Mercy College

What you'll study

The RN to BS programme builds on prior clinical experience and foundational nursing coursework to broaden leadership, evidence-based practice, community health, and professional development. The curriculum typically combines core nursing upper-division modules with general education and elective credits to meet baccalaureate standards.

• Community and Public Health Nursing: population health, health promotion, disease prevention, epidemiology and assessment of community needs.
• Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: in-depth review of disease processes, pharmacotherapeutics and implications for nursing care.
• Evidence-Based Practice and Research: critical appraisal of research, quality improvement methods and application of evidence to clinical decision-making.
• Leadership and Management in Nursing: organisational behaviour, team leadership, healthcare systems, finance basics and change management.
• Health Policy, Ethics and Legal Issues: healthcare policy, regulatory environment, ethical decision-making and advocacy.
• Healthcare Informatics and Technology: electronic health records, data management, informatics tools to support safe practice.
• Capstone or Practicum: practice-focused project or leadership practicum that integrates learning across courses; may be completed in the student’s workplace.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to be licensed registered nurses and to hold an accredited diploma or associate degree in nursing. Typical entry requirements include:

• Current, unencumbered RN licence in the jurisdiction of practice.
• Official transcripts showing an accredited nursing qualification and completion of general education prerequisites (writing, statistics or similar courses may be required).
• A minimum cumulative GPA from prior college coursework; the exact threshold is determined by the admissions office.
• Submit a completed application and any institutional forms; some applicants may be asked for a brief statement of purpose or an academic/professional reference.

Mercy College recognises professional experience; many students progress directly from active clinical practice. Non-native English speakers may need to demonstrate proficiency where required by institutional policy.

Career prospects

A BS in Nursing expands opportunities beyond bedside care into roles that emphasise leadership, systems thinking and population health. Common career directions for graduates include:

• Clinical leadership and charge nurse or unit manager positions within hospitals and community settings.
• Case management, care coordination and discharge planning roles in acute and community care.
• Public health nursing and community outreach positions with health departments and non-profit organisations.
• Nursing education roles in healthcare organisations or entry-level teaching positions; the BS is a step toward graduate study for academic careers.
• Healthcare informatics, quality improvement, patient safety and roles in clinical policy or administration.

Why study at Mercy College

Mercy College offers a programme tailored for working RNs with flexible delivery formats, including fully online and hybrid options, to accommodate shift work and family commitments. The college emphasises practical, applied learning that connects classroom theory to current clinical practice, often allowing the capstone or practicum to be completed in the student’s place of employment.

Students benefit from experienced nursing faculty with clinical backgrounds, supportive academic advising focused on degree completion, and pathways to graduate nursing study. The programme’s focus on leadership, community health and evidence-based practice prepares RNs to take on expanded responsibilities and to contribute to improvements in patient care and health systems.