Top 20 Schools with RN to MSN Programs in 2019

Here you’ll discover top RN to MSN programs for diploma-holders, ADN or ASN graduates, and students with a non-nursing BA or BS. You can choose from online programs, hybrid programs, and 100% on-campus opportunities. There are public schools with great in-state tuition rates and private universities with superb clinical experiences. We even have a giant advice section devoted to helping you get the most out of your money.

RN to MSN Program Rankings

1. Vanderbilt University

ASN to MSN Program for RNs

Want a hybrid NP program with an instantly recognizable reputation? Hoping to combine online study with intensive, on-the-ground training from experienced and supportive nursing professors? The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) has your name all over it.

VUSN degrees have a reputation among nursing students as being challenging, cutting-edge, and worth the tuition (keep in mind that Vanderbilt is a private university). Programs focus on hands-on teaching and challenging clinical practicums. First-time NP exam pass rates are outstanding and employment stats are super-solid. No wonder it’s our #1!

MSN Specialty Options

Year after year, U.S. News & World Report ranks many of Vanderbilt’s NP specialties in the top 10, top 5, and even top 3 programs in the country. All of these specialties are open to RN students in the ASN to MSN program; a number of them will train you for dual certification.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Dual Focus

• Emergency Nurse Practitioner – Dual Focus FNP/AGACNP
• Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner – Dual Focus
• Women’s Health/AGPCNP – Dual Focus

Note: ASN to MSN students can also consider the MSN/Master of Divinity (MDiv) or the additional Graduate Certificate in Global Health.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

Vanderbilt’s ASN to MSN Program accepts candidates with an ASN or a diploma in Nursing. To apply, you must:

• Have graduated from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school.
• Have completed 78 hours of prerequisite undergraduate coursework in science, humanities, nutrition, and statistics.
• Submit a statement of purpose.
• Provide proof of an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Supply 3 letters of professional reference from faculty members, professional colleagues, or work supervisors.
• Respond to Vanderbilt’s application questions—you’ll be judged on your thoughts and your writing style.

Got your eye on the Neonatal NP specialty? Your recommendations must include letters from an NNP and a neonatologist that have already worked with you in a clinical setting.

RN Requirements

You must also:

• Hold an unencumbered RN license.
• Be eligible to practice in the state where you will be completing your clinical practicums and/or preceptorship.

Check your NP specialty to see if there are additional RN experience requirements. For example:

• NNP applicants are expected to have at least 2 years of relevant, full-time neonatology experience in a Level III nursery.
• Emergency NP candidates must have at least 2 years of current RN experience, including 1 full year as an RN in the Emergency Department, as well as current TNCC, ACLS, and PALS certifications.
• AC PNP applicants should have 2 years of nursing experience in acute, inpatient pediatrics or 1 year in a pediatric critical care or ED setting.

But there are no such requirements for a variety of other specialties (e.g. FNP, Nurse Midwifery, etc.).

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Full-time ASN to MSN students can finish the entire program in 2 years if they’re willing to study during summer semesters. Part-time students are going to be looking at 4-5 years.

• Bridge Coursework: This will take 1 year (2 semesters) if you choose to study full-time and 2 years (4 semesters) if you wish to study part-time.
• MSN: A full-time plan of study for most MSN specialties will take 1 year (3 semesters) to complete; midwifery and dual focus programs stretch into 2 years. Part-time students should allow for at least 2 years on the MSN (6 semesters).

Coursework is delivered in a “block format” that combines concentrated campus visits with online classes.

Bridge Coursework

The ASN to MSN program begins with an RN PreSpecialty year. It’s a preparatory curriculum that consists of 9 courses (26 credits). In a full-time schedule:

• The fall semester will cover topics such as epidemiology & population-based nursing, healthcare systems, and health & illness across the lifespan.
• The spring semester will delve into subjects such as ethics, health assessment, pharmacology, and community care.

You’ll be expected to visit the Tennessee campus during concentrated blocks of study, which include weekends, but you’ll be able to attend online courses & conferences during the rest of the time.

MSN Curriculum

Once you’ve completed the PreSpecialty coursework, you can devote your attention to your chosen NP specialty (~40-42 credits). The curricula vary widely, so we recommend you take a look at the individual program sections to inspect the coursework, schedules, and clinical placement info.

