Nursing

Chair: Rose Knapp, Department of Nursing

Pre-Licensure BSN Program for Non-Nurses

Admission Requirements (For Freshmen Only)

  • Satisfying Monmouth's admission criteria for the University and for the BSN program. Writing an essay that expresses an interest in, and commitment to, the nursing profession.
  • Demonstrating a strong background in the sciences.
  • Exposure to a healthcare setting or related experience is encouraged.

Progression Requirements

Once selected for the program, students will be required to meet certain benchmarks, including:

  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
  • Achieving a minimum standard grade of C+ or better in the following prerequisite courses:
    CE-109Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry4
    BY-111Anatomy and Physiology I4
    BY-112Anatomy and Physiology II4
    BY-107Microbiology in Health and Disease4
  • Maintaining a standard grade of “C+” or better in nursing clinical didactic courses:
    NU-201Foundations of Nursing Practice I6
    NU-202Nursing II6
    NU-206Introduction to Pharmacology for Nurses3
    NUPD-203Nursing III - Pediatrics3
    NUOB-203Nursing III - Obstetrics3
    NU-415Community Health Nursing Laboratory3
    NU-450Nursing for the Future3
  • A BSN Pre-Licensure student must repeat any of the required courses for failure to achieve the minimum grade of "C+". If the student receives a second grade below "C+"  that student will not be permitted to continue in the Pre-Licensure BSN program.
  • After acceptance, and prior to starting classes, a student must submit to the School of Nursing and Health Studies a certificate of good health from a primary care practitioner, including a complete health history and physical exam. Before beginning clinical laboratory experiences, students will be expected to have a physical examination, with associated laboratory studies, immunizations, and criminal background checks, in accordance with the special requirements of affiliation contracts with clinical agencies and submit a copy of a liability and malpractice policy. Students with criminal backgrounds may not proceed in the nursing program.
  • All students are expected to maintain membership in the Student Nurse Association ANA/N.J.S.N.A. The faculty of the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University reserve the right to dismiss a student from the program regardless of cumulative grade point average if, in the opinion of the faculty, the student fails to meet acceptable professional standards of behavior.

Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing

Students are required to complete the Undergraduate Nursing Certificate (UNC) before applying for the RN to MSN Direct Program. The UNC contains ten undergraduate nursing courses.

RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed for graduate nurses from associate degree and/or diploma schools of nursing. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Because this program is designed for the working RN, whenever possible classes are scheduled to meet in one three-hour block of time, one day per week. All courses except the senior-level laboratory class are offered on campus, hybrid, or online.  Students can therefore complete the entire BSN program in the evenings with the exception of the senior-level laboratory course that will require attendance one day/week for one semester. Many nursing courses have an online component. Students may attend on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Every applicant must submit transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended. Each one will be individually evaluated. The University accepts all previously earned college course credits, with grades of “C” or higher, regardless of when they were earned, provided that they fulfill requirements of the program. If a course already completed is not required, it may be accepted as a free elective or, if applicable, as a guided elective. Students whose science courses were taken in diploma schools of nursing for which they received no college credit may choose to take either Excelsior or CLEP exams (CLEP exams must be taken before admission to Monmouth University), as appropriate, to gain the college credit for their knowledge or they may choose to repeat the course.

Once accepted, all students will be individually advised by a faculty member from the School of Nursing and Health Studies.

Requirements for Admission to the RN to BSN Program

  • Applicants for admission must have graduated from an approved associate degree or diploma school of nursing.
  • Be a graduate nurse who has taken or is eligible to take the NCLEX Examination.
  • Submit a copy of a liability and malpractice policy with minimum limits of $1,000,000–$3,000,000 and have achieved a grade point average of at least 2.00 in lower-division work.
  • After acceptance, and prior to starting classes, a student must submit to the School of Nursing and Health Studies a certificate of good health from a primary care practitioner, including a complete health history and physical exam. Before beginning clinical laboratory experiences, students will be expected to have a physical examination, with associated laboratory studies, immunizations, and criminal background checks, in accordance with the special requirements of affiliation contracts with clinical agencies.
  • All students are expected to maintain membership in the Student Nurse Association ANA/N.J.S.N.A. The faculty of the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University reserve the right to dismiss a student from the program regardless of cumulative grade point average if, in the opinion of the faculty, the student fails to meet acceptable professional standards of behavior.

The University will follow its normal procedure with regard to the transfer of general education credit. University policy permits credits to be brought to Monmouth by transcript evaluation or by Excelsior or CLEP tests. Monmouth University Credit by Examination is also available. The University will accept thirty transfer credits for nursing courses completed in an associate degree or diploma program upon completion of BSN courses.    

Specific general education courses required in the program do not have to be completed before acceptance. Those that have been successfully completed at accredited institutions will be transferred, and the rest may be completed at Monmouth University concurrently with the upper-division nursing courses.

Of Special Interest to Nursing Students

College-Level Examination (CLEP) Monmouth University Course Equivalent Credits
General Psychology PY-103 3.0
Human Growth and Development PY-203 3.0
Introductory Sociology SO-101 3.0
Western Civilization HS-101 – HS-102 3.0

For General Exams: See the Admission section of this catalog. **Please note that CLEP test results will not be accepted after admission to Monmouth University.

Local testing center: Brookdale Community College, 732-224-2583 or 732-224-2229.

Certificate in Gerontology

The fifteen-credit undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology is an interdisciplinary program coordinated by Professor Janet Mahoney. The program includes designated courses in Anthropology, Nursing and Health Studies, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificates at Monmouth University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).