School of Nursing
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RN to MSN Bridge

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Tuition Information

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.

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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 four 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 Post-licensure Program Director.

The courses are:

  • NURS 340 Information Technology and Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • NURS 350 Evidence-based Practice in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NURS 410 Leadership in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NURS 432 Population and Global Health: Didactic and Practicum (4 credits)

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 Post-licensure Program Director, 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 and Health Policy (3 credits)
  • NURS 510 Informatics and Data Management (3 credits)
  • NURS 520 Nursing Research (3 credits)

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