Most of VUSN’s advanced practice specialty MSNs are delivered through the same block format that you’ll have experienced in the PreRequisite Year. The exceptions to this rule are:

• Nurse Midwifery
• Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner

These two specialties are delivered in a hybrid format. Semesters will often start with several days a week on campus and finish up with clinical practicums.

Vanderbilt has spent a lot of time customizing the NP specialties to make them relevant to the workplace. Coursework often includes clinical simulations and faculty are active practitioners in their areas. In some specialties (e.g. AGACNP), you can even choose to focus on a particular area of interest (e.g. Hospitalist or Intensivist).

• Practicums can be completed in your home area as long as a suitable agency and preceptor are available.
• Clinical placements may not be available in some locations due to State Board of Nursing and State Higher Education requirements.

More Reasons to Love the Program

You’re in the heart of the action! Vanderbilt has an incredibly strong network of medical partners:

• VUSN is right next door to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), with its world-class clinical facilities.
• It has developed its own special faculty practice network of primary care centers and nurse midwifery clinics. This gives faculty and MSN students a chance to put their learning into immediate practice.
• To strengthen its military nursing training, it has a close relationship with the co-located Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and formal partnerships with the Military Healthcare System at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and the Air Force Academy.
• Interdisciplinary research projects with VUMC are supported and encouraged. Faculty research feeds into the NP curricula, making the coursework more relevant than ever.

We’re also pleased to report that Vanderbilt has full and partial tuition MSN student scholarships that are open to new and returning (i.e. second year) full-time students. Most of these awards are based on merit and financial need. And it offers tuition assistance to VUMC employees and Vanderbilt faculty & staff (and their families).

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

RN to MSN Program

Aspiring NPs and CNOs, take note—UNC’s School of Nursing, known as Carolina Nursing, is a powerhouse in healthcare. It has an excellent global reputation, great research credentials (check out the Biobehavioral Laboratory and the work being done in chronic care), and a history of community outreach & faculty practice.

It’s also a public university, which is fantastic news for RN to MSN students who live in North Carolina and qualify for reduced tuition. This is a 100% on-campus program with a lot of research and clinical work, so be ready to hit the ground running.

MSN Specialty Options

UNC’s core strengths lie in primary care, leadership, and education. We particularly like the emphasis it places on integrated care. Here are your options as an RN:

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Leadership & Education

• Health Care Systems (HCS)
  • Administration
  • Informatics
  • Outcomes Management
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Nursing Education

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

UNC’s RN to MSN Program accepts candidates with an associate’s degree or a diploma in nursing. Admission priority is given to applicants who can commit to full-time study. To apply, you must:

• Have completed 51 college-level credits—including specific pre-nursing courses—prior to enrolling in the master’s program.
• Have earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in those 51 course credits.
• Supply 3 letters of recommendation from professional & academic contacts. One letter must be from your current and immediate supervisor.
• Submit a professional statement and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé.

International applicants with English as a second language will also have to sit through an interview.

RN Requirements

All candidates are required to:

• Hold an unencumbered RN license. Proof provided by the Board of Nursing website of your state (e.g. screenshot) is acceptable.
• Have completed at least one year of RN clinical experience before the application deadline.

Note: Because of the way courses are structured, RN-MSN applicants are only admitted for fall term matriculation.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Generally speaking, full-time RN to MSN students will be able to graduate in 3 years. However, the length of the program will depend on your choice of specialty.

Bridge coursework (12 credits) is standard across the board, but MSNs that involve clinical practicums (e.g. NP specialties) and on-the-ground training (e.g. Nursing Education) tend to involve more time than leadership & administrative options. For example:

• The HCS Clinical Nurse Leader MSN is only 35 credits.
• The PMHNP MSN is 50 credits, which includes credits for clinical hours.

Have a look at the “Suggested Plan of Study” under each specialty—the plan breaks out the MSN into semesters so you can view everything at a glance.

Bridge Coursework

You’ll have to tackle 3 undergraduate nursing courses (12 credits) before you can be enrolled in a master’s level clinical course, but you can take bridge credits in conjunction with MSN research courses. The bridge courses are:

• Improving Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• Conceptual Bases of Professional Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• Community Health Nursing for the Public’s Health (6 credits)

You’ll notice that the community health nursing course is twice as long as the other courses. This is part of UNC’s effort to emphasize on-the-ground care.

