Nursing Entry Level, MSN

The Entry Level MSN program is designed for candidates who hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree who are interested in transitioning into the field of nursing as graduate level RNs. Students must meet the pre-nursing curriculum requirements before entering the pre-licensure coursework. After completion of pre-licensure coursework, students apply for RN licensure through the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requiring successful passing of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The pre-licensure section of the program requires a full-time commitment.

Post-licensure MSN coursework builds on Baccalaureate or entry-level nursing practice, meets the AACN Master’s Essentials (2011) and culminates in graduate level direct care. Students will earn a MSN degree in a chosen area of concentration: Nurse Educator, Nursing Informatics, or Healthcare Leadership. Graduates are prepared to enter into doctoral studies.

The Nurse Educator concentration will prepare students in curriculum design and development, teaching methodologies, educational needs assessment, and learner-centered theories and methods.

The Nursing Informatics concentration will prepare students to explore health information technology and allow students to design, plan, and evaluate systems to improve the effectiveness of care. The program prepares students to work in the field of healthcare informatics.

The Healthcare Leadership (HCL) concentration will prepare students to examine roles in nursing administration emphasizing clinical outcomes management, care environment management, and inter-professional collaboration.

All concentration areas have supervised experiences that are sufficient to demonstrate mastery of the AACN Master’s Essentials (2011).

Admission Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing Admission Requirements

Admission standards for graduate studies at California Baptist University can be found in the Admissions section of the University Catalog. Additional application requirements for the graduate programs in Nursing are:

Grade Point Average
- A minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA for unconditional admission and a minimum 2.8 science GPA. A minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA for conditional admission.
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution recognoized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the evaluated equivalency.
Prerequisites*. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher prior to pre-licensee admission
- Intermediate Composition
- Interpersonal Communication
- General Sociology or Cultural Anthropology or Holistic Health (ANT 315)
- Abnormal Psychology
- Introductory Statistics or Intermediate Algebra
- Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology
- Human Anatomy/Physiology with Lab (2 semesters)
- Organic and Biochemistry for Health Sciences with Lab
- Human Microbiology with Lab
Pre-Admission Examination *
Three Recommendations completed on forms provided *
- Must be from sources who can personally attest to the candidate’s potential for scholarly and professional success: one personal, one academic, and one employer. Family members and friends may not complete recommendations.
A Comprehensive essay of no more than 1000 words that includes the following elements *:
- Purpose for entering the program
- Significant events and influences that have affected your approach to life
- Long-term professional goals
- Reasons for choosing to study at California Baptist University
- Essay must be submitted in APA format
Successful Interview with the College of Nursing *
Clearances *:
- CPR Certification
- Background Check Clearance
- Health Clearance
- Drug Testing
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Proof of Motor Vehicle Insurance

* Not required to enroll in pre-nursing curriculum; must be completed prior to acceptance to the EL-MSN program.

Pre-Nursing Curriculum

The following pre-nursing requisites are offered at California Baptist University:

Pre-Nursing Courses

BIO 153 - Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 153L - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
BIO 163 - Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 163L - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
BIO 205 - Human Microbiology
BIO 205L - Human Microbiology Lab
CHE 112 - Organic and Biochemistry for Health Sciences
CHE 112L - Organic and Biochemistry for Health Sciences Lab

COM 308 - Interpersonal Communications OR
COM 113 - Oral Communication
ENG 123 - Intermediate Composition
PSY 120 - Lifespan Development for the Health Professions
PSY 346 - Abnormal Psychology
SOC 213 - Introduction to Sociology OR
ANT 225 - Cultural Anthropology OR
ANT 315 - Holistic Health and Healing
STA 144 - Introduction to Statistics OR
MAT 115 - Intermediate Algebra

Program Requirements (107-109 units)

Pre-Licensure Course Requirements

Note

* The number of theory and clinical hours required are prescribed by the Board of Registered Nursing. For the first semester, practicum and classroom components of the courses are combined under one course number. Skills laboratory hours are assigned in addition to units above in required courses.

** Practicum units must be taken concurrent with corresponding classroom hours.

Post-Licensure ELMSN Course Requirements

Concentration Requirements (14-16 units)

Complete one of the following concentrations: Health Care Leadership; Nurse Educator; Nursing Informatics

Health Care Leadership (14 units)

Nurse Educator (16 units)