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Academic Programs
Nursing Major: Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion, B.S.N.
If you are an RN with an associate degree in Nursing who wants to expand your options for graduate studies and job promotions, MSU Denver’s affordable bachelor of science in Nursing program with the Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option (BRNCO) is designed for you.
MSU Denver’s curriculum will challenge you academically and our Nursing professors, who embody the highest standards of practice, are invested in your success. They will mentor you, sharing their expertise in a range of specialties and clinical experiences such as mental health, obstetrics, pediatrics, hospice, long-term care and medical/surgical nursing.
You can complete the Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option program either as a full-time or part-time student, which allows you to work while earning your bachelor of Nursing degree.
Program Options
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option
This program is for students who have an earned an associate’s degree or completed a diploma nursing program.
MSU Denver also offers advanced Specialty Courses for experienced RNs.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Accelerated Nursing Option
This is a post-baccalaureate program for students who already have a bachelor’s and want to earn a bachelor of science degree in Nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Traditional Nursing Option
This program is targeted to students who are interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degrees.
MSU Denver also offers advanced Specialty Courses for experienced RNs.
Benefits of Earning Your Degree at MSU Denver
If necessary, you can complete the Nursing BRNCO curriculum online, and the required 180 hours of clinical experiences in the Community Health Nursing and Nursing Senior Experience courses can be done in your community so that you do not need to come to MSU Denver’s campus.
If you are pursuing an associate's degree in Nursing at any one of seven participating community colleges, MSU Denver’s Dual Enrollment Pathway program allows you to earn some credits toward a B.S.N. while still completing your prerequisites and associate’s Nursing courses.
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
Registered nurses in Colorado earned an annual mean salary of $77,460 in 2019 (Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook). Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
As a nurse, you’ll have many employment options beyond those offered in clinics, medical offices and hospitals including:
- Home health care agencies
- Rehabilitative services
- Ambulance services
- Drug abuse and addiction services
- Crisis intervention services
- Research centers
- Laboratories
- Colleges/universities
- Blood banks
- Public schools
- Social service agencies
- Nursing homes
As a B.S.N. graduate, you’ll also have numerous options for working in specialized care, such as cardiovascular health, maternity and oncology. Other options, some which may require a postgraduate degree, include:
- Educational programs administrator
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Public health nurse
- Nursing supervisor
- Physical therapist
- Anesthetist
- Dietician
- Transcultural nurse
Accolades
100 percent of BRNCO graduates who responded to a 2019 alumni survey reported being employed in the nursing field.
Faculty
Mary Alice Sawaya
Deborah Mathias
Learn more about MSU Denver Nursing faculty.
Featured Alumni
“I loved the RN-BSN program at MSUD. It was affordable and intuitive. I loved all of my professors, especially Mary Sawaya. Everyone at the nursing department was nice and helpful all the time. I am glad I picked MSUD.”
Bernadett Szilagyi (MSU Denver ’20)
“I get asked all the time if I have a B.S.N. Being able to say, ‘yes,’ has been beneficial in obtaining not only jobs, but respect among the nursing community. MSU Denver has a positive reputation among medical professionals, so my degree gives me the confidence to discuss my qualifications with anyone.”
Michelle Davidson (MSU Denver ’13) is a case manager at Professional Pediatric Home Care.
“Having my B.S.N. degree has benefitted me in many ways. Not only did it help me land a career in nursing, it has given me the ability to move toward more leadership opportunities, such as teaching. What sets MSU Denver apart is the compassionate instructors, clinicals and simulations. I highly recommend MSU Denver to other students!”
Marina Nguyen (MSU Denver ’12)
Alumni at Work
MSU Denver Nursing graduates are employed at most hospitals in the Denver area including Denver Health, Children’s, Centura Health, University Hospital, SCL Health and HealthOne. Nursing graduates work at Denver Public Schools, Western Oncology Hematology Associates, Radiology Imaging Associates and other employers.
Nursing graduates have been accepted for post-graduate study at Regis University, University of Denver, CU Anschutz, CU Denver, CU Colorado Springs and University of Phoenix, among other institutions.
Sample Classes
As a BRNCO student, you’ll be required to complete courses such as:
Facilities and Resources
For those studying on campus, MSU Denver is located adjacent to downtown Denver on the Auraria Campus, with convenient access to the city’s many health care facilities for your clinical nursing experiences.
Program Accreditation
The MSU Denver Nursing program is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.