MSN Pathways Program

For RNs with a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing
Who wish to pursue the MSN at Sonoma State University

PURPOSE

The purpose of the SSU Pathways program is to provide the Registered Nurse possessing a baccalaureate or higher degree in a discipline other than nursing the opportunity to establish academic credentials equivalent to a BSN specifically to qualify for admission to an MSN program at SSU.

.APPLICATION AND ADMISSION

To be qualified for admission to the MSN Pathways Program, applicants must hold current California RN licensure, possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a discipline other than nursing and have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 units of college coursework completed.

Applicants must submit a CSU Graduate Application, as well as an SSU Nursing Supplemental Application.  Applications are accepted between November 1st and March 31st for admission the following fall.  The CSU Graduate Application can be submitted on-line at www.csumentor.edu and the Nursing Supplemental Application can be downloaded from Nursing’s website .  

Applicants must first be admitted to the university in post-baccalaureate standing.  Upon nursing faculty review of qualifications and goals, applicants may be conditionally admitted to the Graduate Nursing Program and, in consultation with their Program Director, plan an initial course of study that 1) meets the requirements for BSN equivalency and eligibility for California Public Health Certification and 2) incorporates graduate nursing courses as appropriate.    

REQUIRED CURRICULUM

Depending on the student’s academic and career goals, there are minor variations in the MSN Pathways requirements as indicated in the following chart.  These requirements cannot simply be “waived” as met but must be demonstrated by academic (transcript) record.  Upon review and evaluation of the individual applicant’s academic and experiential background and educational goals, the student’s academic advisor may recommend a variety of strategies to meet the specified requirements.  These strategies may include course substitution or course challenge (credit-by-examination and/or portfolio documentation and evidence of prior learning). 

These requirements usually can be met in one calendar year (two semesters and a summer) or less.

 

Required SSU Curriculum for BSN Equivalency and
Eligibility for California Public Health Nursing Certification

 

For the Pathways student who has only nursing research (Nurs 300), community health nursing theory (Nurs 404) and community health nursing practicum (Nurs 405) to complete for BSN equivalency, the Nursing Departmental may offer “conditional admission” to the Graduate Nursing Program.  This status permits the student to enroll in Nurs 404 and Nurs 405 simultaneously with Nurs 500A and Nurs 500B in the first year (six units each semester) and effectively complete the requirements for BSN equivalency while also completing required graduate nursing core courses in research (Nurs 500AB).  The student must successfully complete all four courses to be fully matriculated into the MSN program and eligible for PHN certification.   

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

All BSN programs in California must meet the California State Board of Registered Nursing curriculum requirements for Public Health Nurse Certification.  Completion of the MSN Pathways Program at SSU, by virtue of creating BSN equivalency, necessarily qualifies the student for CA PHN Certification (received upon application and payment to the CA State Board of Registered Nursing).  There is no mechanism at SSU whereby a student can be qualified to obtain CA PHN certification without completing the BSN equivalency.  For institutions that offer PHN Certification only please refer to the Board of Registered Nursing web site at http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/schools/phnpgrms.pdf.

MSN Pathways Courses Offered by Sonoma State University

 

Nurs 300.            Introduction to Nursing Research (3)  Spring
Seminar, 3 hours.  Discusses the nature of scholarly inquiry, basic research concepts, language and processes.  Approaches to research in nursing are explored.  Qualitative and quantitative research methods are compared.  Students critically appraise and interpret studies in order to enhance their understanding of the research process.

 

Nurs 305.            Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (3)  Fall
Or
Nurs 509            Advanced Assessment & Clinical Decision Making (3)  Summer
Lecture/discussion, 3 hours; lab, 3 hours.  Concepts and skills of human health assessment basic to clinical decision making within the caring process are expanded.  Interview skills focus on eliciting an accurate and thorough history, taking into account multiple dimensions that characterize the person.  Examination skills are further developed to provide a data base for nursing diagnosis and planning nursing care.  Lab fee. 

 

Nurs 404.            Community Health Nursing Theory (3)  Fall
Lecture/discussion, 3 hours.  Explores population-focused nursing in the context of promotion, protection, and improvement of health for individuals, families and communities.  Determinants of health and operations of the health care system will be discussed with an emphasis on social, cultural, and environmental factors which impact the health of the greater community.

 

Nurs 405.            Community Health Nursing Practicum (3)  Spring
            (N404 must be taken concurrently or prior to N405)
Clinical practice, 9 hours.  Students apply knowledge and skills from nursing and public health science to provide clinical care for clients, individuals and families in their communities.  Cultural diversity and vulnerable populations are emphasized while exploring the community as client.

 

Psych 302            Development of the Person (3)   Fall, Spring

A multidisciplinary examination of the social, cultural, emotional, and psychphysiological development of the human being. Shows how research and theories relate to and assist individuals in their own self-development.

Offered on the SSU campus or may be challenged for credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). 

 

NLN Anatomy & Physiology Challenge Exam (MSN-FNP ONLY)
(order through Ana in Nursing Department Office, 664-2466)