Lourdes offers new masters program for RNs
Written by Lauren Farnsworth | | news@toledofreepress.comStarting this fall, Lourdes College is offering a new master’s program for registered nurses.
There are only 160 Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs nationwide and Lourdes new program is among them, according to Heather Hoffman, media director at Lourdes.
“It’s a unique program because we’re really the only school in the area that’s offering it,” said Keith Ramsdell, director of graduate admissions at Lourdes.
To apply, RNs must have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA from their RN program and submit a resume, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose, explaining why they want to pursue the degree.
In addition to this, they must undergo an interview.
Students accepted into the program will be granted conditional admission. They must complete nine prerequisite undergraduate courses with at least a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program.
Some of the prerequisites include a writing course for medical professionals, bioethics and an introduction to professional nursing, community nursing and management and leadership theory, according to Deb Vargo, director of the MSN program at Lourdes.
The nine bridge courses allow RNs to bypass a baccalaureate degree and jump right into the MSN program. This eliminates 25 courses, saving students more than $11,000, Hoffman said.
“We have many two year and three year graduates, two year being the associate degree and three year being the diploma program, and we have a shortage of nurses with advanced degrees in this area,” Vargo said. “We thought it would be something unique to offer to those two classifications of nurses.”
The program was designed to fit the needs of nurses working full time, with classes one night a week. It takes three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years to complete depending on full or part-time status.
“Registered nurses with the associate degrees are one of the fastest growing groups of nurses. However, there is a high demand for masters prepared nurse leaders and educators who are essential to the rapidly changing health care environment,” said Judy Didion, dean of the School of Nursing.
A lot of local hospitals want managers to have at least a BSN, if not an MSN, according to Vargo.
She believes the program will be successful and hopes to have 20 students enrolled in the fall.
“I’ve spoken to several nurses in the area that are interested in the program,” Vargo said.
For more information, call Vargo at (419) 824-3792.
Lourdes has offered the RN to BSN program for more than 20 years according to Hoffman.
Lourdes’ Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Other nursing programs include, Basic Pre-Licensure BSN, Nurses Aid to BSN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, Nurse Educator, Nurse Leader, Nursing Education Graduate Certificate, Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate and Operating Room First Assistant.
