LPN-BSN Pathway

Missouri Western State University (MWSU) provides an opportunity for LPNs who are admitted to the pre-licensure BSN program to receive course credit for previous learning.  Completion of MWSU’s general studies course requirements, nursing prerequisites, and BSN coursework is required prior to graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from MWSU.  Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and above) for degree completion.  Students must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper division coursework (300 level and above). All students admitted to the pre-licensure BSN program are subject to the policies described in the BSN student handbook.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Graduate of a Practical Nursing Program
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.7
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) score of 58.7% (academic preparedness category of proficient) or above. TEAS test taken within the past 3 years from date of application will be valid.  TEAS test may be taken a total of 2 times per calendar year (January 1-December 31).
• Current, unencumbered PN licensure in the US
• Completion of MWSU nursing prerequisite courses with grade of C or higher.

Application instructions can be found here.

Fall start – application deadline January 15^th

Spring start – application deadline August 15^th

LPN Preferred Admission

LPNs who meet the criteria may apply for preferred admission to the MWSU BSN program.

Criteria:

• Graduate of a Practical Nursing Program with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) score of 58.7% (academic preparedness category of proficient) or above.

Preferred Admission Application can be obtained here.

Fall start – application deadline January 15^th

Spring start – application deadline August 15^th

No more than 10 applicants will be offered preferred admission per cohort.  Candidates who are awarded preferred admission must

• complete remaining prerequisite coursework at MWSU
• maintain cumulative GPA of at least 3.2

If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.2 or a grade of D or F is earned in a prerequisite course, preferred admission status will be revoked and the candidate must apply for admission as described above.

LPN-BSN Curriculum

Upon acceptance to the BSN program, the LPN will enroll in Clinical Reasoning in Nursing during the semester prior to starting nursing coursework. Students enrolled in this course undergo an evaluation of knowledge and skills in order to determine course credit awarded toward the BSN degree from the LPN program. This evaluation may include exams (both faculty-developed and standardized testing), skills testing, and simulation. The candidate must pass the evaluations with at least 70% or as indicated below. Each evaluation may only be completed once. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirement will not receive course credit toward the BSN degree from the LPN program. Skill checklists, simulation objectives, and test blueprints with references will be provided to the candidate prior to the evaluation.

Nursing support courses/prerequisites (must be completed prior to starting nursing coursework):

• College math
• General biology (*may be eligible for waiver)
• College chemistry
• Anatomy and physiology with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Pathophysiology
• Medical Terminology (*may be eligible for waiver)
• Ethics
• General psychology
• Life-Span developmental psychology

BSN courses eligible for credit awarded:

* candidates who did not complete a didactic and clinical course in the specialty will be required to take the full MWSU course

** ATI minimum scores are based on the low score for proficiency level 1and are subject to change with norming changes to proficiency levels published by ATI.

Sample Program

* Plan may change depending on credit awarded from LPN program

**Courses are in-person unless otherwise stated.