2008)
- demonstrate ability to utilize knowledge, theories and concepts gained from liberal arts education to assist in transitioning into graduate nursing education and practice (BSN Essential I)
- demonstrate ability to provide high quality health care using knowledge and skills in leadership, quality improvement and patient safety (BSN Essential II)
- understand and translate current evidence as a basis for their own professional nursing practice (BSN Essential III)
- deliver quality patient care utilizing their knowledge and skills in information management and patient care technology (BSN Essential IV)
- demonstrate knowledge of healthcare policies which influence the healthcare system, patient care, and nursing practice (BSN Essential V)
- demonstrate skills of negotiation, open communication, and collegial collaboration with multidisciplinary care providers (BSN Essentials VI)
- utilize knowledge in individual and population health promotion and disease prevention to improve patient population health outcomes (BSN Essential VII)
- demonstrate awareness for the inherent values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice into one's own practice (BSN Essential VIII)
- demonstrate ability to practice with individual patients, families, groups, communities and populations across the lifespan and continuum of healthcare environments (BSN Essential IX)
Curriculum
The program includes modified baccalaureate courses with special attention given to professional development issues to ensure a smooth transition from the field into teaching positions and advance practice opportunities.
Before starting the undergraduate Bridge Curriculum, students must complete the basic three General Studies requirements. This includes Critical Thinking, English Composition, and Speech. Other General Studies and pre-requisites required to meet College graduation requirements (maximum of 6 courses) can be taken while enrolled in the program. General Studies courses that meet articulation standards can be transferred in for credit (maximum of 70 units). The undergraduate Bridge can be completed in one year as a full time student. Additional time may be required to complete the General Studies requirement for a BSN degree.
Upon completion of the ADN to MSN curriculum and college requirements, graduates are awarded both a BSN and MSN. Students may apply for their BSN once requirements are met (See BSN application). Graduates are also eligible to apply for certification as a Public Health Nurse through the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Admission Requirements
Entry can be at any point on the academic calendar; fall, spring, or summer however certain courses are prerequisite to others.
- Completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing Program and has a clear and current license to practice nursing in the state of California.
- Applicants have completed a minimum one year full-time continuous employment as a licensed RN within the last 5 years. New RN graduates who do not meet the requirement must be currently employed in an acute care clinical setting setting as a licensed RN. If unable to meet the requirement, the student must enroll in the RN externship course (NUR 110) every term until employment requirement has been met. (In order to be eligible for RN Externship course, the student must be a new graduate which is defined as 12 months or less).
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester units, or last 90 quarter units
- Complete Application and $50 fee
- Two letters of recommendation
- All licensure, certification, malpractice insurance and health requirements which includes Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, and TB must be provided. If positive for TB, negative Chest X-Ray results must be provided.
- One copy of an official transcript must be mailed directly to MSMC from ALL Colleges/Universities attended
- 3 pre-requisite General Studies courses (see below)
General Studies Courses
The basic three General Studies courses (to be completed prior to starting the Bridge) include:
- Critical Thinking (PHI 5, PHI 10, PHI 155 or ENG 1C) - 3 units
- English Composition (ENG 1B-or-1C) - 3 units
- Speech (SPE 10) - 2 units
Other General Studies requirements can be taken while in the program. (In order to be considered for the ADN to MSN Program, the applicant can have no more than 6 General Studies courses remaining). See General Studies requirements for baccalaureate degrees in the college catalog. The following are courses required by the ADN to MSN program:
- Statistics - 3 units (prerequisite for NUR 290)
- Microbiology - 4 units
- Human Anatomy - 4 units
- Human Physiology - 4 units
- Chemistry or Physics - 3 units
- General Psychology - 3 units
- Lifespan Psychology - 3 units
- Sociological Perspectives or Cultural Anthropology - 3 units
- Bioethics (upper division) - 3 units
See our articulation agreements for local Los Angeles colleges that offer courses that meet our College standards.
Course Listings
The ADN to MSN program is offered on a term format with courses scheduled in Fall, Spring, and Summer. In order to accommodate the professional working adult, classes are on weekends, during the weekday evening hours, and online. Courses focus on professional practice roles including leadership, management, health care policy issues, nursing research to guide practice, and community/public health nursing. Students are introduced to master level courses while taking the Bridge such as NUR 201 Theoretical/Conceptual Foundations of Nursing and NUR 203 Introduction to Graduate Studies. Students continue in the MSN program in either the Educator, Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Leadership/Administration track. The additional units of graduate course work vary dependent upon track.
Progression*
Students are considered undergraduates and adhere to undergraduate Academic Policies while they progress through the undergraduate Bridge program (minimum of 3 terms). During the Bridge, students must complete a minimum of 3 lower division General Studies courses (if applicable).
Students advance to graduate standing and adhere to Graduate Academic Policies under the following conditions:
Satisfactorily completed a minimum of 3 General Studies courses (if applicable). All lower division General Studies courses have been completed. Any outstanding General Studies requirements are to be completed at the upper division level and will be charged graduate tuition rate.
All Bridge nursing courses satisfactorily completed. A grade of C- or below in a required course or a nursing course is not accepted.
Cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher in last 60 semester units.
Statistics is a prerequisite for NUR 290.
Validation of clinical competence.
* The ADN to MSN Program requirements (courses and units) subject to change.
BSN Application
Students may apply for their BSN once the following requirements have been met:
- Bridge nursing courses satisfactorily completed. A grade of C- or below in a required course is not accepted.
- Satisfactorily completed the General Studies program as outlined for a baccalaureate degree. See College Catalog.
- Completed total of at least 124 semester units; 45 of these units must be upper division.
- Completion of NUR 290 Nursing Research and Methodologies with a C- or higher (taken as a graduate student in the MSN Program).
- Received credit for MSN practica of selected track. e.g. NUR 295 and NUR 297 for educator track (taken as a graduate student in the MSN program).
Financing Your Education
For Mount St. Mary's College Scholarship information please click here.
For outside scholarships, please consult the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education/financialaid.htm)
For Student Financing information please click here.
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