RN to MSN Articulation Track

RN to MSN Articulation Track

Degree: Master of Science

Major: Nursing

Concentration: RN to MSN Track

Total Hours: 150-153

The RN to MSN Articulation Track is for Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree (AASN or ADN) or diploma nurses seeking a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in both administration and education concentrations. Licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) in the articulation tracks and graduate program meet course requirements through didactic courses, laboratory activities, practicum, and projects. The RN to MSN track awards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree upon completion of the undergraduate portion of the track. 

MSN Program Goals and Outcomes

  1. Goal: Program demonstrates evidence of students’ achievement in completing the nursing program.
    Outcome: 40% of students will graduate within 100% the length of the program
  2.  Goal: The program demonstrates evidence of graduates’ achievement in job placement
    Outcome: 80% of those seeking employment will be involved in role-related professional practice at 6-12 months post-graduation.
  3. Goal: The program demonstrates evidence of students' achievement of each End of Program Student Learning Outcome/role-specific professional competency.
    Outcomes:
    Student Learning Outcome (SLO) Indirect Method: 90% of MSN graduates are expected to respond, “agree or “strongly agree” (4.0 or higher) to each end of program SLO.
    Student Learning Outcome Direct Method: All MSN graduates are expected to achieve end of program SLOs by a combined score of 75% or higher on the culminating Synthesis Project using a standardized rubric.
  4. Goal: The program demonstrates evidence of students’ achievement of role-specific professional competencies
    Outcomes:
    Professional Competency Indirect Method: 90% of MSN graduates are expected to respond “agree” or “strongly agree” (4.0 or higher) to each end-of-program role-specific professional competency by graduation.
    Professional Competency Direct Method: Practicum courses

MSN End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Nurse Educator or Nurse Administrator Tracks of the MSN program will demonstrate the following program outcomes:

  1. Analyze issues in the context of healthcare policy and finance, including economic, legal, and political factors, to address the healthcare needs of a diverse society.
  2. Analyze strategies to improve healthcare outcomes equitably across the health continuum for diverse populations in a global setting.
  3. Utilize research methods, evidence-based practice, and informatics to investigate problems, evaluate outcome data, promote changes, promote safety and health outcomes, and improve nursing practice.
  4. Translate current and emerging evidence from nursing theoretical frameworks and other sciences to guide decision-making that demonstrates best practices.
  5. Demonstrate advanced nursing practice roles from professional, organizational, and personal perspectives within an ethical and legal framework.
  6. Communicate effectively using multiple modalities with diverse individuals, groups, and populations in a global health care environment.
  7. Contribute to system-level planning, decision-making, and evaluation for disasters and public health emergencies.

Admission

RN to MSN applications are processed through ApplyTexas.  Follow the instructions carefully so that the correct major is chosen (RN-MSN: Registered Nurse to MSN-ONLINE DEGREE). If the wrong major is selected, there can be a delay in the admission decision.

Admission to Lamar University is required as well as admission to the RN-MSN Articulation Track in the Dishman School of Nursing. Official transcripts from other colleges or universities must be evaluated by Lamar University.

To be considered for admission to the RN-MSN Track, the student must:

  1. Have an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree (AASN or ADN) or diploma in nursing from an approved program.
  2. Apply and be admitted to Lamar University.
  3. Current unencumbered RN license to practice professional nursing in the United States or an approved U.S. Territory.
  4. Must have a "C" or better in ENGL 1301 Composition I, ENGL 1302 Composition II, MATH 1314 College Algebra(Non-Calculus) or MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics I, MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods/PSYC 2317 Introduction to Statistical Methods, BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II, BIOL 2421 Microbiology for Science Majors , PSYC 2315 Lifespan Development, and NUTR 1322 Basic Nutrition to be accepted into the program.
  5. Overall grade point average of 3.0 or above. If grade point average is between 2.85 and 2.99, see requirements for conditional admission allowing them to enroll in 9 hours of nursing courses and must earn a grade of "B" or better to progress in the RN-MSN Track.

If the grade point average is between 2.85 and 2.99, students may be admitted on a conditional basis, provided:

  1. Students will be allowed to enroll in the first nine (9) credit hours of nursing courses.
  2. Students must pass each course with a “B” or better to progress in the RN-MSN. Track. See the Lamar University Graduate Catalog for more information regarding GPA status and academic probation.
  3. If the student is unsuccessful in achieving a “B” or better, he/she will be removed from the Dishman School of Nursing RN-MSN Track.

