Our RN to BSN Option is specifically for the Registered Nurse whose goal is to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option (BRNCO) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10016, (212) 363-5555 ext. 153.

Classes

The BRNCO offers Tuesday day and evening classes to accommodate working professionals. Selected classes are offered online either Spring or Fall semester on a rotating basis. Nursing courses are not offered in the summer semester. Because of the rigorous demands of this option, students are urged to carefully consider home and work obligations when establishing their academic workload. A master schedule of courses is available in the Nursing Department, Admin Building 220.

Class Schedule Examples

Tuition and Fees

MSCD tuition and fees PDF can be downloaded here.

Admission Requirements

• Graduate of an Associate Degree of Diploma Program in Nursing
• Current license to practice as a registered nurse (RN)
• Completed 33 semester hours of college-level course work that includes: ENGL 1010 & ENGL 1020, psychology, sociology & 6 semester hours of natural science credits. These courses may be taken at MSCD.
• Certified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support
• Application completed for the Department of Nursing
• Applicants who have graduated from an ADN or diploma nursing program more than 3 years prior to applying to the MSCD RN to BSN Option must verify one of the following:
  • Nursing Work Experience of 1,000 hours
  • Approved refresher course

Requirements for Graduation :

A total of 120 Credits Hours are needed to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Metropolitan State College of Denver.   No minor is required.

NOTE:  In accordance with College policy, a total of 64 credits can be transferred in from a two year institution; 30 credits from the Associate Degree or Diploma Nursing Program and 34 credits in general studies, electives and/or support courses.   

General Studies = 27 Credit Hours

• English – 6 credit hours (ENG 1010 & ENG 1020)
• Math – 3 credit hours
• Communications – 3 credit hours
• History – 3 credit hours
• Social Sciences – 6 credit hours (3 psychology & 3 sociology)
• Natural Sciences – 6 credit hours

Electives = 10-18 Credit Hours

•  Unrestricted electives. 

Support Courses = 6 Credit Hours
Required by the Department of Nursing and must be met before the start of nursing courses.

• Statistics (3CH) –  math, business or psychology statistics meets the requirement.
• ANT 3480 Cultural Diversity in Health & Illness (3CH) –  this is a Metro course and should be taken prior to or at the same time of NUR 3100 Transitions in Nursing (first nursing course).  This also meets the College 3 credit hour multicultural course requirement for graduation. Please reference the attached list of additional approved courses if you are not able to register for this course. (see below for recommended courses)

Nursing Courses = 33 Credit Hours
It is strongly recommended that students have no more than 6 credit hours outstanding in general education courses prior to beginning of nursing courses. 

The Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion curriculum provides a list of the nursing courses required to receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon the successful completion of NUR 3800-Advances in Clinical Practice, instructions will be provided for the award of credits from the Associate Degree or Diploma Nursing Program. 

All nursing course are held on Tuesdays (to accommodate the working nurse) in a semester based format.  If students wish to follow a primarily on-line format, it is suggested that the first nursing course be taken in the Spring Semester. 

As part of the Nursing Curriculum students are required to complete 90 clinical hours in the Community Health course and 90 clinical hours in the Senior Experience course.  The Department of Nursing Clinical Placement Manager will assign placements for these courses.  Once registered for the course, the professor will discuss details of the clinical placement opportunities available. Students must be able to complete these clinical experiences in the metro Denver area.

MSCD BACCALAUREATE REGISTERED NURSE COMPLETION CURRICULUM
Required nursing major (33 semester hours)

*30 Credits granted after completion of NUR 3800 through the Colorado Statewide Nursing Articulation Model/Agreement

Required support courses (9 - 10 semester hours)

 Elective credit (3 hours required - Must be approved by Nursing Faculty)

Recommended multicultural courses

The following courses are recommended by the Department of Nursing Faculty to meet the 3-credit hour support course requirement.

• ANT 2330 - Cross-Cultural Communication 3 credits
• ANT 3480 - Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness 3 credits
• HSP 3490 - Multicultural Issues in Human Services 4 credits
• MGT 4830 - Workforce Diversity 3 credits
• PSY 3170 - Multicultural Service Learning 4 credits - Includes 45 hours of volunteer work-in psych setting and six additional semester hours in psychology
• SOC 1040 - Introduction to Gerontology 3 credits
• SOC 3220 - Race, Gender, Ethnic Groups 3 credits
• SPE 3760 - Cultural Influences on Communication 3 credits

Transfer credits

Courses from another baccalaureate nursing program will be individually evaluated. One third of the NUR required courses or 10 hours of credit can be transferred.

Orientation

Orientation is required for all RN to BSN Nursing majors during their first semester. This is not the general Metro Orientation but is designed specifically for Nursing majors only. These sessions are posted each semester. A critical thinking assessment will be given during orientation.

College Assessment

The Colorado Commission of Higher Education requires that all students pass this test prior to entering specific courses. The program recommends that you complete these assessments before the college orientation to avoid having your enrollment blocked or cancelled.

While in the Program

• Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all NUR prefix courses in order to progress through the program. Courses with grades of less than "C" will need to repeated in order for students to take any other courses for which the first course is a prerequisite.
• Keep registered nurse license, basic cardiac life support verification, and malpractice and liability insurance current throughout the program.
• Keep immunization and yearly tuberculosis screening current throughout the program.
• Complete articulation agreement form after official MSCD transcript evaluation is completed.
  • The nursing program is a full participant in the Colorado Nursing Articulation Model/Agreement. This agreement facilitates academic progress from one program to another. 30 semester hours of lower division nursing credit is held in escrow until you have received MSCD's official evaluation of your transcripts from other colleges and universities and provided a copy of this evaluation to your nursing academic advisor. After receiving your transcript evaluation, you are to complete the "Colorado Nursing Articulation Model Student Form" (obtain from Nursing Department) and return it to your academic nursing advisor.
• Obtain a Curriculum Advising Program Planning (CAPP) Compliance Report and review report with academic advisor.

Accreditation

Classes

Tuition and Fees

Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

General Studies Requirement

Degree Requirements

Required Support Courses

Transfer Credits

Orientation

College Assessment

While in the Program