Saginaw Valley State University

Nursing Programs Offered

BSN Programs
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Master's degree
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Post-master's certificate
Nursing Administration - Master's degree
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs
RN to MSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

The registered nurse student is one who has graduated from a state approved school of nursing and holds a current license to practice in the state of Michigan.

To complete the degree requirements, an RN student must earn a minimum of 24 credits from nursing courses (NURS); 124 credits are required for graduation, of which 31 must be from SVSU. The 124 credits include: the 24 NURS credits, 31 credits awarded based on articulation criteria, prerequisite credits, transfer credits, Basic Skills credits, General Education credits, and elective credits.

Admission Process for RN Students

Admission to the Department of Nursing for RN students ordinarily occurs during the semester in which they are completing NURS 300.

Minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the program include:

-Michigan RN license.
-Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
-An approved plan of study, which includes student’s goals and individualized plan for program completion.
-Transfer credits are considered in this process.

RN to BSN students may enroll in NURS 300 prior to approval of the plan of study.

BSN Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program admits up to 128 students per year; and students can expect to complete the degree in 4 to 4 1/2 years because each student admitted to the program completes the nursing courses in a "cohort" group. Generally, students take 1 1/2 to 2 years to complete general education and prenursing classes and then 3 years of nursing courses.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program consists of:

1) SVSU Basic Skills Requirements
2) General Education Requirements (see recommendations in Prenursing courses below)
3) Prenursing Courses (completed or in progress during application process)
4) Nursing Major (taken upon admission to the Nursing Program) -- curriculum.
Course Sequence for Basic Nursing Students

Full-time students have the option to take their Nursing courses in a "cohort" group. The sequence of courses is listed below. Part-time students, or those who elect to pursue their major outside of this sequence will determine a plan with their advisor.

MSN Program Details

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares registered professional nurses for leadership roles in advanced nursing practice. The core courses focus on concepts and processes related to nursing science, organizational change, leadership and research.

Role specialization occurs in one of two concentrations, which include opportunities for application of learning in practice. The research and organizational change processes studied in core courses are actualized at the end of the program as student complete a scholarly project reflecting individual interests and goals.

Two concentration options are available:

The Health System Nurse Specialist concentration prepares nurses for a variety of leadership positions in nursing. Role options include the Clinical Nurse Leader, administrator, educator or dual administator/educator. Most of these roles are enacted in health systems to promote and support quality care, with educators working in both clinical and academic settings. This concentration prepares nurse leaders to work with teams and transform systems in clinical and academic settings, as well as in the communities served by those organizations.

The Advanced Clinical Practice concentration prepares nurses to be Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP).These individuals meet the health care needs of the family by providing health assessments, direct care and guidance, teaching, or counseling. The FNP typically works collaboratively with family primary care physicians and other professionals within the healthcare system. The FNP may care for families within the school, home, workplace or hospital setting.

The Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing program provides the opportunity to be admitted to the Master of Science in Nursing program without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. (Some Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses required.)

RN to MSN Program Details

Many registered nurses choose to progress more directly and rapidly to an advanced nursing practice role. The Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) provides the opportunity to be admitted to the MSN program without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Program Characteristics:

-Registered Nurses enrolled in the RN to MSN program will have 31 SVSU credits granted for their prior nursing preparation/course work. In addition, RN to MSN students may by-pass up to 18 credits out of a total of 124 university requirements in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
-Many nursing courses are delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a blend of on-campus and online/technology-based courses that can be completed in a part time or full time schedule.
-Clinical experiences in practicum courses are individualized and build on previous learning and experience.