Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge Program for RNs with Baccalaureate Degrees in Non-Nursing Disciplines
Program overview
Registered nurses with baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing disciplines are eligible to apply to the RN to MSN Bridge program. These RNs are admitted into the MSN Bridge program with deferred status. Once they fulfill the baccalaureate nursing competencies, which form the RN to MSN Bridge, their status changes to full acceptance in the MSN program.
Students in the MSN Bridge program demonstrate competency in specific baccalaureate nursing coursework through previous coursework, relevant experience, challenge examinations and/or completion of Montclair State University courses.
Upon acceptance to the program, the School of Nursing Graduate Program Director determines which of the designated baccalaureate nursing competencies must be completed prior to full acceptance into the MSN program. This review is documented in the RN to MSN Bridge Program Acceptance Agreement. Copies of the agreement are given to the student and placed in the student’s academic file.
Entrance requirements for RN to MSN Bridge program
- Completion of the online application
- Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
- Grade Point Average (GPA) > 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) from pre-licensure RN program
- Active RN licensure or eligibility for licensure if a new graduate. New graduate nurses must successfully complete the NCLEX-RN within six months of matriculation to continue in the program.
- Two (2) references from either faculty members or employers
Phase 1: RN to MSN Bridge program
Registered nurses with baccalaureate degrees in other disciplines are accepted into the RN to MSN Bridge program. These 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 School of Nursing Graduate Program Director. 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 MSN Program Director a student in the RN to MSN Bridge program, with > 3.0 cumulative GPA in the non-nursing baccalaureate degree program, may take up to two (2) 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)
Phase 2: MSN acceptance with full status
Upon completion of the requirements for the RN to MSN Bridge, students meet with the School of Nursing Graduate Program Director to review their RN to MSN Bridge Program Acceptance Agreement. The form is verified to document completion of the bridge. Student status in the MSN program is changed to full acceptance. The student confirms graduate MSN program concentration selection in nursing education, nursing administration or clinical research coordination.