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RN to MSN Online
A Registered Nurse (RN) is a highly trained and skilled professional who works within a variety of healthcare settings. Many RN license holders wish to take the next step in their professional nursing practice, whether for going into nursing leadership or nursing administration or moving up into advanced nursing roles. Yet these career moves usually require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. To meet the high demand for this nursing degree option, many schools have RN to MSN online programs. It is important to note that these programs are also known as RN to MSN bridge programs, and they are designed to accommodate students who are RNs, but who have an associate degree and want to get into an MSN degree directly without a BSN degree in the middle.
The RN to MSN program teaches students a variety of topics ranging from community health principles and population health to healthcare quality improvement, patient care coordination, advanced health assessment, evaluation strategies, and more. Graduates can also use their acquired leadership skills to become nurse leaders.
This guide dives deep into the types of RN to MSN online programs and what students can expect from them.
Featured Online Programs
Top Online RN to MSN Programs
Every student would like to attend the top online RN to MSN program possible. So how does a collegiate nursing education student choose the one that is “top”? There are some obvious or tangible factors, such as a program’s reputation and school recognition. An accredited program adds heft and value to a degree and makes it easier to obtain financial aid. Other aspects to look at include certification exam passage rates, graduation rates, and types of online learning programs available. Some online programs have an evidence-based asynchronous online delivery system that allows nursing students to attend class anywhere but at a set time. This limits the level of flexibility nursing students have in the program. OMC has taken into account all these factors and created the below list of top RN to MSN online programs:
Link to this Page| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Simmons University 300 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 | $21,654 | 81% |
| #2 The University of Alabama 739 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 | $10,780 | 71% |
| #3 University of Cincinnati 2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 | $12,790 | 71% |
| #4 Capella University 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 | $14,767 | NA |
| #5 Ball State University 2000 University Ave, Muncie, Indiana 47306 | $8,850 | 67% |
| #6 Western Carolina University Highway 107, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 | $4,435 | 62% |
| #7 University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 | $7,793 | 61% |
| #8 South Dakota State University 1015 Campanile Avenue, Brookings, South Dakota 57007 | $8,083 | 56% |
| #9 University of North Alabama One Harrison Plaza, Florence, Alabama 35632 | $6,660 | 49% |
| #10 Ferris State University 1201 S State St, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307 | $7,608 | 47% |
| #11 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601 | $3,582 | 43% |
| #12 Clarkson College 101 S 42nd St, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 | $11,178 | 38% |
| #13 Lamar University 4400 MLK Blvd, Beaumont, Texas 77705 | $6,324 | 34% |
| #14 South University 709 Mall Blvd, Savannah, Georgia 31406 | $15,600 | 10% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Cheapest Online RN to MSN Programs
Prospective MSN students generally look for the most affordable RN to MSN online programs, when looking for good collegiate nursing education. For some students, this will be the single most important factor when choosing RN to MSN nursing programs. But before jumping at the cheapest option out there, it is important to consider one big factor that affects a school’s tuition rate. That is, it is important to confirm what a master’s in nursing student is giving up by choosing a school with lower tuition. While in some cases they are giving up nothing, in others, higher tuition may equate to more student services, thus making it easier to obtain academic assistance from the professor, or technical assistance from the school. Another crucial factor nursing students must always consider is whether or not the online nursing degree is an accredited program. OMC has considered all such factors that go into selecting the most affordable RN to MSN online programs, and drawn up a list of them:
Link to this Page| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601 | $3,582 | 43% |
| #2 Western Carolina University Highway 107, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 | $4,435 | 62% |
| #3 Lamar University 4400 MLK Blvd, Beaumont, Texas 77705 | $6,324 | 34% |
| #4 University of North Alabama One Harrison Plaza, Florence, Alabama 35632 | $6,660 | 49% |
| #5 Ferris State University 1201 S State St, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307 | $7,608 | 47% |
| #6 University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 | $7,793 | 61% |
| #7 South Dakota State University 1015 Campanile Avenue, Brookings, South Dakota 57007 | $8,083 | 56% |
| #8 Ball State University 2000 University Ave, Muncie, Indiana 47306 | $8,850 | 67% |
| #9 The University of Alabama 739 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 | $10,780 | 71% |
| #10 Clarkson College 101 S 42nd St, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 | $11,178 | 38% |
| #11 University of Cincinnati 2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 | $12,790 | 71% |
| #12 Capella University 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 | $14,767 | NA |
| #13 South University 709 Mall Blvd, Savannah, Georgia 31406 | $15,600 | 10% |
| #14 Simmons University 300 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 | $21,654 | 81% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Understanding Online RN to MSN Programs
A typical MSN student will, in all likelihood, already have an RN license and either be a nurse practitioner or a family nurse practitioner, with some clinical nursing experience, who wants to open up professional prospects. These prospects might be obtaining greater pay by taking on roles such as nursing leadership, nursing administration, or becoming a nurse educator or clinical nurse specialist. Students who have only a basic nursing education, on the other hand, can opt for the family nursing practitioner track, focus more on health promotion or nursing research, or look at niche areas of population health, evidence-based practice, etc. Whatever be a student’s professional goals, there are many ways to reach them through online nursing programs such as the MSN program.