MSN Curriculum

MSN curricula are listed under each specialty. NP options have a core of standard courses (e.g. health assessment) blended with high-level nursing subjects (e.g. clinical interventions, managing complex conditions, etc.) in your chosen field. Interprofessional training and clinical simulations are emphasized. A couple of things to note:

• The AGACNP program includes a specific focus in oncology, which only requires an additional 4 credits of coursework above the regular MSN. This option will prepare you for the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner exam from the ONCC.
• If you have a particular area of interest (e.g. vulnerable populations, global health disparities, etc.), you can customize your NP specialty through your choice of clinical placements, electives, and master’s thesis.

In contrast, specialties in the HCS program are quite varied:

• Nursing Education Specialty: This MSN has a rigorous mix of nursing & education subjects, including specific courses in clinical teaching, principles of teaching applied to nursing, and innovations in teaching.
• Clinical Nurse Leader Specialty: This MSN is a blend of traditional coursework (e.g. pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, etc.) with leadership subjects, including a 6-credit course on the CNL role.
• Administrative, Informatics & Outcomes Management Specialties: These MSNs incorporate relevant coursework in leadership, finance, healthcare policy, HR, and informatics.

All NP and HCS programs include a mandatory master’s thesis or paper.

Note: The MSN curriculum is receiving changes in 2020.

More Reasons to Love the Program

UNC goes the extra mile to help out with the bills. In addition to lower tuition rates for in-state students, Carolina Nursing offers all kinds of MSN scholarships, including:

• Merit-based scholarships for new and continuing students.
• Foundation scholarships
• Alumni Association scholarships
• Research funds for the master’s thesis (e.g. the Linda Waring Matthews Award supports graduate student research in oncology).
• Well Care Home Health Leadership Scholars Program for nurses who are interested in home health care and choose a specialty in the HCS program.

Graduate nursing students can also apply for teaching or research assistantships.

But wait, there’s more! In addition to being adjacent to UNC Hospitals, Carolina Nursing runs its own mobile health clinic and partners with NC Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) to meet the primary health care needs of North Carolinians. All of these efforts add up to fascinating practicum sites.

3. Drexel University

Online RN to MSN Bridge Program

Flexible and streamlined, Drexel’s online program from the College of Nursing & Health Professions (CNHP) and Drexel Online is our pick for RNs who are looking to climb the career ladder. Here you’ll find leadership specialties that will turn you into an inventive manager and a much better educator. Just remember that this bridge program is only open to folks with a BSN-equivalent or a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

We think it will be especially attractive to active and former military. In addition to being 100% online, the RN to MSN program offers a hefty military tuition discount. There’s no cap on the number of veterans who may enroll through the Yellow Ribbon Program and Drexel is ready to assist with personalized support.

Note: If you’d like to earn a BSN along the way, you can consider the Dual Accelerated Online RN-BSN-MSN program instead.

MSN Specialty Options

Drexel has an intriguing array of Online RN to MSN specialties, especially in the fields of clinical leadership and healthcare innovation.

Clinical Leadership & Research

• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Clinical Trials Research

Leadership & Education

• Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice
• Leadership in Health Systems Management
• Nursing Education
• Quality, Safety, and Risk Management in Healthcare

Note: It’s important to note that students in the RN to MSN bridge program are not eligible to apply for Drexel’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) master’s degrees.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The Online RN to MSN is only open to RNs with a BSN-equivalent or a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. To apply, you must meet the application requirements for the eligible MSN program of your choice. In other words, you must:

• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a lower GPA can apply, but Drexel recommends that you highlight relevant professional experience on your résumé.
• Supply 2 letters of professional reference from your previous or immediate supervisors or former nursing faculty members (references are not accepted from colleagues).
• Submit a personal statement and a résumé that includes details of your responsibilities and job experiences.

RN Requirements

All candidates are required to:

• Hold a current, unrestricted RN license. License verification from the nursing license registry website is accepted as proof.

Specific clinical work and/or volunteer experience will always make your application more attractive, but no minimum RN experience is required.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Budget for 2-4 years of study. Instead of semesters, Drexel organizes its academic year into four 10-week quarters. In a typical plan of study, you would take 1-2 online courses per quarter (spring, summer, fall & winter). For example:

• If you take 2 courses per quarter, you can finish the bridge coursework + MSN in approximately 2 years.
• If you take 1 course per quarter, you can finish the bridge coursework + MSN in approximately 4 years.

Note: If you want to utilize student loans (FAFSA), you’ll need to maintain a minimum enrollment of 4.5 credits per term or two courses per quarter.

