Nursing: RN-BSN Essential Facts

What’s the academic year like? How many credits are required for a BSN?
Drexel’s programs use the quarter system. The academic year is divided into 10 week quarters and a variety of courses are offered each quarter. Students graduate after completing all required nursing courses and general education courses, and completing at least 180 quarter credits (including college credits that you’ve transferred into Drexel).

What are the entry requirements for the RN-BSN completion program?
We require a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and completion of all prerequisite courses in Tier I of the program. Take a look at our curriculum to see prerequisites for the RN-BSN completion program.

How often during the year will students be accepted into the program?
We accept new students for the fall, winter, and spring quarters.

What additional skills will I develop as a student in Drexel’s program?
You will graduate with enhanced skills in professional communication, including professional writing and speaking, and you will expand your professional leadership skills. You will develop facility in technology-based information access and management, and will have experience using personal digital assistants (PDA’s) and other supports for evidence-based professional nursing practice. You will also have a unique opportunity to explore an area of clinical interest through our Senior Concentration or Senior Thesis courses. These courses allow students to add depth to their existing areas of expertise or explore options in other clinical nursing specialties.

How can I receive credit for courses I’ve already taken at other colleges or elsewhere?
You will receive credit for your basic RN courses, whether you graduated with a diploma or with an associate’s degree, as long as you have grades of “C” or higher. Non-nursing courses with grades of “C” or higher can be transferred to Drexel. You may also take CLEP examinations for college credit in a variety of subjects. An individualized plan of study will be developed based on your previous college work, skills, and interests.

What if you are interested in the RN-BSN-MSN program?
If you are interested in the following MSN Programs we encourage you to submit an application in your last term of
the RN/BSN Program:

• MSN in Contemporary Nursing Faculty
• MSN in Clinical Trials
• MSN in Leadership in Health Systems Management
• MSN in Innovation & Intra/Entrepreneurship for Advanced Practice Nursing.

We offer an accelerated RN/BSN/MSN option if you are
interested in the Nurse Anesthesia Program or the Nurse Practitioner Programs.

We offer the following Nurse Practitioner Programs

• Adult Care Nurse Practitioner Program (on-line)
• Family Nurse Practitioner Program (on campus)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program (on campus)
• Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  Program (on-line)
• Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program (on-line)

** Please note students in the MSN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and the Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program may only be admitted from the regional area who will seek nurse practitioner clinical placements in the following states: Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Students living on the borders of these regions may be admitted with the understanding that all clinical practicums must be taken in the regional states.

If you are interested in the Nurse Anesthesia Program and the Nurse Practitioner Programs we encourage you to submit an application close to completing the BSN degree. You work closely with the academic advisor to ensure proper progression.

 You must meet the admission requirements for the MSN program. The GRE or MAT exams are waived with the exception
of the Nurse Anesthesia Program.  A satisfactory GRE or MAT score is required for the Nurse Anesthesia Program.
 
If you are accepted to Nurse Anesthesia Program or one of the Nurse Practitioner Programs you are permitted to take graduate courses to fulfill Nurs 460 Global Health or Nurs 462 Science, Technology & Health. You are permitted to take up to 3 graduate courses (9 credits)

You must complete the remaining non-nursing requirements and the remaining Upper Division nursing courses.

Please note: You must take Nurse 465 – Senior Thesis.

You are not permitted to take graduate courses until you have been accepted to the MSN Program.

Please note that you remain an undergraduate student until you have completed the required credit hours for the BSN degree.