In other words, choosing the right RN to MSN program is highly subjective and varies by student. In general, however, an accredited nursing program offers a wide range of nursing courses and prepares students to become a nurse educator, a nurse leader, a nurse practitioner, a family nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, and more. Overall, there are three primary characteristics one should bear in mind when choosing a nursing program – the cost to complete, time to graduate (including mandatory clinical hours, if any), and the overall quality of the program.
Specializations in Online RN to MSN Programs
For most nurses, the whole point of getting an MSN degree is to increase their skills and knowledge. Therefore, most online MSN programs offer an array of concentrations or specializations for nursing education students to choose from. Most of them train students for either advanced practice nursing roles within a clinical setting, or nursing administration, or nursing leadership positions, with the required clinical hours put in. For instance, the family nurse practitioner track will prepare a student to become a qualified and trained family nurse practitioner. Other specializations can prepare a student to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, clinical nurse specialist, etc. Here are some of the most popular specializations and concentrations in collegiate nursing education:
Curriculum of Online Collegiate Nursing Education & Skills Gained
The scope and reach of collegiate nursing education are wide. A good nursing program will generally offer all the basic nursing courses, along with those associated with clinical practice, nursing research, professional nursing practice, and more. Here are a few topics and courses usually found in a nursing program:
- Nursing Theory
- Health Promotion & Quality Improvement
- Nursing Informatics
- Evidence-Based Practice & Clinical Practice
- Nursing Research
- Global Health & Population Health
- Advanced Health Assessment & Patient Care
Collegiate nursing education prepares working healthcare professionals and RN license holders for a variety of roles and settings in the domain of nursing and health care. For example, aspiring family nurse practitioners will know how to handle the various health problems within a family, across age groups and genders, nurse educators will have the skills to impart nursing education to others, and nursing administration students will be able to take on diverse roles in nursing administration, leadership, and management, as skilled and trained advanced healthcare professionals. Those who have graduated to take up a role as a clinical nurse or nurse practitioner will – have the ability to take up an evidence-based practice, put in fewer clinical hours, have sharper health assessment skills, and bring about better patient outcomes.
Accreditation for Collegiate Nursing Education
As with a bachelor’s degree, RN nursing education or a nursing program at the graduate level need to be recognized and endorsed by a competent authority, for quality. Accreditation is a seal of quality that declares a nursing education program to meet and maintain high standards. Nursing students, and in particular family nurse practitioner students, will do well to look for an MSN program that is accredited, thereby ensuring a high-quality nursing education and easier access to financial aid.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is the primary accrediting authority for online nursing programs. Alternatively, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) may accredit some programs. Prospective nursing educators should check for programs that are accredited by one of these organizations or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Accreditation Guide has further information on accreditation.
Online RN to MSN Programs: No Clinicals?
For most online MSN degree programs, clinicals will be required. One caveat has to do with an RN to MSN program, in that it grants a bachelor’s degree – BSN, in addition to an MSN. In these types of programs, the clinicals are only required as a part of the MSN portion of the curriculum. When clinical hours are required, many programs will allow master’s in nursing students to complete them at medical facilities close to home or work. This can be done by making arrangements with program administrators ahead of time. In some cases, the student can meet clinical requirements at the same medical facility where they work.
