NO BSN REQUIRED!
At Loyola University New Orleans, we strive to provide convenient options for RNs looking to further their career in nursing. That’s why we have two RN to MSN options, depending on your educational background: a traditional RN to MSN or a RN to MSN Bridge option. The RN to MSN option is available to students who hold associate’s degrees in nursing. The MSN Bridge option is available to students who hold associate’s degrees in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.
TRADITIONAL RN TO MSN OPTION
For active RNs with an associate’s degree but who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in any subject, the traditional RN to MSN option may be the right fit. This option designed to provide the undergraduate nursing education you need to be successful in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. You can apply to any of the online MSN concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Leadership, or Nurse Educator.
Loyola’s RN-MSN curriculum is composed of undergraduate general education, undergraduate nursing, and graduate nursing coursework that leads to the conferral of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN degree is a total of 120 hours (114 undergraduate and 6 graduate credits), but you may transfer up to 64 credit hours from a 2-year institution and up to 90 total credit hours. You then move directly into the remainder of graduate-level coursework in your intended MSN specialization (Family Nurse Practitioner – 42 credit hours; Nursing Leadership – 30 credit hours; Nurse Educator – 33 credit hours).
RN TO MSN BRIDGE OPTION
The RN to MSN Bridge at Loyola University New Orleans is a two-course entry option designed specifically for active RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees who would like to enroll in the online MSN program. It is one of the shortest online bridge to MSN options available.
The Bridge option is developed for nurses who have already earned an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, but wish to pursue their graduate degree in nursing. The programs are designed to “bridge” your professional nursing experience and training with the foundational knowledge you need to be successful in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. You can apply to any of the online MSN concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Leadership, or Nurse Educator.
The option is composed of the undergraduate nursing courses that are prerequisites to beginning the graduate-level coursework in Loyola’s MSN. This 6-credit bridge option is divided into two 3-credit hour courses. One course runs for 7 weeks of a 16-week semester, and the other course runs for the full 16-week semester. These two bridge courses cover important themes including:
- Population Health
- Health Promotion
- Current Issues
- Professional Communication
The MSN Bridge is currently one of the shortest online bridge to MSN options available.
BEGINNING YOUR ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (MSN)
Students who successfully complete their undergraduate-level coursework and meet the admissions requirements for their specialization may continue into the online MSN program. The online MSN provides the flexibility to address challenges and professional opportunities as a nursing or health care leader, family nurse practitioner, or nurse educator.
The online format allows students the flexibility to pursue their educational goals while accommodating other responsibilities.
View MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Courses
View MSN – Nursing Leadership Courses
View MSN – Nurse Educator Courses