Nursing Education Programs for the Registered Nurse

The School of Nursing offers two programs for nurses who are already licensed and do not hold a baccalaureate in nursing degree. The baccalaureate degree program provides RNs with the opportunity to complete their undergraduate professional nursing education. For RNs who know that graduate education is a goal and want to pursue a BSN and a Master of Science in Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, the School offers an RN to MSN program.

BSN for the RN

The baccalaureate degree for the registered nurse program offers licensed registered nurses the opportunity to complete their professional nursing education. The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing after completion of 120 credits of prescribed coursework. The innovative program is designed to build on basic nursing knowledge, enhancing nursing practice in an increasingly complex society. The BSN for the RN major is offered in a combined campus and distance learning format; the majority of all coursework is available online. Students may participate in the program through affiliated worksites, including community colleges, or as individuals. Courses are taught in the following formats: web classroom, CD-ROM, and web-enhanced.

MSN for the RN

The MSN program for RNs is an innovative program that provides the majority of coursework online for flexible scheduling. Students complete 134 credits of prescribed coursework; clinical education is focused on adult health or nursing of children. The degree requirements culminate in a concurrent BSN and MSN awarded upon completion of the program. Admission to this program is more competitive than the RN to BSN program and the program is designed to accelerate one’s advanced nursing education as a clinical nurse specialist. (Admission highlights and differences are noted below.) The MSN for the RN major is offered in a combined campus and distance learning format; the majority of all coursework is available online. Students may participate in the program through affiliated worksites, including community colleges, or as individuals. Courses are taught in the following formats: web classroom, CD-ROM, and web-enhanced.

For Program Information please contact Fay Wood at (302) 831-3012 or faywood@udel.edu.

Admission to the School

A registered nurse who is a graduate of an associate degree or diploma nursing program may apply for admission directly to the School of Nursing, University of Delaware. Before applying, potential applicants are encouraged to request an evaluation of their unofficial transcript in order to confirm their eligibility status. The instructions for requesting this evaluation are provided below. The applicant should then complete the online application and submit the following to the School of Nursing :

• A copy of the receipt of application page with application fee (print upon completion of online application).
• A copy of current nursing license.
• Official transcripts verifying college credits previously earned including verification of graduation. (For the RN to BSN program, a student who is transferring credit from other institutions must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point index (GPI) in all previous college work. For the RN to MSN program, a student’s GPI must be 3.0 in previous college work.) The University accepts credits only from those institutions that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association. This determination is made only at the time of formal application to the University. You may wish to contact institutions you attended previously to ascertain their status during your period of enrollment.

The applicant must submit the following to the School of Nursing after receiving notification of acceptance from the University:

• Employer Recommendation Form
• Immunization Record (one copy sent to Student Health Services and one copy to the School of Nursing )
• Copy of Current CPR Certification
• Documentation of Bloodborne Pathogens & Safety Training (to meet UD policies for students)
• Also for RN to MSN students: Copy of Professional Liability Insurance Facesheet
• PLEASE NOTE: Many clinical agencies now require criminal background checks and drug screenings (baseline and/or random); you may also be required to submit this documentation prior to clinical enrollment.

(All documents must be current prior to entry into clinical coursework. )

Worksite Participation

For worksite information, visitation, and advisement, contact Anne Derbyshire, BSN, RN at 302-831-0442 or by e-mail at aderb@udel.edu

Unofficial Transcript Evaluation

To receive an unofficial transcript evaluation, you may send student copies of your transcripts and a cover letter to:

Attn: Counselor
ACCESS Center, 203 Clayton Hall
Professional and Continuing Studies
University of Delaware
Newark DE 19716

Or fax the information to:
(302) 831-2789
Attn: Counselor

Please send a cover letter which includes the following information:

• Name, address, and telephone number. Indicate all names by which you have been known.
• Name of school(s) for which transcripts will be evaluated.
• Indicate that the evaluation is for either the RN to BSN or RN to MSN program.
• You will be contacted by mail with the results of this review within 2-4 weeks.
  

	Why Nursing at UD
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Nursing Enrollment & Progression for RN Nursing Programs
	View Sample Course at UD Online
	RN to BSN NURS443 Clinical Practicum Information (PDF)
	Graduation Information
	Graduate Nursing Programs at UD
	Student Nurses Links