Murray State University

Nursing Programs Offered

RN to BSN Program Details

The School of Nursing at Murray State is committed to meeting the health care needs of the region and wishes to assist you in advancing your nursing education. Greater numbers of registered nurses are enrolling in higher education courses to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN), and we are very pleased you are considering Murray State. We are here to assist you!

Whether you want to enhance your leadership potential and skills, earn a promotion, or gain personal satisfaction, our CCNE accredited RN BSN program can help you achieve your goals. The purposes of the MSU RN BSN program are to: a) prepare a liberally educated individual; b) prepare a professional graduate who practices as a generalists, and c) prepare one who is qualified to pursue graduate study in nursing. The convenience of Murray State’s program allows the working nurse to achieve professional and educational goals in a very reasonable accelerated timeframe.

Murray State is known nationally for its excellent academic programs. The office of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach was organized for extending the boundaries of the institution beyond the traditional classroom and main campus. Offered in a hybrid format through our extended campuses in Kentucky (Paducah, Hopkinsville, Henderson, Madisonville, and Ft. Campbell), the RN BSN program provides an opportunity for the intellectual growth of those mature learners who find it impossible to come to the main campus for study and coursework.

The RN BSN program assumes students have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing and hold state licensure prior to admission.

BSN Program Details

The School of Nursing at Murray State University offers a program leading to the BACCALAUREATE DEGREE in nursing. Graduates are prepared for beginning levels of professional nurse practice and will have met the educational requirements for eligibility to write the state board licensing examination for registered nurses. The content of the program provides a foundation for continuing education and advanced study. The program is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. In addition to the university admission requirements applicants must be formally admitted to the nursing program following completion of eligibility requirements.

To be eligible to apply to the nursing program the student must:

1. Be admitted to Murray State University with a major in Nursing.
2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and 30 credit hours.
3. Have required immunizations and CPR certification.
4. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
5. All transfer credit must have been received and processed by MSU.
6. Have completed pre-requisite courses:

A. General Biology (BIO 101) 4 hrs.
B. College Algebra (MAT 140) 4 hrs.
C. Public Speaking (COM 161) 3 hrs.
D. Composition (ENG 105) 4 hrs.
E. Chemistry (CHE 111) 5 hrs.
F. Human Anatomy (BIO 227) 2 hrs.
G. Human Anatomy Lab (BIO228) 2 hrs.
H. General Psychology (PSY 180) 3 hrs.

7. Admission is limited and selection is based upon GPA, TEAS scores,

and prerequisite course grades. Please refer to the “Application to BSN program” and the “Application Criteria” links for additional information.