New Mexico State University

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
MSN Programs
Nursing Science - Doctor's degree
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

The RN-BSN Completion Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education through the year 2012. It is designed for registered nurses (R.N.s) from diverse educational and multicultural backgrounds who want to earn a baccalaureate degree in an environment that will promote personal satisfaction and lifelong learning through challenging experiences.

The program allows R.N.s to receive credit for past academic and nursing course work and to practice in a varied healthcare setting. The curriculum is designed to be completed in approximately one year of full-time study, after completion of general education requirements. New Mexico State University requires 128 credits for graduation with a bachelor's degree, 48 of which must be upper division.

Students complete course assignments online. All students are introduced to the technology through a 2-3 day onsite mandatory orientation and are offered technical support through the School of Nursing throughout the semester. It is essential to have a computer with internet service to access the online courses and complete assignments.

Students will be required to meet all NMSU requirements for graduation, including general education requirements. All prerequisite and requisite course work taken at other institutions will be evaluated by the Registrar's office and transfer credit granted appropriately. Nursing course work taken at other institutions will be evaluated on an individual basis by the School of Nursing and granted appropriate lower-division credit, to a maximum of 41 credits.

New students are admitted once a year and begin classes during the first summer session. If you are interested in applying to the RN-BSN Completion Program, please take the time to complete this online Computer Competency Survey and submit it with the required information. Applications are now being accepted for Summer 2012.

BSN Program Details

The BSN Program offers three options to accommodate either the beginning nursing student with the traditional BSN degree, the returning registered nurse (RN) who wishes to complete a BSN, and the 2nd degree seeking Pathways option for those who already have a bachelor's degree in another field.

The NMSU School of Nursing main campus has partnered with the NMSU Grants Community College in Grants, New Mexico, to offer students at the Grants campus the BSN degree option. The nursing students in Grants receive the same instruction as the nursing students at NMSU's main campus, via interactive television (ITV) through videoconferencing. Instruction is delivered to the Grants site from main campus in a real-time synchronous two-way interactive environment. Students may also share access to course materials and assignments online using Blackboard.

MSN Program Details

The MSN curriculum provides students with the knowledge and experience to assume leadership positions in overall health care delivery and fulfill the fundamental requirements to secure middle and top-level administrative positions in health care agencies. The School of Nursing at New Mexico State University offers two MSN Program options, an MSN in Nursing Administration and the Roadrunner MSN Option.

This option is open to nurses who possess an RN license and a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN). The MSN in Nursing Administration prepares students for administrative careers in nursing and health care. The MSN degree also prepares the student for potential future doctoral education in nursing.
Roadrunner MSN (2nd degree option)

The School of Nursing also offers the Roadrunner MSN degree option, for individuals with undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields outside of nursing. Graduates of the Roadrunner MSN option obtain a generic Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) in 2 ½ years. Upon completion of all coursework the successful student is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and apply for RN licensure in the state of New Mexico.

This option is a blend of face-to-face and online work with undergraduate clinicals completed in the Las Cruces region. These graduates are prepared to assume positions of leadership in a wide variety of health care service areas including acute care, clinical education, research, health promotion, disease management, case management and rehabilitation and outpatient services.

Applications for the Roadrunner MSN option are now closed. New applicants will be considered February 2013.

Students who enroll in the MSN program options are required to come to campus at least once each year for a 3 to 4 day orientation. MSN coursework is completed each semester online via the internet. It is highly recommended that students are competent in the use of basic word processing and presentation software, preferably Microsoft Office, and have some experience in navigating the internet and have basic computing skills.

In order to better assist you with your technology competencies, please take the time to complete our online Computer Competency Survey. If and when accepted into the School of Nursing MSN Program you must have access to a computer and the internet in order to complete assignments online.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

New Mexico State University, School of Nursing has phased out the Master's degree program in the advanced nursing specialties of Psych/Mental Health Nursing, Adult Health and Public/Community Health. The Master's degree program in Nursing Administration will continue to be offered as currently designed.

In place of the other three Master's degree specialties, the School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the DNP degree will be the level of entry for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Practice-focused doctoral nursing programs prepare leaders for the highest level of practice and is the terminal practice degree.

The changing demands of today's complex health care environment, outlined in recent reports from the Institute of Medicine, require that nurses serving in specialty positions have the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise possible. Nurses are constantly working with individuals who have a high level of preparation in their respective fields - physicians, pharmacists, and other health providers. The effectiveness of nurses is directly related to the amount and type of education they receive, and recent research has established a clear link between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes. What distinguishes this definition of practice from others is that it includes both direct care provided to patients by individual clinicians as well as direct care policies, programs and protocols that are organized, monitored, and continuously improved upon by expert nurse clinicians.

The DNP should not be confused with the PhD in Nursing, also offered through the SON, which is a research-focused degree and aimed at those wishing to pursue an academic or research career.