The Admission Process is as follows:

  1. The student should follow the instructions for ApplyTexas, selecting Online Campus, then the correct degree code (Registered Nurse to MSN - ONLINE DEGREE), and the semester in which the student wants to enroll.
  2. Send official transcripts to the,
    Lamar University Admissions Office
    P.O. Box 10009
    Beaumont, Texas, 77710.
  3. The Lamar University Admissions Office will then determine the student's admission status and what courses will transfer. Admissions will send an email with the decision regarding the student's acceptance to Lamar University.
  4. The Dishman School of Nursing will be notified after admission is complete.
  5. The Dishman School of Nursing will review the students’ files and transcripts to determine if the student meets the admission requirements for the RN-MSN Track.
  6. Accepted students will receive a packet by email from the Dishman School of Nursing providing them with details regarding their degree and the requirements necessary to progress in the track. Students will need to review the packet and their degree plan through their degree audit on Self-Service Banner.
  7. After students have reviewed the acceptance packet, they must email their advisor confirming their acceptance and schedule an advising appointment. 

Curriculum Plan for RN to MSN Track

Students are required to begin with MSNC 5310 Theoretical Foundations as their first nursing course in this track and may be taken with or before NURS 4316 Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment. NURS 4316 Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment has 3 pre-requisites: BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II and Microbiology (BIOL 2420 Microbiology or BIOL 2421 Microbiology for Science Majors). The remaining BSN-level courses (NURS 4540 Nursing Practice: Care of Communities, NURS 4550 Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System, and NURS 4620 Nursing Practice: Compromised Multiple Health States) and MSNC 5311 Nursing Research must be completed before enrolling in MSNC 5319 Advanced Nursing Issues and Health Policy. Statistics (PSYC 2317 Introduction to Statistical Methods or MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods) must be taken before MSNC 5311 Nursing Research. Students are required to earn a passing grade in each nursing course while following the sequence identified for the program of study.

The final, capstone course for the B.S.N. portion of the track is MSNC 5319 Advanced Nursing Issues and Health Policy, and upon successful completion of the course, students apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (provided all other course requirements are complete) before continuing to the remaining graduate-level nursing courses in the track.

Students are required to consult with an RN-MSN Articulation Track Advisor before each semester to discuss the best options for their academic progress.  Students may enroll on a full time or part-time basis.

Progression in the RN to MSN Track

The grading scale for nursing courses in the RN-MSN Track is as follows:

  • A= 100-90  Excellent
  • B = 89-80  Good
  • C = 79-75  Satisfactory
  • D = 74-60  Failure
  • F = 59-0  Failure

To remain in the RN-MSN Track, students must earn a grade of “B” or above in the following courses:

Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in each of the following courses:

  • NURS 4316 Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment 
  • NURS 4540 Nursing Practice: Care of Communities 
  • NURS 4550 Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System 
  • NURS 4620 Nursing Practice: Compromised Multiple Health States

Students in the RN-MSN track must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. RN-MSN Track students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.99 will no longer qualify for the RN-MSN Track buy may continue in the RN-BSN Track if they meet the RN-BSN progression policy requirements.

In order to progress in the RN-MSN Track students are required to:

  •     Maintain a current unencumbered nursing license
  •     Complete a criminal background screening
  •     Maintain Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
  •     Submit to a physical exam completed by their physician
  •     Provide documentation of current immunizations
  •     Obtain nursing liability insurance

These requirements are the responsibility of the student and are not included in Lamar University’s tuition and fees. 

Escrow Courses for RN to MSN Students

RN-MSN students will be awarded 31 hours of undergraduate nursing credits via escrow, which will be added to the student's transcript once all nursing coursework from the BSN portion of the curriculum has been completed.

Transfer Credits

An official transcript evaluation by Lamar University is required for all transfer credits. Transfer credits that are not equivalent to Lamar University credits must be evaluated on an individual basis by the appropriate department. Credit earned at other regionally accredited institutions will be considered for transfer to Lamar University based on the policies outlined in the Transfer Credit Evaluation section of the Lamar University Undergraduate Admissions Process and Requirement section of this catalog for more information. Transfer of graduate-level credits is addressed under the Academic Policies of the College of Graduate Studies of the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. Technical credits will not be accepted by the Dishman School of Nursing.  Please speak with an advisor regarding questions about technical credit courses.