RN to MSN Online Programs

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/msn-programs/rn-to-msn/">RN to MSN</a>

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

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/msn-programs/rn-to-msn/">RN to MSN</a>

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

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. On the other hand, students with only a basic nursing education 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 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 for the MSN program is highly subjective and varies by student. In general, however, an accredited nursing program offers many nursing courses. It prepares students to become nurse educators, nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, 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.

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 and 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

Nursing Theory explores the foundational principles and conceptual frameworks that guide nursing practice. Exploring theoretical perspectives equips nurses with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline’s theoretical underpinnings, fostering critical thinking and applying theories in advanced nursing roles.

Health Promotion & Quality Improvement

This program focuses on advancing nursing knowledge in promoting health and enhancing healthcare quality. It explores strategies for preventive care, health education, and quality enhancement, preparing nurses for leadership roles in improving patient outcomes and overall healthcare delivery.

Nursing Informatics

This program program explores the intersection of nursing science, information technology, and healthcare. It equips nurses with the skills to manage and utilize health data, informatics principles, and technology to enhance patient care, healthcare delivery, and decision-making in evolving healthcare systems.

Nursing Research

This program focuses on developing research skills and critical analysis within the nursing field. Students explore evidence-based practices, research methodologies, and application of findings, empowering them to contribute to advancing nursing knowledge and improving patient outcomes through informed and evidence-driven practices.

Students can expect to gain the following skills and learning outcomes upon completing this program:

• Advanced Clinical Expertise: Enhanced proficiency in providing specialized and advanced nursing care.
• Leadership and Management: Skills to lead healthcare teams, manage resources, and influence organizational change.
• Critical Thinking: Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities for complex healthcare scenarios.
• Health Promotion: Strategies for fostering wellness and preventive care within diverse populations.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Proficiency in integrating research findings into nursing practice.
• Collaboration and Communication: Enhanced interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Education and Training: Ability to educate and mentor other healthcare professionals and contribute to nursing education.

Online RN to MSN Programs: No Clinicals?

For most online MSN degree programs, clinicals will be required. One caveat concerns an RN to MSN program in that it grants a bachelor’s degree – BSN and 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. Sometimes, the student can meet clinical requirements at the same medical facility where they work.

Specializations in Online RN to MSN Programs

For most nurses, getting an MSN degree increases 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 advanced practice nursing roles within a clinical setting, nursing administration, or nursing leadership positions, with the required clinical hours. 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:

Nurse-Midwifery	Family Nurse Practitioner	Nurse Education	Nurse Leadership
This specialization prepares students to serve as nurse midwives – advanced practice registered nurses who work exclusively with female patients. Specifically, they provide female reproductive and prenatal care, including delivering babies and giving wellness education. Upon completion, graduates will be ready to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board national exam.	The demand for primary care is steady. Many patients have begun seeing nurse practitioners and similar medical professionals for their first-level primary care needs. Family nurse practitioners focus on treating patients, sometimes specializing in certain populations (such as children or adults). They receive the training necessary to prepare them on technical, emotional, and social levels.	Nurses interested in teaching will want to consider the nursing education concentration. As practicing nurses with an RN license, enrolled grad students already know the information that future nurses need to succeed. However, the nurse education concentration teaches these nurses the skills to convey that knowledge to future nurses in an effective manner. Graduates will be prepared to teach students at all levels as nurse educators.	Under this specialization, master’s students will hone the management skills necessary to serve in nursing leadership roles within a healthcare organization. The curriculum of the nursing leadership concentration includes topics such as finance, policy, and informatics, which gives nurses the foundational knowledge to make informed decisions while working in nursing administration or nursing leadership roles.

Graduation Timeline

The graduation timeline for online RN to MSN programs is flexible, with completion times contingent on individual course loads. Typically spanning 2 to 4 years, the program’s duration is influenced by specific requirements, such as clinical hours and specialization choices. Full-time study generally completes the degree in two years, while part-time study may extend to four years, accommodating diverse schedules and career commitments.

Shortest Online RN to MSN Programs

Undoubtedly, there is a massive demand for Nurses in the U.S. This demand also invites competition. A student learning an MSN  wants to advance their career into administration, leadership, and technology roles. An MSN-accredited program can certainly accelerate this upward mobility. However, nurses with only an RN license but not an associate or bachelor’s degree (BSN) can enroll in many RN to MSN online programs. 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 quickly. Here is a list of the shortest RN to MSN online programs:

• William Patterson University¹ 
• Chamberlain University²
• The University of Texas at Arlington³

Free courses can benefit nursing students by offering additional knowledge, skill enhancement, and flexibility. These resources enable learners to fill gaps in their understanding, stay updated with industry trends, and customize their education, contributing to a well-rounded and adaptable skill set in the evolving nursing field.

Here are a few free courses nursing students can explore:

Course	Diploma in Nursing Leadership and Care Management7
Provided by	Alison
Description	This free online nursing course provides an overview of critical elements in the daily role of a nursing leader. Upon completion, participants acquire the skills and approaches nurse leaders use to enhance healthcare delivery and significantly enhance care management skills.

Course	Nursing and the Elderly8
Provided by	Alison
Description	This free online nursing course provides details and methods of caring for the elderly and assisting seniors in overcoming the challenges of aging. This course outlines interactions and caregiving for older adults, emphasizing the positive aspects of aging and stressing the importance of building strong relationships with seniors. It further examines common challenges faced by seniors, including severe mental health issues and their root causes.

