Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2024-2025 Graduate Academic Catalog
Testing Requirements : Testing using ExamSoft with exam ID and monitor Professional Liability / Health Insurance Coverage : Required at the start of clinical courses Other : Assessment clinical lab on campus during NUR 570 class is required
Direct Entry- Master of Science in Nursing Program Name : Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing , ( DEMSN ) Degree : Master of Science in Nursing Program Accreditation : The baccalaureate degree in nursing / master ’ s degree in nursing / Doctor of Nursing Practice program and / or post-graduate APRN certificate program at Gwynedd Mercy University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( www . ccneacreditation . org ). CCNE ; 655 K Street NW , Suite 750 ; Washington , DC 20001 Program Type : Term Program Modality : In person , hybrid and online courses Program Coordinator : Catherine Razzi , DNP , ACNS
Description : The DEMSN is the foundation to prepare a student holding a previous non-nursing Bachelor ’ s degree for entry-level practice as a registered nurse . The scope of practice includes direct and indirect care to individuals , families , and communities . This degree differs from the Baccalaureate degree in that the program not only prepares students to sit for state licensure but also prepares students to sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader certification examination .
Academic Criteria for Admission , Progression and Retention : Applicants must have a bachelor ’ s degree in another field and earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 ( on a 4.0 scale ) based on the last 60 credit hours of college coursework , including graduate coursework , attempted , and accepted . Competitive candidates will have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher . A minimum GPA of 3.3 is required for all science courses . A grade of “ B ” or better is required in all prerequisite courses .
Required Prerequisite Courses : Note : All prerequisite courses must be completed within the last 7 years at the time of admission .
• Nutrition , taught by a Registered Dietician ( 3 credits )
• Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan ( 3 credits )
• Statistics or Biostatistics ( 3 credits )
• Microbiology with Lab ( 4 credits ) Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab ( 4 credits )
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab ( 4 credits )
• Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences with Lab ( 4 credits )
• Essay ( 750 words or less ) addressing their motivation to pursue the profession of nursing and why they have chosen the MSN option ; The applicant can also include information / evidence of their prior work or volunteer experience in healthcare and / or demonstrated team leadership .
• Interview in-person or virtually
• Two satisfactory letters of recommendation that can be from the following : an academic professional ; a health care provider with whom the student has worked or volunteered with ; a current supervisor .
Once the student is accepted no courses may be taken outside of Gwynedd Mercy University . Curriculum Sequence , see DEMSN Program Guidebook
108