Midwestern State University RN to BSN Program

Program Details

Wilson School of Nursing

The RN Transition program at Midwestern State University (MSU) is designed for registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree or nursing diploma seeking to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

The program can be completed in as little as three semesters, with courses available in fall, spring, and summer semesters. Classes are delivered entirely online, providing flexibility for students who wish to maintain full-time employment.

Accreditation

The RN Transition program is accredited by the CCNE, ensuring high-quality education and adherence to professional standards.

Admission Requirements

Admission requires a valid RN license, completion of core and prerequisite courses, and meeting Texas Core Curriculum requirements. Applicants must also provide proof of professional liability insurance, health examinations, immunizations, and current CPR certification.

Curriculum

The program includes 27 credit hours of nursing coursework, with an additional three hours of advanced elective courses, for a total of 30 credit hours. Key courses include:

NURS 3713 – Transitions to the BSN Role
Explores the role of baccalaureate-prepared nurses with a focus on clinical judgment, communication, health information technology, health promotion, patient education, and professionalism. Standards defining professionalism in nursing are emphasized.

NURS 3721 – Leadership Roles Clinical
Provides the clinical component of NURS 3723, focusing on applying leadership and management concepts in real-world settings.

NURS 3723 – Leadership Roles
Covers leadership and management theories, including communication, conflict resolution, budgeting, human resources, quality improvement, risk management, and ethical decision-making. Clinical experiences include managing issues and observing leaders in various settings.

NURS 3733 – Foundations of Comprehensive Pathophysiology in Nursing
Examines fundamental pathological processes underlying diseases commonly seen in clinical practice. Identifies modifiable factors for nursing interventions while explaining disease processes and their clinical implications.

NURS 3743 – Introduction to Evidence-based Practice
Introduces qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research to evaluate evidence-based practice. Focuses on research utilization to enhance patient-centered care, quality improvement, safety, and leadership outcomes. Develops critical appraisal skills for nursing research.

NURS 4703 – Ethics in Healthcare
Builds on ethical and legal foundations of nursing practice. Applies ethical principles, legal considerations, and the ANA Code for Nurses to analyze complex healthcare situations.

NURS 4711 – Comprehensive Health Assessment Clinical
Provides the clinical application of NURS 4713, focusing on comprehensive health assessments and health promotion strategies.

NURS 4713 – Comprehensive Health Assessment
Covers comprehensive health assessment techniques, emphasizing health promotion across the lifespan for individuals, families, and communities. Uses a concept-based approach to integrate assessment into nursing practice.

NURS 4723 – Healthcare Organizations and Informatics
Explores U.S. healthcare delivery systems, including perspectives from providers, institutions, and insurers. Examines the role of informatics in care coordination, interdisciplinary teamwork, and continuity of care.

NURS 4733 – Population Focused Community Health
Introduces nursing roles in community health, including public policy, primary care, disease prevention, health promotion, and education. Emphasizes care for populations, families, and communities within the healthcare system.

NURS 4741 – Capstone Project
Offers a practicum for integrating clinical knowledge with leadership and evidence-based concepts. Students design and implement a population-focused project to address public health issues and improve outcomes in collaboration with faculty.

NURS 4743 – Care Coordination Across the Continuum of Care
Focuses on principles of care coordination, emphasizing communication, assessment, and evidence-based tools to ensure seamless patient care across various healthcare settings.

Graduates are trained in clinical reasoning, patient care technology, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

More information about the curriculum here:
https://catalog.msutexas.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=33&poid=4452

Tuition

For Texas residents, the total cost of admission is $29,274.

Texas Resident:

  • Tuition & Fees: $4,888
  • Housing & Dining: $4,870
  • Total per Semester: $9,758

Total COA = 3 × $9,758 = $29,274

Additional tuition details can be found here:

Online Flexibility and Start Dates

The fully online format allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional responsibilities. Courses are available in 8- or 16-week formats during fall and spring and 5- or 10-week formats in summer. The program offers three start dates annually: November 1 for spring, July 1 for fall, and May 1 for summer.

Additional Programs and Graduate Opportunities

Beyond the RN Transition program, MSU’s Wilson School of Nursing offers other undergraduate programs, including prelicensure BSN and accelerated BSN options.

For those interested in further advancement, the school provides graduate-level programs, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) tracks. RN-BSN students can apply to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program during or after completing their BSN.

Program Outcomes and Mission

Graduates of the RN Transition program are prepared to deliver evidence-based care, lead quality improvement initiatives, manage care transitions, and adhere to ethical and legal nursing practices.

The Wilson School of Nursing emphasizes student-centered education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing professionals to meet the needs of diverse populations.

This streamlined program offers RNs a pathway to enhance their skills, remain competitive in the evolving healthcare field, and advance their careers through higher education opportunities.