ADN to MSN

The ADN-to-MSN Program offers a career mobility option allowing nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing to achieve a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in as little as 2 ½ years. Applicants for this program have graduated from an Associate Degree Nursing Program and are licensed to practice nursing in the state of California. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of one-year professional nursing experience before applying. Registered Nurse graduates of diploma programs will need to discuss curriculum options with the Director of the MSN Program as additional course work may be necessary.

Program Objectives

At the end of the ADN-to-MSN Program, the students will be able to:
1) demonstrate awareness for the ethical quality of one’s own practice, 2) utilize research to initiate evidence based practice in patient care, 3) ask research questions and conduct research under the guidance of a researcher, 4) promote the public health of communities, and 5) demonstrate ability to manage the health care team by delivering patient-focused care with a progression to more advanced levels of leadership. Leadership is evident in appropriate delegation, conflict resolution, and coordination of team assignments based on unit need, and develop skills of negotiation, open communication, and collegial collaboration with multidisciplinary care providers.

Mission and 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 other advance practice opportunities.

Before starting the undergraduate Bridge Curriculum, students must complete the basic four general studies requirements. This includes ethics, critical thinking, english composition, and speech. Other general studies and pre-requisites required to meet College graduation requirements can be taken while enrolled in the program. General studies courses that meet articulation standards can be transferred in for credit.  The undergraduate Bridge can be completed in one year as a full time student.

Upon completion of the ADN-to-MSN curriculum, graduates are awarded both a BSN and MSN. Students may apply for their BSN once the requirements, listed below, are met.  Graduates are also eligible to apply for certification as a Public Health Nurse.

Admission Requirements

Entry can be at any point on the trimester calendar; fall, spring, or summer.

• Completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing Program and is licensed to practice nursing in the state of California 
• 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
• 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)

Pre-requisite Courses

The Basic Three General Studies Courses (to be completed prior to starting Bridge) include:

• Critical Thinking
• English Composition
• Speech

All pre-requisite courses will be offered through Mount St. Mary’s College Weekend College at a discounted community college rate for students accepted into the program. This discount begins Summer 2008.

See our articulation agreements for local Los Angeles colleges that offer courses that meet our university standards. 

Course Listings

The ADN to MSN program is offered on a trimester 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, and health care policy issues, nursing research to guide practice, and community health/public health nursing. Students are introduced to master level courses while taking the bridge courses. Master level courses included with the bridge are NUR 201 Theoretical/Conceptual Foundations of Nursing and 144A/B Technology of Professional Presentations. Students are encouraged to continue in the MSN curriculum in the educator track. Other MSN tracks include: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Health, and Leadership. There is an additional 34-39 units of course work which can be completed in as few as 4 semesters or 16 months.

Progression

Students are considered undergraduates and adhere to undergraduate Academic Policies while they progress through the undergraduate Bridge program (3 trimesters).  During the Bridge, students must complete a minimum of 3 lower division General Studies courses.

Students may advance to graduate standing and adhere to graduate Academic Policies under the following conditions:

• Completed a minimum of 3 General Studies courses.  All lower division General Studies courses have been completed.  Any outstanding General Studies requirements are to be completed at the upper division level.
• 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.

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.
• Completed the General Studies program as outlined for a baccalaureate degree with a C- or better.
• Completion of NUR 290 Nursing Research and Methodologies with a C- or highter.
• Received credit for NUR 295 and NUR 297 Practica.

Scholarships

The A.D.N. to M.S.N. Program Scholarship is designed to assist licensed R.N.s in returning to college to complete a Master’s Degree in Nursing in one of four specialized areas: 1) nurse educator 2) clinical nurse specialist 3) community health or 4) leadership and administration. This program is designed to meet the growing need for master’s trained nurses in California.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. An Associate degree in Nursing or its equivalent in nursing from a regionally accredited and BRN approved institution.
2. A current and clear license issued by the BRN in the state of California.
3. GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester units of course work.