Course	Diploma in Nursing Leadership and Care Management9
Provided by	Alison
Description	This free course offers a comprehensive exploration of nurses’ evolving roles in healthcare. Covering nurse leadership, transcultural nursing, and the medical team’s vital roles in surgery, it explores leadership styles, factors affecting productivity, and effective teaching strategies for nurse educators.

As tuition costs rise yearly, students find funding for RN to MSN programs challenging. Exploring financial aid through federal assistance, scholarships, grants, and employer support can help alleviate the financial burden. Strategic planning and awareness of available resources are essential for successfully covering the expenses of advanced nursing education. Nursing students can tap into many ways to fund their education. Here are a few to explore:

Scholarships for nursing students offer crucial financial support, reducing the burden of tuition costs. Merit or need-based, these awards make advanced nursing education more accessible. Students must actively research opportunities, ensuring they explore various scholarship landscapes and empowering them to pursue advanced nursing education without financial stress.

Scholarship	Description	Award/Amount	Deadline
AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship10	The A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program funding comes from various channels such as memorials, individual contributions, AISES fundraisers, and corporate grants. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of A.T. Anderson, a co-founder of AISES, and is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students studying any STEM-related degree, including nursing.	$2000	April, annually
Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship11	Cascade Healthcare Solutions presents the Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship to a prospective nurse enrolled in a nursing program or accepted into such a program at a college, university, or high school. The scholarship is granted through an annual essay contest featuring a unique topic each year.	$1000	Varies

Nurse practitioners who enroll in an online MSN program aim to acquire advanced skills for diverse health challenges, leadership roles, or teaching positions. Graduates often pursue academia, administration, or advanced nursing practice, enjoying higher pay and flexible hours. An MSN degree grants autonomy, allowing nurse practitioners to diagnose patients and prescribe medications independently, providing greater authority and responsibility in healthcare settings. Here are some career titles and salaries for graduates of online RN to MSN:

Occupation	Registered Nurses12
Median Annual Salary	$81,220
Job Growth (up to 2032)	6% (faster than average)
Job Description	Registered Nurses (RNs) deliver and organize patient care, educate individuals and the community on diverse health conditions, and offer guidance and emotional support to patients and their families.

Occupation	Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners13
Median Annual Salary	$125,900
Job Growth (up to 2032)	38% (much faster than average)
Job Description	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners collaborate in patient care, offering primary and specialized healthcare. Practice scopes differ by state, with the ability to prescribe medications, order tests, and diagnose health issues. They may deliver primary, preventive care and specialize in specific groups like children, pregnant women, or those with mental health disorders.

Occupation	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses14
Median Annual Salary	$54,620
Job Growth (up to 2032)	5% (Faster than average)
Job Description	Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) deliver fundamental medical care to patients who are ill, injured, convalescing, or have disabilities. The duties of LPNs and LVNs are nearly identical, with their title determined by the state in which they practice.

Occupation	Physician Assistants15
Median Annual Salary	$126,010
Job Growth (up to 2032)	27% (much faster than average)
Job Description	Physician assistants collaborate with physicians, surgeons, and healthcare teams, with the level of supervision varying by state regulations. They practice in diverse specialties, such as primary care, family medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry, with their duties contingent on their specialization or the medical setting they are employed in.

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.

• Family Nurse Practioner (FNP)¹⁶ – The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) validates advanced skills for registered nurses. FNPs, through this certification, offer comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families, emphasizing preventive care and enhancing nursing practice with increased autonomy and leadership opportunities.
• Emergency Nurse Practioner¹⁷ – The Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) certification by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) equips healthcare professionals with specialized skills in acute care and emergency settings. ENPs are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in urgent situations, ensuring prompt and effective emergency care focusing on comprehensive and specialized medical interventions.
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner¹⁸ – The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification by AANPCB empowers nurses with advanced skills to provide comprehensive healthcare for adult and older populations. This certification enhances nursing practice, providing in-depth care and managing diverse health needs in primary care settings.

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 happening in the Nursing world. This includes networking with other professionals, following various journals & organizations, attending conferences, etc., and preparing Nurses for upward career mobility. Here are a few organizations that will help Nursing careers:

• American Journal of Nursing – The American Journal of Nursing is the world’s oldest and most esteemed comprehensive nursing journal. As a peer-reviewed and evidence-based publication, it is the premier journal in the nursing profession. AJN upholds journalistic standards, mandating transparency regarding actual and potential conflicts of interest among authors, editors, and reviewers.
• American Nurse Today – American Nurse Journal, the official journal of the American Nurses Association (ANA), serves as a vital voice in the U.S. nursing community. The printed journal reaches 200,000+ dedicated nurses, and its website draws over two million visitors annually. Indexed in CINAHL, it is a widely used research resource globally.
• Evidence-based Nursing – Evidence-Based Nursing meticulously reviews global healthcare journals, applying strict research validity and relevance criteria to nursing practice. Selected content undergoes critical appraisal, with pertinent articles summarized in expert commentaries emphasizing key findings and implications for practice.
• Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments – The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments acknowledges the growing impact of environmental factors on global health. With the World Health Organization highlighting the potential to alleviate a substantial disease burden through improved environments, nurses, as trusted sources, are vital in conveying credible information and leading policy changes. Preparing nurses to navigate and influence environmental health is imperative for community well-being and sustainable practices.