Robert Morris University Nursing School Review

Robert Morris University (RMU) in Pennsylvania, a private university just outside Pittsburg, focuses on delivering high-quality professional training programs. The university has been in existence since 1921, and it enrolls over 5000 students in its programs in education, engineering, business, information technology, and health sciences. Robert Morris University holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; its programs have separate accreditations. The nursing programs, which are part of the School of Nursing and Health Services, hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional Track

A student with no previous nursing education or experience may enroll in the traditional track of Robert Morris University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In the first two years of this four-year program, a student takes general education courses and prerequisites. He takes his first nursing class in the spring of his sophomore year, and begins clinical rotations in the first semester of his junior year. In total, he must earn 127 credits to complete the program, and maintain a GPA of 2.0. Graduation enables him to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN), and pursue a career as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Second Degree Track

A student who already holds a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing can complete a BSN degree in as little as fifteen months. Before beginning the BSN Second Degree Track, however, she must fulfill any missing prerequisites and general education courses. The Second Degree Track begins in the fall semester, and goes through the following spring, summer, and fall semesters. The program is only available on a full-time basis. To complete the program, the student must earn sixty-two credits of nursing classes, in addition to transferred credits for general education courses or prerequisites. Graduation allows her to take the NCLEX_RN.

Master of Science in Nursing

An RN who wishes to train future nurses can learn the skills he needs through Robert Morris University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. This is a part-time, completely online program that will prepare him to take the Nurse Educator certification exam. Typically, an MSN student will take two courses a semester, over the course of two years. He must earn a total of thirty-six credits to graduate. The traditional track of the MSN program is open to RNs who hold a BSN and have at least one year of work experience.

Master of Science in Nursing – RN to MSN

An RN who is a graduate of an associate-degree or diploma program may also work toward certification as a Nurse Educator, but she has to complete her BSN degree first. Robert Morris University offers a special RN to MSN track that allows her to complete both simultaneously. Before enrolling, she must complete any missing prerequisites and general education courses. Once enrolled, the program takes three years to complete on a part-time basis (two courses each semester). The courses are all offered online only.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Completion Program

Robert Morris University offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) completion program for RNs who already hold an MSN degree and advanced practice certification as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist. The program is hybrid in format; a DNP student will spend five days on campus each semester, and complete the remainder of the program online. The program requires thirty-one credits, and the typical course sequence takes five semesters to complete (taking two or three classes each semester).

Doctor of Nursing Practice – BSN to DNP

While the DNP completion program is only open to master’s-prepared nurses, the BSN to DNP program is open to RNs who only hold a BSN degree. This intensive program requires at least eighty credits to complete, and consists of core graduate nursing classes as well as classes in a nurse practitioner area of focus.  Students must also complete over 1000 hours of clinical practice. Students in the BSN to DNP program may work toward certification as Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP), Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP), and Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses. The BSN to DNP program is available on either a full-time or part-time basis. On a full-time basis, it takes three years to complete. On a part-time basis, it requires four years. Some classes must be completed on-site, but others are available online. 

Contact:
Robert Morris University
6001 University Blvd.,
Moon Township, PA 15108