Online Nursing (MSN) Bridge Pathways

Our online1 nursing bridge pathways are designed to promote a smooth transition into one of our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Tailored for nurses with an active RN license and a bachelor's degree in a health-related field, these pathways allow you to bypass the need for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and work toward your MSN. In your chosen bridge pathway, you can gain prerequisite knowledge, while covering topics related to your emphasis of choice to help you prepare for your MSN program.

Three GCU nursing students sitting at a table talking
Get More Information

 

Benefits of Continuing Education for Nursing

Aside from the potential benefits associated with pursuing advanced nursing education, choosing one of our bridge pathways to help you transition into advanced nursing studies has additional benefits. Our online1 bridge pathway options allow you to take nursing coursework from any location, providing busy nurses with convenience and helping create and maintain a balance between work, school and personal life.

Nurses looking to move into graduate programs can grow both academically and spiritually at GCU. We instill important aspects of a Christian worldview in our programs, emphasizing the necessity of ethical treatment, compassion and human flourishing.

All our master’s nursing bridge pathways require the completion of a practicum course, where you will apply your new knowledge and advanced skills through an evidence-based project.

GCU online nurse

GCU Offers a Variety of Emphases for Bridge MSN Pathways

At GCU, you have the opportunity to prepare to advance your nursing education by choosing a bridge pathway that caters to your specific interests and nursing career goals. We offer bridge pathways that can lead to entry into our MSN programs with emphases in:

  • Health care quality and patient safety
  • Health informatics
  • Nursing education
  • Nursing leadership in health care systems
  • Public health nursing
  • Acute care nurse practitioner
  • Family nurse practitioner
  • Nursing leadership in health care systems

Explore our various emphases options below to learn more about what you will be taught in your MSN emphasis program after completing your bridge courses.

This MSN is designed for nurses aiming to enhance their understanding of creating an effective and safe environment in the healthcare field. Through a comprehensive curriculum, you will cover topics such as quality improvement processes, data analysis, project management and change management strategies.

The nursing health informatics program teaches nurses advanced skills for effectively interpreting and utilizing healthcare data to enhance decision-making and promote evidence-based nursing practices. Coursework includes topics such as health informatics leadership, evidence evaluation, information systems and data analysis techniques.

This nursing education program can prepare registered nurses to become nurse educators. The curriculum covers topics such as pathophysiology, pharmacology and curriculum design, while also including clinical hours and a practicum capstone course to apply educational theories in a supervised setting.

This program focuses on developing skills for potential management roles in healthcare environments. It emphasizes the importance of the nurse-patient relationship and explores advocacy, ethical considerations and client-empowerment from various perspectives.

The program emphasizes addressing health issues globally, locally and within specialized populations. It is designed so aspiring public health nurses can bring awareness to current health concerns, create solutions and evaluate new treatments and policies to improve the health of their communities.

This program is for those looking for a nursing career focused on treating adult and geriatric patient populations. It offers coursework focusing on the specificities of caring for older populations, training you on how to provide effective, compassionate care for the elderly.

The family nurse practitioner MSN program focuses on preventive care, health promotion, diagnosis and management for individuals, families and communities with an emphasis on evidence-based practices and culturally intelligent patient care.

This dual degree program aims to teach BSN-experienced nurses business management and leadership skills. This program combines nursing expertise with new competencies in business and management, preparing graduates for potential leadership or entrepreneurial roles in the healthcare sector.

Two GCU nursing students standing on campus

RN to MSN Bridge Pathway Coursework

The curriculum for your bridge pathway combines the nursing foundations you need to gain from BSN-level studies and courses designed to prepare you for your emphasis of choice. Common course topics you will cover in your pathway include:

  • Nursing leadership
  • Health assessment
  • Nursing research
  • Healthcare statistics
  • Pathophysiology
  • Health promotion

GCU is an institutionally accredited university, proudly accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Our accreditation validates our commitment to offering quality programs and adheres to established academic standards.

For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.

To gain entry into any of our bridge pathways, you must first fulfill certain admission criteria. To learn more and determine your eligibility, review our admission requirements and fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled some commonly asked questions and answers about the different options that can help you bridge your nursing knowledge to enter into graduate nursing studies.

A nursing bridge pathway allows registered nurses with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to move into a related MSN program in a timely manner. This option includes necessary courses that help prepare learners for MSN studies, offering a fast track to advance from RN to an MSN-prepared nurse.

Taking the next step toward earning an MSN through a bridge pathway can offer numerous advantages for nursing professionals. Choosing an appropriate MSN bridge pathway with an emphasis relevant to you allows for convenient education in a desired specialization. These pathways require self-motivation, dedication and commitment to completing the coursework, and are designed for nurses with an active current RN license and a bachelor's degree in a health-related field. Nurses who have a BSN are eligible for direct entry into a MSN. To find out if this pathway is right for you, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

Nursing Student Resources

As a student in a College of Nursing and Health Care Professions' bridge pathway, you have access to numerous specialized resources to assist you as you pursue an advanced nursing education. Discover our online resources and find out why our nursing college is the perfect place for your studies.

1 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.

Bridge Your Nursing Experience to the Graduate Level