Bridge Coursework

There is only 1 bridge course—Genetics & Genomics: Application to Nursing Practice (3 credits). The 10-week course can be taken via distance learning in any given term, but it will involve online class meetings scheduled at specific times (i.e. synchronous learning).

MSN Curriculum

After you’ve successfully completed the bridge course, you can get stuck into your chosen MSN specialty (45-48 credits in total). Regardless of the title, all of the eligible online MSNs share a common core of 5 subjects (15 credits) in advanced nursing subjects (e.g. research methods & biostatistics). Then the curricula really start to diverge!

• Clinical Specialties: CNL and Clinical Research MSNs always include the 3 Ps (i.e. advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment) as well as track or concentration courses. The CNL option include a capstone immersion; the research option focuses on writing for publication.
• Education, Leadership & Safety Specialties: All of these MSNs include in-depth track courses and a final capstone project or relevant practicum. These course credits make up the majority of the degree.
• Innovation Specialty: In this unique MSN, you can customize your electives (12-15 credits) by choosing a pre-designed specialty (e.g. Health Informatics, Complementary & Integrative Therapies, Holistic Hospice & Palliative Care, etc.) or creating your own.

Courses are taken online and clinical practicums are scheduled in a variety of settings.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Drexel’s Online RN to MSN program is offered at a discount tuition rate—10% of the usual per credit price. Military members and members of certain partner organizations (including healthcare systems & hospitals) are eligible for even better rates (e.g. 25% off). Employer reimbursement tuition deferment plans and staggered payment plans are also available. As always, remember to factor in fees.

Distance learning can be challenging, so Drexel does its best to ensure you’re prepped for the ride. You can get a feel for the experience by viewing the nursing online open houses & webinars or registering for a test drive. Nursing coursework includes simulations, online labs, and 24/7 live tech support. And your CNHP professors can be consulted during remote office hours.

4. Boston College

RN to MS Program

Students call it an intense on-campus program with amazing professors and out-of-this-world training opportunities. U.S. News & World Report calls it the #1 master’s nursing program in Massachusetts and one of the top 25 programs in the country. It’s the RN to MS Program from BC’s Connell School of Nursing (CSON) and it’s an excellent choice for aspiring NPs.

One of its biggest pluses? It’s in “Medical City.” Boston is home to scores of major hospitals and healthcare systems, and CSON has tight relationships with 85+ clinical partners, including Boston Children’s, BMC, MGH, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The award-winning faculty are involved in community-based research studies, service-learning projects, and volunteer work. 61% of full-time CSON faculty are actively practicing.

MS Specialty Options

BC offers 5 NP specialties in its RN to MS Program. Each will prepare you for APRN state licensure and the relevant national certification exam.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN to MS Program is open to RN candidates with a diploma, an associate degree in nursing, an associate or bachelor’s degree in another field, or various course credits acquired over time. To apply, you must:

• Have completed ~112 undergraduate course credits: 42 in general education (GE), 70 in specialty knowledge that’s related to nursing, and a course in statistics. You’ll need to request a portfolio review to verify that this coursework has been completed.
• Have an undergraduate grade average of B or better (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale).
• Supply 2 letters of recommendation from a recent employer/supervisor and a professor/instructor who is able to assess your potential for graduate study.
• Submit a goal statement & a résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV).

BC specifically states that it is looking for leadership potential, motivation, interest in a clinical specialty, and an excellent academic record. In 2017, MS entrants had a 3.57 average undergraduate GPA.

Note: Candidates with a non-nursing BA or BS will have the general education (GE) requirements waived.

RN Requirements

All candidates are required to:

• Hold a current, unencumbered RN license.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Many RN to MS students at BC choose to study part-time, so the overall length of the on-campus program can vary quite a bit.

• Bridge Coursework: Around 1/2-1 year full-time.
• MSN Portion: Full-time students can finish the MS within 2 years; part-time students can complete it in 3 years.

BC allows RN to MS students up to 6 years to complete all the coursework. This includes any leaves of absence, but excludes military leave.

Bridge Coursework

BC has developed 4 transition courses (8-11 credits) for RN to MS students. You’ll need to complete these credits before you can enroll in MS courses.

• Community Nursing Theory (3 credits)
• Community Nursing Clinical (3 credits)
• Principles of Evidence Based Nursing (2 credits)
• Nursing Synthesis Clinical Lab (3 credits; waived for RNs with experience at the Dean’s discretion)

MS Curriculum

All of the NP specialties in the 45-credit MS share the same core coursework, including:

• Courses in ethical issues, research methods, the conceptual basis of advanced practice nursing, and the role of an APN.
• Standard NP foundations: advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment.
• 18 credits in your choice of advanced specialty. This includes both theory & practice (i.e. clinical practicums).
• At least 1 elective.

