FAQs for the Department of Nursing
Do you offer an LPN Nursing Program?
No, GSU is an upper division institution. LPN programs can be found at community colleges.
Do you have a Bridge Program?
No, we do not offer a program that allows LPN’s to bridge and become RN’s.
How long does it take to complete the RN to BSN or MSN program?
That all depends upon the student. The RN to BSN program can be completed in four semesters if the students have met all the prerequisites and take no less than 12 credit hours a semester. On the other hand, they can complete it in about 2-1/2 years if they have completed all the prerequisites and only attend part-time. They must realize that if they have prerequisites to complete that it will take longer. The MSN program — if all prerequisites are met and if two courses per semester are taken at a time — can be finished in seven semesters or just over two years. It is not laid out where they can take more than two courses at a time.
What are the requirements to enter into the RN to BSN or MSN program?
BSN – AAS in Nursing or Diploma School Graduate (Applicants who have graduated from a diploma program may earn 32 lower-division nursing credits by taking the Excelsior College examinations. The examinations must be passed at the level of a grade of "C" or better); RN License; Basic Computer; Statistics; Human Growth & Development or Life-Span; Humanities Elective; Fine Arts Elective; Multicultural Elective; General Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; Anatomy & Physiology; Microbiology; General Sociology; General Psychology; Writing Intensive Elective; English 101; English 102; and Speech.
MSN - BSN from an accredited nursing program; current RN License; Nursing Research; Statistics; Nursing Health Assessment; have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in all undergraduate courses and a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a grade of "C" or better in all upper-division nursing courses. Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirements or who have graduated from non-graded baccalaureate programs will be conditionally admitted. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for the first nine hours of work completed. If a 3.0 GPA is not maintained, the student must petition the Department of Nursing for continued enrollment; the student must also submit the biographical sketch and a statement of personal goals (Form is obtainable on the "How to Apply" page for pursuing a graduate degree or post-graduate certificate in nursing). Finally,any applicants whose credentials are from countries other than the United States must have their credentials evaluated and submitted through NursingCAS. We recommend contacting the Office Of Admission for a listing of accepted evaluation agencies.
What or how many classes are offered online?
At this moment, the RN to BSN courses are offered online. The MSN program is only offered on-campus, but the courses are web-enhanced.
If I already have a BA in another field, which of my classes will be accepted in your RN to BSN program?
None; that is referred to as “double dipping." You cannot use courses that you have already used for one degree for another. The student would also need to have an Associates in Applied Science in Nursing with a current Illinois RN License in order to get into our BSN program. Since the BSN consists of thirteen nursing courses; 3 credit hours of humanities; 3 credit hours of fine arts; and 2 credit hours of free elective there is primarily nothing that they could since if they used their humanities; fine arts or free elective to meet their other degree they would have take another course in those categories to meet our requirements. Now if they started on a second bachelors and did not complete it; they could transfer over courses if they meet our requirements (i.e. if they started a BSN somewhere else they would be expected to provide syllabus for evaluation to see if any of the courses are equivalent to ours and we would be able to accept a humanities; fine arts and free elective). In addition, they must complete no less than 24 credit hours at GSU.
Where is Governors State University located and traveling directions?
Directions to Governors State University
What is the cost of Nursing Department’s BSN/MSN tuition?
You may estimate tuition and fees using the University's Tuition Estimator.
Tuition Estimator
