What Is A Bridge Program For Nursing
Nursing is a challenging, rewarding career. A nationwide shortage means great career opportunities are available. HCC’s program takes four semesters, and graduates are eligible for the national RN licensing exam. Browse nursing programs and learn about types of nursing degrees. Discover which one may be right for you and how long it will take to earn. Another bridge program, an RN-to-BSN degree is designed for registered nurse graduates of associate degree or diploma programs who want to complete their BSN degree. For LPNs/LVNs who want to become Registered Nurses, we offer LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge options for your continued education and professional growth. This program is offered in Cincinnati, Hazard, Louisville, San Antonio, and Tampa Bay.
SHARE Facebook If you’ve recently encountered a mention of an RN to MSN bridge program for the first time, it’s understandable if you’re puzzled about what, exactly, this terminology means. You might or might not be aware that “RN” means “resident nurse” and that “MSN” refers to a Master of Science degree in nursing.
When it comes to the part about the bridge, you’d be correct if you’ve already concluded that we’re not talking about either the card game or the infrastructure that connects one riverbank to another, allowing you to safely pass over the water flowing underneath. So what, exactly, does the word “bridge” mean when it is used in this sense? What is an RN to MSN bridge program, anyway? Spider man 2 games xbox. In this case, the word “bridge” is metaphorical.
What Is A Bridge Program In College

It is, indeed, a connector — only what it connects is an educational gap. A bridge program can bridge the academic gap for someone who holds a nursing diploma or associate’s degree but wants to earn a Master of Science degree in the field of nursing.
Let’s discuss some situations where bridge programs could help current or aspiring nurses meet their academic and career goals. Situation #1: A Registered Nurse Wants to Further Her or His Academic Credentials in the Fastest Possible Way. It’s possible to become a registered nurse simply by obtaining a nursing diploma or an associate’s degree; a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is not a necessary prerequisite for a nursing career. In cases where a licensed, practicing RN without a bachelor’s degree wants to obtain a master’s degree, completing a bridge program can be the fastest way to accomplish that goal. Some bridge programs grant MSN degrees upon successful completion without requiring students to have obtained their bachelor’s degrees. The required coursework in bridge programs like this typically includes the material required for both degrees in the most efficient possible manner.
Most bridge programs are structured with the flexibility necessary to enable working RNs who have busy schedules to earn their Master’s degrees quickly without giving up their current nursing jobs. Many bridge programs feature online learning options that allow RNs to study at their own convenience. Situation #2: Someone Who Already Has an Unrelated Bachelor’s Degree Wants to Change Careers to Become an Advanced Practice Nurse. This is a less common situation than situation #1 described above; not all bridge programs are intended to accommodate career changers who decide they want to become advanced practice nurses after previously having pursued unrelated work. Staff members in some nursing bridge programs are willing and able to accommodate students in this type of scenario.