Top RN to MSN Online Programs

General Education

Most bridge programs include foundational coursework similar to what is typically found in a BSN or other bachelor’s degree program. Part of that coursework is non-nursing general education courses in liberal arts subjects like English, math, and the natural and social sciences. Here are a few examples:

• English Composition:
  Introduction to college-level writing (grammar, structure, proper style, etc.) and basic research skills.
• Introduction to Sociology:
  Coverage of foundational topics such as social behavioral norms and their deviations, and social structures such as families, workplaces, schools, and political institutions.
• U.S. Government:
  Survey of the U.S. Constitution, the structure and function of government branches, policy making, and citizen participation in the political process.

Health Sciences

Coursework in the health sciences covers a broad range of topics, such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, public health, pharmacology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and many others. Most RN to MSN curriculums include a number of health science courses in areas that directly complement nursing practice.

• Human Anatomy and Physiology:
  Introduction to the fundamental structures and functions of the human body, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems.
• Microbiology:
  Overview of microbiology concepts, methods, and applications from the clinical perspective, including a discussion of microorganisms and the roles they play in the causes and treatments of diseases.
• Pharmacology:
  Discussion of the therapeutic and adverse affects of drugs (anesthetics, muscle relaxants, pain medications, psychoactive medications, etc.) on the various systems of the body.

Nursing Theory

Nursing theory concerns the creation and structuring of nursing ideas. Studying these foundational theories helps nurses develop the knowledge and skills required to provide the best care possible for their patients. Included are “grand theories” relating to broad nursing concepts, mid-range (or narrower scope) theories, and nursing practice theories, which apply to specific nursing practice situations.

• Nutritional Science for Health Professionals:
  Study of the scientific foundation and fundamentals of human nutrition and their relationship to food choices, food safety, health behaviors, public health, and the prevention of chronic disease.
• Health Assessment:
  A look at the knowledge and skills associated with health promotion, prevention of disease, and the early detection of illness through the comprehensive physical assessment of the patient.
• Community Health and Population-Focused Nursing:
  Survey of the theories and models of health promotion as they relate to cultures, communities, and other populations.

Professional Nursing & Leadership

One of the major purposes of any MSN degree program is to train students to become effective leaders in their jobs and within their professional communities. Good nursing leaders inspire their peers to work as a team to meet the goal of quality and progressive patient care.

• Healthcare Business Dynamics:
  The application of business principles and concepts as they relate to patient-centered care across a range of health care settings, including finance, budgeting, organizational structuring, marketing, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Policy, Politics, and Global Health Trends:
  Overview of the economic, political, and social factors influencing policies that affect acute care settings on the community, national, and global levels.
• Quality and Safety Management:
  Examination of management strategies and the improvement of processes associated with patient safety and quality outcomes, including program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Nursing Education

Nursing education courses explore the teaching and learning approaches necessary to design, develop, and assess nursing education programs. An MSN degree is typically a prerequisite for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a nurse educator or any other advanced professional position in nursing.

• The Role of the Nurse Educator:
  Examination of the teaching, scholarship, and service, as well as the responsibilities of the nurse educator, in the academic and health care environments.
• Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education:
  Investigation of strategies used to assess and evaluate student learning in the classroom, clinical settings, laboratories, online, and other applicable education domains.
• Emerging Trends and Challenges in Nursing Education:
  Survey and analysis of emerging nursing education trends, technologies, and challenges in the 21^st century, and the role of the nurse educator as scholar and policy advocate.