Satellite program

The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N.-B.S.N.), formerly known as the B.S.N. Completion Program, is being expanded to four community and technical college campuses.

Students will graduate with a B.S.N. from Metropolitan State University; although, they will take most of their courses on the community college campus. Depending on the credits a student brings into the program, completion may take 2 to 3 years.

This Satellite R.N. to B.S.N. program has the same curriculum as the R.N. to B.S.N. on the Metropolitan State University campus (see below), although there are some differences in course sequencing. Both programs are designed for RNs with associate degrees, who would like to earn their B.S.N. The B.S.N. builds on science, liberal arts and nursing course work.

Prerequisites to upper division nursing courses are considered part of the Satellite program (STAT 201, WRIT 331, PHIL 321, and one course from the humanities and the fine arts, General Education goal Goal VI).  Students will progress through these courses, as well as the nursing courses, with the same cohort of students, one day a week, usually the same day of the week every semester (days/times will vary by campus). Metropolitan State will be unable to offer humanities courses or preparation for Statistics courses on community college campuses.

The first Satellite program began Summer Session, 2007 at Inver Hills Community College (IHCC). New cohorts will begin every summer at IHCC.

The first Century College Satellite program began spring, 2008, with Writ 331 offered on the community college campus. 

North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) Satellite program is scheduled to begin summer 2008, and the first Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) Satellite program is scheduled to begin fall 2008.

The priority deadlines are March 1, for admission to programs that begin Summer Session; June 1, for admission to programs that begin Fall Semester; and September 1, for admission to programs that begin Spring Semester. Applications will continue to be accepted after the deadlines; apply through Metropolitan State University.

Admission Requirements

The following requirements are necessary for admission to the R.N.-B.S.N. program in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

• Associate degree or diploma in registered nursing
• Current RN licensure
• Cumulative GPA of 2.50 (4.00 scale)

Students may apply to the program and register for pre-requisite courses before they have completed associate degrees in nursing or the NCLEX; but, they must finish both before they can register for upper division nursing courses. Prior to enrollment in the first nursing course, students must complete an Official Degree Plan with a College of Nursing and Health Sciences undergraduate advisor.

Students who are graduates of diploma programs and non-accredited associate degree programs are required to validate their lower-division nursing through completion of the National League for Nursing's Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test (NLN-CNAT). Information about this requirement may be obtained from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Upon successful completion of this requirement, students are awarded up to 30 semester credits in nursing.

Transfer Agreements

Metropolitan State University has articulation agreements with nursing programs from all Minnesota community colleges and the College of St. Catherine, enabling a seamless transfer of general education and nursing prerequisite credits from a two-year nursing program to Metropolitan State University's RN-B.S.N. program.

Program Requirements

• A minimum of 120 semester credits are required to graduate.
• A minimum of 40 semester credits must be at the upper-division level.
• 48 semester credits of general education/liberal studies goal areas are required, at least eight semester credits of which must be upper-division liberal studies.
• Pre-major courses: 
  Up to 16 of these semester credits must include the following courses, which must be completed prior to taking major classes (ie, upper division nursing courses): 
  - STAT 201 Statistics I or the equivalent 
  - WRIT 331 Writing in your Major 
  - PHIL 321 Medical Ethics 
  - A course from the humanities and the fine arts general education goal (Goal  VI)
• Upper Division Courses in the major:
  32 upper-division semester credits are obtained through the nursing major. See the "Requirements" that follow.

Program Courses

Many courses in the nursing curriculum employ online teaching/learning strategies.

Requirements (32 total credits)

• Theoretical Foundation of Nursing I (4 credits)
• Pathophysiology/Genetics (4 credits) 
• Informatics (2 credits)
• Health Assessment (3 credits)
• Nursing Research (3 credits)
• Family Health Nursing (3 credits)
• Geriatric Nursing (2 credits)
• Community Health Nursing and Practicum (5 credits)
• Leadership (4 credits)
• Synthesis (2 credits)

Requirements for Community Health Nursing Practicum Include but are not limited to:

• Evidence of malpractice insurance
• Evidence of current immunization
• Background check

Background Check

Under the 1995 amendments to the Vulnerable Adults Act, individuals who provide direct contact service to patients or residents of facilities licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health must undergo a background study. Persons who participate in a clinical placement as part of an educational program are among those affected by the law.

An individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of a negative background study is not permitted to participate in a clinical placement in a Minnesota-licensed health care facility. This could result in ineligibility to qualify for a degree.