Shortest Online RN to MSN Programs
There is no doubt that there is a huge demand for Nurses in the U.S. This demand also invites competition. A student learning an MSN typically wants to advance his/her career into administration, leadership, and technology roles. This upward mobility can certainly be accelerated by an MSN accredited program. However, for nurses who may have only an RN license but not an associate or bachelor’s degree (BSN), there are plenty of RN to MSN online programs they can enroll in. But time is also of the essence for nurse practitioners as taking the route of RN to BSN to MSN, and putting in some clinical hours, might take a long time. Fortunately, there are fast track and accelerated RN to MSN online programs that will let nursing professionals finish an MSN degree in a short amount of time. Here is a list of the shortest RN to MSN online programs:
George Washington University
Chamberlain University
Drexel University
There is plenty of other short RN to MSN online programs. Here are a few more:
- American Sentinel University: less than 3 years
- DePaul University: 2-4 years
- La Roche University: little over 2 years
- Olivet Nazarene University: 2-3 years
- Regis University – little over 2 years
- Quinnipiac University – 2 years
(Note: In certain cases, the duration of nursing education can come down if a student has transfer credits, and the school accepts them.)
Online RN to MSN FNP
Many registered nurses want to grow in careers by getting an MSN degree, bypassing the BSN route. The programs that facilitate these direct admissions are called the RN to MSN bridge programs. However, RNs might already have a specialization in or may want to pursue an MSN degree with Family Nursing Practice (FNP). These programs are called RN to MSN FNP. Given the significance of family nursing practice and the demand for this field, this is a good move for nurses. Here are some universities that offer online RN to MSN FNP:
Certifications & Licensing for RN to MSN Graduates
Collegiate nursing education, or for that matter any nursing program, is only a stepping stone to a lucrative career. Certifications and licensure are required in most settings, and most states, for advanced practice, registered nurses. While the RN license is necessary for a nurse practitioner, graduates will be required to take the certified nurse educator exam, to work as a nurse educator. Similarly, a family nurse practitioner will also require a license to practice, depending on state regulations. Nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses must normally keep a certification, RN license, or other licensing active, by taking a specified number of continuing education courses each year.
Career & Salary Outlook for RN to MSN Program Online Graduates
When a nurse practitioner decides to enroll in an online MSN program, they probably want to develop more advanced skills to take on health challenges of diverse populations, or to move into a leadership role, or to become nurse educators. Therefore, most graduates of an MSN program will move on to academia, administration, advanced nursing practice, or technical roles (such as nursing informatics). Compared to the typically registered nurse practitioner, many of these positions pay higher wages and provide the flexibility of more reasonable working hours. Of course, the more nursing experience, the higher the pay.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average median wage for a registered nurse practitioner is $70,000. However, here is a comparison of this with a typical MSN prepared professional:
- Nurse Practitioner: $103,880
- Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers (Nurse Educator): $71,260
- Nurse-Midwives: $100,590
- Medical and Health Service Managers: $98,350
The lowest median salary goes to postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers, but it is important to remember the other benefits that come with the higher degree. One should keep in mind that in a university setting, a nurse educator does not have to work year-round, given how most schools are out of session during the winter and summer breaks. Additionally, the schedule is far more flexible and accommodating, because a nurse educator, for the most part, does not have to be on call, work holidays, or take over additional shifts for coworkers.
But it is not just higher pay or a less stressful workday that drives nurses to earn an MSN degree. In many states, an advanced practice registered nurse can work without the supervision of a physician and may have a greater ability to treat patients in healthcare organizations. For example, they will have the authority to diagnose patients and prescribe medications; registered nurses usually do not have these responsibilities.
Resources for RN to MSN Online Students
Getting an RN to MSN Online degree is the right step for Nurses. However, there are other things that Nurses have to do to keep in touch with the changes that are happening in the Nursing world. This includes networking with other professionals, following various journals & organizations, attending conferences, etc. All of this will get the Nurses ready for upward mobility in their careers. Here are a few organizations that will help Nursing careers.
- American Journal of Nursing
- American Nurse Today
- Evidence-based Nursing
- Nurse Economics
- The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
When looking through the wide variety of options available, finding the right program might feel somewhat like looking for a needle in a haystack. That’s one of the reasons that doing intensive research into the options is so important. Check out the following pages for additional details on master’s in nursing online programs:
- Earning an Online MSN Degree
- Online BSN to MSN Programs
