Misericordia University Nursing School Review

Misericordia University (MU), founded in 1924, is a small, Roman Catholic college located in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Students who are looking for a small-school feel will find it here: less than 3000 students are enrolled at the college, and the student to faculty ratio is twelve to one. The school specializes in liberal arts, professional studies, and pre-professional studies. The nursing department, which is part of the College of Health Sciences, is one of the school’s strongest departments. Prospective nurses, as well as nurses seeking continuing education, have educational options through Misericordia University. All nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional Program

Students with no experience or education in the nursing field may enroll in the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This program takes four years to complete. Students spend the first three semesters focusing solely on general education requirements and background courses, before beginning the first nursing course in the second semester of sophomore year. Throughout the next five semesters, students take more in-depth nursing courses as well as more general education classes. After graduation, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN), and seek work as Registered Nurses (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated Expressway RN to BSN Program

The Accelerated Expressway RN to BSN program is open to RNs who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing. These incoming RNs receive thirty-two credits toward lower-level nursing coursework, on the basis of their degree and work experience. In addition to these credits, RNs in the program must earn twenty-two credits of upper-level nursing courses. An advisor will determine if the incoming RN needs to complete any general education requirements in addition to the nursing coursework. The length of the program, then, varies based on the number of classes required.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Second Degree

A student who has already earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing may enroll in the BSN Second Degree option. He is excused from all general education requirements; he only needs to complete nursing coursework. He has two options for completing the coursework: on a full-time basis during the day or on a part-time basis in the evening. On a full-time basis, he begins with a summer semester, and then completes two additional academic years (five semesters in total). On a part-time basis, he must study for seven consecutive semesters (including three summer semesters). Regardless of whether he studies full-time or part-time, he must earn fifty-one credits of nursing courses. Completion of the BSN Second Degree program prepares a student to take the NCLEX_RN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Adult Learner Option

The adult learner option of the BSN program is designed for those who have completed a significant number of college credits, but do not have a degree of any kind. Unlike the students in the second degree option, students in the adult learner option do have to complete all the university’s general education requirements, in addition to the fifty-one credits of nursing courses. Like the students in the second degree option, students in the adult learner option may complete the BSN degree on a full-time basis during the day, or on a part-time basis during the evenings. The length of the program will vary, depending on how many general education courses and prerequisites a student in the adult learner track has to complete in addition to the nursing courses. After completing the program, a graduate may take the NCLEX_RN.

Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner

An RN who holds a BSN degree may enroll in Misericordia University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and work toward certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). As an FNP, she will be qualified to provide primary care to patients of all ages. The program consists of forty-five credits total, which includes core graduate nursing classes and classes in the FNP specialization. An MSN student must complete 630 clinical hours in order to graduate. The program take eight semesters (including summers) to complete, and prepares the graduate to take the credentialing exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Master of Science in Nursing – RN to MSN

An RN who is a graduate of an associate-degree or diploma program may simultaneously complete a BSN and an MSN, specializing as an FNP. In order to be eligible for this RN to MSN track, the RN must have 1000 hours of work experience over the last three years. Incoming RNs will receive thirty-two credits for their previous nursing classes, and must complete the remainder of the undergraduate nursing classes (twenty-two credits), and required general education classes as determined by an advisor, and the graduate nursing classes (forty-five credits).

Post-master’s Certificate

An RN who already holds an MSN degree may take classes toward a post-master’s certification, without retaking core graduate nursing classes. Misericordia University offers two post-master’s certification options: FNP and Nurse Educator. To become an FNP, a nurse must complete twenty-eight credit hours and 630 clinical hours. To earn certification as a Nurse Educator, he must earn twelve credits, which includes a teaching internship.

Contact:
Misericordia University
301 Lake Street,
Dallas, PA 18612