Table of Contents

Introduction

Three tracks to the MSN degree are offered at WNMU. These tracks are the:

(Traditional) BSN-RN MSN track

(Non-traditional) ADN-RN without a bachelor’s degree MSN track

(Non-traditional) ADN-RN with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree MSN track

The development of these tracks aligns with multiple stakeholders that include professional nurses, clinical partners, WNMU and its communities of interest, and healthcare delivery systems nationwide.

The baccalaureate tracks are granted full approval by the New Mexico Board of Nursing, 6301 Indian School NE, Suite 710, Albuquerque, NM 87110, telephone (505) 841-8340.

The baccalaureate tracks in nursing at Western New Mexico University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The Master of Science in Nursing program at Western New Mexico University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Track Information

Mission and Vision Statement

Mission

The mission of the Western New Mexico University – School of Nursing is to promote health and improve the quality of life for diverse populations by providing nursing education which instills the values of community, nursing scholarship, practice and community service.

Vision

The School of Nursing prepares Registered Nurses as clinicians, educators, and nursing leaders to serve in the global community.

Goals, Objectives, and Learning Outcomes

RN-to-BSN Track

MSN Program

Track Description

Previously, the MSN program offered through WNMU admission track required Registered Nurses (RNs) to have a BSN degree to apply.

The RN-to-MSN track allows the RNs with an ADN to apply for the MSN program. There are three admission tracks:

(traditional) BSN-to-RN to MSN
(non-traditional) RN (ADN) without a bachelor’s degree
(non-traditional) RN (ADN) with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree

These three tracks align with multiple stakeholders, including WNMU, professional nurses, clinical partners, communities, and healthcare delivery systems nationwide.

Transfer Credit

Graduates of ADN Programs may transfer lower division credits to WNMU
Credit(s) earned in diploma programs will be evaluated on an individual basis
Only college courses with a grade of C or better will transfer
WNMU resident credit policies require that a minimum amount of coursework must be taken through WNMU

General Education Requirements and Supporting Coursework for the RN-to-BSN Degree

WNMU General Education Requirements – Applicants should refer to WNMU Catalog
MATH 321 – Statistics

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 42 credit hours of upper division courses is required. The credit hours are required from the following areas:

RN-to-MSN students begin on the RN-to-BSN track and should choose the following 3 credit-hour prerequisite courses first:

ENGL 1120: Composition II

MATH 1350: Introduction to Statistics

NUR 336: Pathophysiology for Nurses

NUR 401: Gerontological Nursing

NUR 408: Issues in Professional Nursing (service learning)

NUR 429: Utilizing Resources

NUR 432: Nursing Informatics

Upon completion of these courses, the student may elect to continue on the RN-to-BSN track, or “step up” and become an MSN program applicant.

Degree Plans

RN-to-BSN Degree Plan RN -to-MSN Degree Plan – Individualized with the Nursing Advisor

RN-to-BSN Track Course Descriptions

Admissions Criteria

The MSN program will admit baccalaureate-prepared nurses with a BSN who hold a valid unencumbered U.S. RN license from any state in the U.S. Further information for those RNs who hold a BSN and are interested in applying to the WNMU MSN program, more information is found here: https://sonak.wnmu.edu/msn/.

If you would like to pursue a BSN prior to an MSN please explore our RN-to-BSN track here: https://sonak.wnmu.edu/bsn/.

For RNs with a valid, unencumbered license to practice nursing in the United States, the following MSN accelerated track options are available.

RN with no baccalaureate degree

RN with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree

The potential student has:

graduated with an ADN from an accredited program
a current, valid, unencumbered RN license in the United States
has, or will have, two years of working experience as an RN prior to admission to the MSN program
cumulative GPA of 2.75 (a GPA of 2.75-2.99 will be considered for conditional admission in the MSN program – the MSN program requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher).

Will complete the following courses prior to admission to the MSN program:

ENGL 1120: Composition II

MATH 1350: Introduction to Statistics

NUR 336: Pathophysiology for Nurses

NUR 401: Gerontological Nursing

NUR 408: Issues in Professional Nursing (service learning)

NUR 429: Utilizing Resources

NUR 432: Nursing Informatics

*Liability with malpractice insurance: Recommended at time of admission. Liability/malpractice insurance is required at time of enrollment in NUR 401 and 481

Admissions Checklist

Thank you for your interest in our program. The following is an outline of the application, admission, and transcript evaluation process.

Apply to WNMU for admission as an undergraduate
Apply to the RN-to-BSN track
Provide official (sealed) college transcripts direct to WNMU. Because the RN-to-BSN track requires an Associate Degree, high school and GED transcripts are not necessary. Official copies of all college transcripts are required, however.
Check on your admission status: To see if your transcripts have been received, contact the Admissions office at 575-538-6000 or admissions@wnmu.edu
Liability insurance is recommended at the time of admission. Students enrolling in NUR 401 & 481 are required to provide evidence of liability insurance.
Complete the FAFSA Application: Collect your tax and W-2 information from the previous year and go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. The School code is 002664. Students can also apply for grants and scholarships. Contact the Foundation Office for more grant and scholarship information.
Once all transcripts have been received and application processed, applicants shall receive a formal degree plan. The degree plan will be sent to the applicant via the student’s WNMU email account and will reflect exactly which courses will need to be completed for the RN-to-MSN track.

Send University Application Materials to:

WNMU-Office of Admissions PO Box 680, Silver City, New Mexico 88062. Phone: 1-800-872-9668. Email: admissions@wnmu.edu Website: http://www.wnmu.edu
Register for classes: Please contact the student advisor to arrange course registration.

Send RN-to-MSN track Application Materials to the student advisor or mail to:

School of Nursing Advisor
PO Box 680
Silver City, New Mexico, 88062
Email: nursing@wnmu.edu
Phone: 575-538-6960

IMPORTANT NOTE:

After you apply for admission, please disregard any communication or letters from the Admissions Office indicating that you need to submit your high school transcripts, to complete ACCUPLACER testing, or attend new-student orientation. Our RN-to-BSN students are exempt from the requirements for high school transcripts, ACCUPLACER testing, or new-student orientation. Applicants for the RN-to-BSN track will only need to request official college transcripts. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact the School of Nursing at 575‐538‐6960 or contact the student advisor. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR COURSE(S)

You will not be able to access your courses until the starting date of the class. From the WNMU home page, click on the Current Students menu and select “Canvas.” You will be directed to the Canvas log in page. Students should log in with the same information you use to log in to Mustang Express. To navigate to your course home page, select the course from the Course menu located at the left of the Canvas page. It is very important to log in to your online course during the first day of the semester (or the starting date of the course for courses that begin mid-semester) as this is how your instructor will take attendance.