School of Nursing
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RN to MSN Bridge

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Degree Overview

Licensed registered nurses (RNs) with baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing disciplines are eligible to apply to the RN to MSN Bridge Program. These RNs are admitted into the RN to MSN Bridge Program with deferred status.

These students demonstrate competency in specific baccalaureate nursing coursework through previous coursework, relevant experience, challenge examinations and/or completion of Montclair State University courses.

Once they fulfill the baccalaureate nursing competencies, which form the RN to MSN Bridge Program, their status changes to full acceptance in the MSN program.

Nursing students in class reading papers.

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of the online application.
  • All official transcripts.
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA from pre-licensure RN program.
  • A current resume is required with your application.
  • Licensure as an RN in good standing or eligibility for RN licensure if a new graduate. New graduate nurses must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN within 6 months of matriculation.
  • Two references from either faculty members or employers.
  • A one-page personal statement. The personal statement should explain your reason for applying to the program, learning goals, and relevant professional experience.

How it Works

Accepted students must demonstrate competency or complete up to five undergraduate upper division nursing courses (13 credits) prior to full matriculation in the MSN program. Competency is confirmed through successful completion of coursework or portfolio review by the Director of Graduate Nursing.

The courses are:

  • NURS 340 Informatics and Project Management (3 credits)
  • NURS 350 Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NURS 410 Leadership in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NURS 430 Population and Global Health (3 credits)
  • NURS 431 Population and Global Health Clinical (1 credit)

All MSN students are required to successfully complete an undergraduate statistics course within five years of the first graduate level nursing course. Statistics may be taken during the bridge or concurrently with the first graduate nursing course.

With permission of the Director of Graduate Nursing, a student in the RN to MSN Bridge Program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or higher) in their non-nursing baccalaureate degree program, may take up to two graduate level courses from the MSN core while completing bridge requirements. These MSN core requirement courses count towards the master’s degree.

Master’s courses in the graduate program which can be taken by eligible RN to MSN Bridge students include:

  • NURS 500 Issues Affecting Health Care (3 credits)
  • NURS 520 Nursing Research (3 credits)
  • NURS 510 Informatics and Data Management (3 credits)

A National Reputation for Excellence

Montclair State University is recognized across New Jersey and the nation as a top choice in higher education by publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Money.

Our academic and health care-related certifications include:

  • Accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (Athletic Training major, BS, Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education, College of Education and Human Services)
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Didactic Program in Dietetics, baccalaureate level, Dietetic Internship, Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences)
  • Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) – Counseling, MA
  • Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • CAA has accredited the MA concentration in Speech-Language Pathology and the doctoral program in Audiology (PhD) in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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