PATRICIA MARSHALL, M.S.N., R.N., CCRN, Undergraduate Program Director
SUSAN CALVANO, M.S.N., R.N., Advisor
The Villa Maria School of Nursing, in agreement with the Pennsylvania Nursing Articulation
Model, believes that a common core of knowledge exists between accredited basic nursing
programs and should be recognized without the requirements of special testing. The goal of
the Pennsylvania Nursing Articulation Model is to provide an appropriate path of articulation
between RN and BSN programs, which eliminates duplication of content. Villa Maria School
of Nursing has created an option including the use of transfer credits, articulation credits,
challenge exams and validation by portfolio which all aid in eliminating duplication of
content. Transfer credits are awarded in accordance with the University guidelines and
policies. Villa Maria School of Nursing provides articulation credits for basic nursing
knowledge gained from an accredited RN program. Up to thirty-two (32) credits of nursing
are granted, during the final semester of study, for articulation credit.
Nursing knowledge gained through professional experience, which demonstrates attainment
of professional nursing course outcomes may be validated through portfolio. Students
admitted to the RN to BSN Option may choose to create a portfolio for qualifying professional
nursing courses. The process for creation of and validation of course outcomes by portfolio is
presented, practiced and refined in the Transition to Professional Nursing course (NURS 203).
The student, who believes that specific required courses would involve repetitive learning,
may have an opportunity to challenge the course by examination. Students may also earn
credits through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students must receive
academic advisement regarding course credits approved for challenge examinations and
CLEP exams from their advisor.
NLN Achievement testing may demonstrate a student's knowledge in specific subjects, such
as nutrition.
NLN Achievement testing may be required for students who have not graduated from an
accredited nursing program.
All RN to BSN Option students must earn 128 credits to graduate with the BSN. All RN to
BSN option students must complete 30 institutional credits. Credits earned by portfolio,
CLEP, challenge or NLN achievement tests are NOT qualified as institutional credits.
Registered Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) may qualify to obtain the BSN
through the next-step program.
Next-Step Program
BSN Option for Graduates of Two Year Colleges (ADN)
I. Acceptance of up to 64 credits from the accredited ADN program, which includes a
maximum of 32 nursing articulation credits.
II. The student must take 18 credits of the Core of Discovery after completion of the
Associate of Science in Nursing degree.
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
3 Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121 or Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131 or Philosophy II Series/LPHI
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
3 Theo/Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
3 Capstone Seminar/NURS 404*
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*NURS 404 as the approved Liberal Studies capstone course for the nursing major. If
achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a scheduled seminar to fulfill the
LBST 383 requirements.
III. Completion or transfer equivalent of 25 credits of nursing pre-requisites:
8 Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II/ BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118
4 Physiologic Chemistry and lab/CHEM 105 and 108
4 Microbiology/BIOL 106 & 107
3 Human Growth and Development/PSYC 222
3 Nutrition/DIET 202
3 Statistics/PSYC 211 or SOCI 351 or MATH 213
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IV. Nursing Credits required:
5 Transition to Professional Nursing/NURS 203 (required)
3 Nursing Research/NURS 308 (required)
3 Nurse Power Politics/*NURS 404 (validation by Portfolio available)
5 Promoting Healthy Communities/NURS 414 (validation by Portfolio available)
3 Management and Leadership in Nursing/NURS 408 (validation by Portfolio available)
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*If achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a scheduled seminar to fulfill the
LBST 383 requirements.
V. Elective Credits:
14 Free electives
9 Nursing electives
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The student must earn 128 credits to complete the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree.
The RN to BSN student will have a total of 60 credits in nursing through the combination of
articulation credits and those nursing courses taken at Gannon in pursuit of the BSN.
Registered Nurses with a hospital diploma in nursing may qualify to obtain the BSN
through the completion of the following courses.
I. Acceptance of a maximum of 32 nursing articulation credits from the accredited RN
diploma program.
II. The student must take 39 credits in the Core of Discovery.
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
English:
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 Critical Analysis and Comp/LENG 112
3 English Literature Series/LENG
Theology:
3 Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
Philosophy:
3 Introduction to Philosophy I/LPHI 131
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
Ethics:
3 Theo/Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
Social Science:
3 Intro Psychology/PSYC 111
3 Basic Sociology/SOCI 110
Fine Arts:
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
Liberal Studies:
3 Hist of West & World/LHST 111
3 Capstone Seminar/NURS 404 (LBST 383)*
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*NURS 404 fulfills LBST 383 requirements. If NURS 404 is achieved through portfolio, the
student must attend a scheduled seminar to fulfill the LBST 383 requirements.
III. Completion of 25 credits of nursing pre-requisites:
8 Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II/BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118
4 Physiologic Chemistry and lab/CHEM 105 and 108
4 Microbiology/BIOL 106 & 107
3 Human Growth and Development/PSYC 222
3 Nutrition/DIET 202
3 Statistics/PSYC 211 or SOCI 351 or MATH 213
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IV. Nursing Credits required:
5 Transition to Professional Nursing/NURS 203 (required)
4 Nursing Research/NURS 308 (required)
3 Nurse Power Politics/*NURS 404 (validation by Portfolio available)
5 Promoting Healthy Communities/ NURS 414 (validation by Portfolio available)
3 Management and Leadership in Nursing/ NURS 408 (validation by Portfolio available)
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*If achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a scheduled seminar to fulfill the
LBST 383 requirements.
V. Elective Credits:
10 Free electives
9 Nursing electives
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The student must earn 128 credits to complete the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree.
The RN to BSN student will have a total of 60 credits in nursing through a combination of
articulation credits and those nursing courses taken at Gannon in pursuit of the BSN.
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