University of Pittsburgh | Pitt Home | Pitt Home | Find People | Contact Us Pitt Home |

RN Options

Early Admission to MSN

The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing RN Options curriculum is designed for registered nurses, who obtained their nursing education through either a diploma or an associate degree program, to complete their nursing education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and offers an opportunity to obtain an early admission to graduate nursing education. RN Options is a rigorous academic track.  Courses are taught by nursing leaders who are experts in their field. Faculty serve as educators, role models and mentors for their students.

The University of Pittsburgh RN Options track is for professional nurses who are enthusiastically committed to their role as patient care advocates ensuring best possible healthcare outcomes. The RN Options curriculum builds upon the professional nurse’s strengths and experiences to expand professional knowledge and practice skills which will provide potential career changing opportunities.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing recognizes its obligation to prepare professional nurses to be competent healthcare professionals. Graduates of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing possess critical appraisal/thinking skills, sophisticated clinical practice knowledge, and the ability to integrate the latest research findings to provide thorough, safe and effective patient care.

RN Options provides professional nurses an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills at a school of nursing with an international reputation for excellence.  US News and World Report recognizes the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing among the top 10 graduate schools of nursing in the United States. The School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top 7 schools of nursing for research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Many healthcare organizations are recognizing the advantage of having more bachelors and masters prepared professional nurses. Research clearly indicates patients cared for by professional nurses with advanced degrees have a higher incidence of positive healthcare outcomes.

Admission Guidelines

  • Graduate of an associate degree program or diploma school of nursing
  • Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3 or above in previous academic work
  • Possess current PA RN license
  • Complete RN Option application
  • Brief, typed essay stating: 1) Personal philosophy of nursing, 2) Personal expectations from the RN-Options (BSN/MSN), and 3) future career goals
  • Current resume
  • Three letters of professional recommendation
  • Formal Interview

Additional Information

  • Course offerings are flexible, students may begin coursework in any term (fall/spring/summer)
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling bases
  • Upon finishing 84 credits in the RN Options track, students must select between the Early Admission to the MSN or BSN curricula
  • Early Admission to the MSN track students must: 1) take the GRE, 2) provide necessary documentation for specific major, and 3) complete the remaining 36 credits of which 24 will be at the graduate level
  • BSN track students must complete 40 upper division undergraduate credits
  • Full and part time schedules are available

RN Options Curriculum
(subject to change)

  • CHEM 0910 Chemistry & Lab *+ 4 cr.
  • NUR 0012 & NUR 0002 Human Anatomy Physiology I & Lab *+ 4 cr.
  • NUR 0013 & NUR 0003 Human Anatomy Physiology II & Lab *+ 4 cr.
  • ORBIOL 0031 & 0032 Microbiology & Lab *+  4 cr.
  • NUR 0066  Nutrition for Clinical Practice *+  3 cr.
  • PSYED 0005 Life Span Development *+ 3 cr.
  • PSY Psychology *+ 3 cr.
  • ANTH Anthropology *+  3 cr.
  • COMMRC Communication/Public Speaking + 3 cr.
  • ENGCOMP English Composition *+ 3 cr.
  • STAT or NUR 0088 Introduction to Basic Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice *+ 3 cr.
  • SOC Sociology *+  3 cr.
  • NUR 0067 Nursing Research:  Introduction to Critical Appraisal and Evidence Based Practice 3 cr.
  • NUR 0081 Foundations of Nursing Practice II *+ 2 cr.
  • NUR 0082 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute/Chronic Illness *+ 7 cr.
  • NUR 1050 Nursing Care of Mothers, Newborns, and Families * 5 cr.
  • NUR 1052 Nursing Care of Children & Families * 5 cr.
  • NUR 1054 Nursing Care of the Older Adult * 3 cr.
  • NUR 0086 Nursing Informatics 2 cr.
  • NUR 1060 Nursing Care of Clients with Psych Mental health Problems *  5 cr.
  • NUR 1079 Professional Development and Practicum 2 2 cr.
  • NUR 1074 Professional Development and Practicum 1 3 cr.
  • NUR 1085 Ethics in Nursing and Health Care*+  3 cr.
  • NUR 1120 Nursing Mgmt of Adults with Acute/Complex Health Problems * 5 cr.
  • NUR 1121 Advance Clinical Problem Solving 5 cr.
  • NUR 1127 Community Health Nursing Theory 3 cr.
  • NUR 1680 Introduction to Genetics and Molecular Therapeutics 3 cr.

* Can be challenged by exam
+ Credits can be transferred from other University/College institutions for credit if approved by University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing

Note:  All previous coursework corresponding to this curriculum must have been completed within 10 years of admission to the University of Pittsburgh

BSN curriculum will be scheduled individually by academic advisor

Early Admission to the MSN-graduate level courses

  • NUR 2004 Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan 4 cr.
  • PHARM 2002 Advanced Pharmacology 3 cr.
  • NUR 2010 Promotion and Disease Prevention in Culturally Diverse Populations 3 cr.
  • NUR 2011 Applied Statistics for Evidenced Based Practice 3 cr.
  • NURSP 2092 Leadership Development 3 cr.
  • NURSP 2090 Health Care Outcomes or NURSP 2061 Organization and Management Theory 3 cr.
  • NUR 2031 Diagnostic Physical Exam Across the Lifespan 3 cr.
  • NUR 2000 Research for Evidenced Based Practice I 2 cr.

Application Information

General Information

For those Students Interested in the "Early Admission to MSN"

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

4 Majors Available: