Normal Sequence for Non-traditional Students

Accelerated Registered Nurse Option: Expressway RN to BSN§

The Accelerated Expressway RN to BSN Program is designed for highly motivated registered nurses who want to earn their degree in a timely manner. Credits are earned through transfer, advanced placement, and matriculation. Advanced placement credits (32 credits) for course work completed in a state-approved, nationally accredited associate's degree or diploma nursing program are awarded following successful completion of designated courses in the RN curriculum. After a transcript evaluation has been completed, the RN student completes the necessary individually determined core and cognate credits along with 22 credits of course work in the professional nursing major. This course work includes one clinical practice course in community health, which uses a flexible adult learning model for scheduling. As adult learners, RN students also have the opportunity to earn credit by CLEP subject exams and Prior Learning Assessment. Under ordinary circumstances, graduates of associate degree programs are not required to complete more than 66 total credits in core, cognate, and major requirements at Misericordia University. RN students who hold a bachelor's degree in another field are exempt from core requirements.

In addition to meeting the admission requirements for RN students, articulation status and the awarding of advanced placement credits is determined by the following:

1. Graduates from NLN accredited associate's degree or diploma nursing programs within three years of the application date are eligible for direct articulation and will be awarded 32 advanced-placement credits for their prior nursing course work.
2. Graduates from NLN accredited associate's degree or diploma nursing programs within four to ten years of the application date must provide official written documentation of completion of a minimum of 1,000 hours or more clinical practice during the three years prior to the application date to be eligible for direct articulation and the awarding of 32 advanced-placement credits for their prior nursing course work.
3. Applicants who have graduated more than ten years prior to the application date must provide a resume detailing clinical experience, along with official written documentation of completion of a minimum of 1,000 hours or more clinical practice during the three years prior to the application date. These candidates may be required to complete a full portfolio or validation testing prior to being eligible for articulation and the awarding of 32 advanced-placement credits prior to nursing course work.
4. Applicants who have not graduated from an NLN accredited nursing program must successfully complete validation testing before prior learning credits are awarded.

For more information, prospective students should contact the Expressway Office at (570) 674-6791.

Core Requirements (see core curriculum requirements)

Elective Credits (nine credits)

Minimum Required Credits 126

(The above are general guidelines. Each student's transcripts are thoroughly evaluated by the registrar and an individual program plan is established. All RN to BSN students must have obtained a Registered Nurse license, which mandated that they have graduated from an accredited program. These students fall under the University Transfer Program guidelines, causing a variation in their individualized program plan.)

Second Degree and Adult Learner Option

The second degree option is designed for individuals who have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The adult learner option is designed for those individuals who have completed extensive college-level coursework and/or a non-nursing associate’s degree. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to transfer into the nursing program.

Second Degree Day Options

Individuals entering the second degree option do not need to meet the core curriculum requirements of the university. The total number of credits required for graduation (126 credits) includes transferred core, nursing prerequisite courses (21 credits) and credits required in the nursing major (51 credits). In addition, six graduate credits can be earned while completing the BSN degree. The majority of the prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the nursing courses in the full-time program and all the prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the part-time evening option. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to transfer into the nursing program.

Adult Learner Option - PTAEP

Those completing the adult learner option may have to complete all university core courses. The total number of credits required for graduation (126 credits) includes core, prerequisites (21 credits) and credits required in the nursing major (51 credits). The majority of the prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the nursing courses in the full-time program and all the prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the part-time evening option. Students with a related field associate degree will be required to complete, either by direct transfer and/or completion of coursework at Misericordia University, at least one course in all core curriculum areas prior to graduation.

All courses completed through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or the National League for Nursing challenge examinations (NLN) must be completed, and the documentation of successful completion must be received by the Nursing department, prior to admission to PTAEP. Once a student is admitted into PTAEP, there will be no option to CLEP addtional courses. All Core and elective course requirements should be completed prior to admission to PTAEP. If a student is not able to complete these courses prior to admission to the program, s/he will be allowed to complete a maximum of two Core/electives (six credit maximum) while enrolled; however, these credits must be completed prior to or during the student's last semester in the Nursing program. Students who receive a C- or below in two or more cognates will not be considered for admission into the nursing program.

Both the second degree and the adult learner options are available in the full-time day and the part-time accelerated evening (PTAENP) formats.

Prerequisite Courses (21 - 24 credits) – Second degree and adult learner students take the following prior to starting the nursing courses:

* NSG 201 coreq in second degree program with permission of chair
† MTH 115 may be taken as a co-requisite in the full-time option only.
* May be taken either fall or spring.