About this program
Program accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Metropolitan State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
This program is for registered nurses with an associate degree or a diploma in nursing who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The sequence of nursing courses is part-time, five semesters (including summers) and follows a cohort model. One clinical course (NURS 456P, Community Health Practicum), usually in the fourth semester, may meet more than once per week and may be held on a day other than the normally assigned cohort day.
The RN to BSN program admits registered nurses only and students are expected to maintain an active, unencumbered license to practice professional nursing in the state of Minnesota throughout the program.
There are two cohort progression models: Online and Hybrid.
RN to BSN Online Cohorts
In online cohorts, all of the nursing courses are completely online, with the exception of the NURS 456P, Community Health Nursing Practicum, which includes some clinical experiences in the community along with the online content. That class occurs in the fourth semester of the cohort progression. Classes run for five consecutive semesters, including summers.
- 32 credits of nursing coursework
- Up to 24 non-nursing credits, if needed, to meet other graduation requirements such as general education
- Part-time progression (typically two courses per semester)
- Online cohorts begin in fall and spring semesters
- Prerequisites no longer required (Stat 201 is still a course prerequisite to NURS 335, which is held in the second semester of the progression)
RN to BSN Hybrid Cohorts
In hybrid cohorts, nursing classes combine online with face-to-face delivery. Classes with face to face content typically meet twice per month. Some classes are completely online. NURS 456P, Community Health Nursing Practicum, includes some clinical experiences in the community along with the online content. That class occurs in the fourth semester of the cohort progression. Classes run for five consecutive semesters, including summers.
- 32 credits of nursing coursework
- Up to 24 non-nursing credits, if needed, to meet other graduation requirements such as general education
- Part-time progression (typically two courses per semester)
- Hybrid cohorts begin once per year in fall semesters
- Prerequisites no longer required (Stat 201 is still a course prerequisite to NURS 335, which is held in the second semester of the progression)
Program Highlights
- Program designed to provide flexibility for working adult students
- The BSN program is endorsed by the American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation. Graduates waive the post-graduate practice and continuing education hours necessary to be eligible to take the holistic nursing certification exam.
- Graduates qualify for Public Health Nursing Registration in the State of Minnesota.
Student outcomes
- Utilize theories from the arts, sciences and nursing as a basis for professional nursing practice.
- Utilize critical reasoning in health care decision making with individuals, families, populations, and systems.
- Practice holistic nursing care directed toward healing in the human health experience for diverse and vulnerable populations.
- Utilize principles of basic organizational and systems leadership to promote safety and quality in health care.
- Demonstrate collaborative strategies and inter- and intra-professional communication skills to optimize health outcomes.
- Practice professional nursing that is grounded in current evidence from multiple professional sources.
- Engage in holistic self-care practices.
- Articulate a plan for continuing professional development.