RN Options
Early Admission to MSN
The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing RN Options (Early Admission to MSN) curriculum is designed for registered nurses, who obtained their nursing education through from either an CCNE or NLN accredited diploma or associate degree program, to complete their nursing education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) while offering an opportunity to obtain an early admission to graduate nursing education. Courses are taught by nursing leaders who are experts in their field. Faculty serves 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. U.S. 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 5 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.
Application Guidelines
- Graduate from a CCNE or NLN accredited associate degree program or diploma school of nursing
- A competitive GPA from previous academic work
- Possess current PA RN license
- Complete RN Option online 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
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
Additional Information
- Course offerings are flexible, students may begin coursework in any term (fall/spring/summer)
- Deadlines for admission are August 1 (Fall Term), December 1 (Spring Term), and April 1 (Summer Term)
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Upon finishing 84 credits in the RN Options track, students must select between the Early Admission to the MSN or BSN curriculums
- Early Admission to the MSN track students must: 1) take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), 2) provide necessary documentation for specific major, and 3) complete 24 ‘bridge' credits at the graduate level to obtain their BSN plus the remaining graduate program credits for the chosen MSN program
- BSN track students must complete 28 upper division undergraduate BSN coursework credits.
- Full and part time schedules are available
RN Options Curriculum
(subject to change)
- CHEM 0910 Chemistry for the Health Professions & Lab *+ 4 cr.
- NUR 0012 & NUR 0002 Human Anatomy Physiology 1 & Lab *+ 4 cr.
- NUR 0013 & NUR 0003 Human Anatomy Physiology 2 & Lab *+ 4 cr.
- NUR 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: An Introduction to Critical Appraisal and Evidence Based Practice 3 cr.
- NUR 0081 Foundations of Nursing Practice 2 *+ 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 & Their Families * 5 cr.
- NUR 1154 Nursing Care of the Older Adult 2 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 3 cr.
- NUR 1074 Professional Development and Practicum 1 3 cr.
- NUR 1085 Ethics in Nursing and Health Care+ 3 cr.
- NUR 1120 Adv. 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 0087 Pharmacology & 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 science related 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 Life Span 4 cr.
- NUR 2680 Introduction to Genetics & Molecular Therapeutics 3 cr.
- NUR 2010* Health 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 Life Span 3 cr.
- NUR 2000 Research for Evidenced Based-Practice I 2 cr.
General Information
- Course Equivalents for Transfer (pdf)
- Fees & Tuition
- Visitor Parking Information
- Scholarship Information (RN Specific)
- Cameos of Caring Scholarship
- Nursing Alumni Society RN-BSN Student Award
-
Institutional Cohorts Tuition Discounts for students enrolling during Academic Year 2012-13.
For more information, please contact Suzanne Brody, BSN, RN, Associate Director for Recruitment, at brodys@pitt.edu or 412-624-4587 / 1-888-747-0794.
For those Students Interested in the "Early Admission to MSN"
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
4 Majors Available:
Apply Now!
Online Request for More Information
Student Services Contact Information:
-
Phone: 412-624-4586
Toll Free: 1-888-747-0794
Fax: 412-624-2409
Email: sao50@pitt.edu