Master of Science in Nursing for RNs (RN-MSN)

Registered nurses, with an Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing, may apply for admission to the MSN program directly.  This program is designed for those interested nurses to move into a Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator role.  A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is not awarded with this MSN.

Admission
Registered nurses are required to complete 51 semester hours of general education, as described in the Undergraduate Catalog for Carson-Newman College (see below), for acceptance into the RN-MSN program.  Additionally, they must meet the admission requirements as defined in the Graduate Catalog for Carson-Newman College.

General Education Requirements (see catalog for more specific details)

GOAL I: COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY – 15 hours
Complete ENG 101 – 201 and 9 hours from 2 other areas

  1. a.English 101, English 201
  2. b.Computer Literacy
  3. c.Foreign Language
  4. d.Oral Communications

GOAL II:REASON LOGICALLY – 3 hours

  1. a.Logical Reasoning – Mathematics or Philosophy

GOAL III:DEEPEN AWARENESS OF CHRISTIAN TRADITION – 6 hours

  1. a.Religion 101, Religion 102

GOAL IV:PERSONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – 9 hours
Complete 9 hours so that at least 3 of the 4 areas are represented

  1. a.Child and Family Studies
  2. b.Political Science
  3. c.Psychology
  4. d.Sociology

GOAL V:KNOWLEDGE AND WORL PERSPECTIVE – 18 hours
Complete each area listed below

  1. a.English 301
  2. b.Fine Arts
  3. c.History
  4. d.Science
  5. e.Elective

Transition Courses
Once accepted into Carson-Newman College, the RN completes one semester of non-degree seeking studies (13 hours).  Following completion of this semester, the RN student is accepted as a graduate student into the RN-MSN program and completes a second semester of transition course work (5 hours).  Upon completion of this semester, the RN student enters the MSN pathway for the program of study in their interest area (Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator).

Semester 1 (prerequisites)

NURS 301 – Conceptual Approaches – 2 hours
NURS 404 – Community Nursing
NURS 412 – Dimensions of Professional Nursing – 3 hours
NURS 420 – Leadership for RNs – 3 hours

Semester 2 (first semester of graduate studies)

NURS 500 – Transition to Advanced Practice – 5 hours (3 class; 2 clinical)