During your studies, you’ll be working in excellent facilities, including clinical learning & simulation labs. For your final 3 credits, you can opt for another elective, a research practicum, an integrative review of nursing research, or a course in advanced psychopharmacology.

More Reasons to Love the Program

First off, it gets results. Pass rates for APN exams are superb—100% in some cases. Secondly, it’s an ideal place to build your professional network (check out recent employers of graduates). World-class APRNs work in Boston, especially in the Longwood Medical Area, so you’ll have plenty of chances to talk to mentors about your career goals.

BC is a Jesuit university, which means it has an explicit mission to focus on the “promotion of social justice.” Community engagement is encouraged through international trips to Haiti and Nicaragua, which include opportunities to earn patient care hours for certification.

It’s also private, so try to offset tuition with CSON graduate fellowships. Graduate applicants are also welcome to inquire about full- and part-time teaching & research assistant positions and the Keys to Inclusive Leadership in Nursing (KILN) Program.

5. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Online RN to MSN Program

We’re calling it the “future-forward” option! Created by UPitt’s College of Nursing and run by PittOnline, this program is aimed at aspiring CNLs and informatics experts. It’s 100% online—no travel to campus is required. And it gives you the chance to earn a BSN in the process. You’ll get a thorough grounding in advanced undergraduate topics at the same time as you’re working toward the MSN.

UPitt is another heavyweight in our list. In addition to achieving outstanding rankings, the College of Nursing gets big thumbs up from its graduate students and talented alumni. They call the nursing programs intense, challenging, and fulfilling. Faculty are known to be smart and supportive and CNL certification exam pass rates are nice & strong.

MSN Specialty Options

UPitt’s Online RN to MSN Program is primarily targeted at working RNs who want to advance their careers. These specialties frequently receive top 5 and top 10 rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

Leadership

• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Nursing Informatics

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The Online RN to MSN Program is open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma from an ACEN-, ACICS-, or CCNE-accredited school. To apply, you must:

• Have completed all the necessary undergraduate prerequisite courses and taken a statistics course within the last 10 years with a grade of B- or higher.
• Have earned a 3.0 GPA or greater in your ADN or nursing diploma.
• Have competitive GRE scores.
• Supply 3 letters of recommendation from 1) director or faculty member of your academic program 2) a recent employer 3) someone who can speak to your professional work.
• Submit a résumé or CV.
• Craft a short essay that explains your philosophy of nursing, interest in the program, and future goals.

UPitt may ask for a telephone interview if you reside at a great distance (e.g. overseas).

RN Requirements

All candidates are required to:

• Hold a current RN license in the U.S. state, territory, or locale where you’re intending to complete clinical practicums.

In addition:

• CNL applicants are required to have at least 1 year of full-time RN experience before they begin their MSN clinical practicums.
• 1 year of RN experience is recommended (but not required) for Informatics candidates.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

UPitt states that the Online RN to MSN takes around 2-3 years (6-7 terms) to complete on a full-time basis. This includes the bridge coursework and the MSN portion of the program. For full-time students, the CNL is packed into 4 terms (4-5 courses per term); the Nursing Informatics MSN is typically a little more spread out—5 terms (1-4 courses per term).

Part-time study is available, but it will obviously take longer.

Bridge Coursework

Because this RN to MSN program is intended to help you earn a BSN along the way, bridge coursework is split into two tiers:

• BSN Courses: 28 credits in total. Subjects include nursing informatics, pharmacology & therapeutics, and ethics. Courses in community health nursing, advanced clinical problem-solving, and transition into professional nursing practice also include a clinical component.
• Graduate Bridge Courses: 24 credits in total. These credits count toward the first-year core courses of the MSN. Most subjects will sound familiar (e.g. pathophysiology, health promotion & disease prevention, etc.), but there are some intriguing additions (e.g. genetics & molecular therapeutics).

With this schedule, UPitt notes that you can earn the BSN while saving a year of coursework.

MSN Curriculum

Once you’ve finished the BSN and your first-year MSN core courses, you’ll be able to tackle the remaining portion of your master’s degree. In a conventional framework, the CNL MSN is 42 credits and the Informatics MSN is 37.5 credits. However, you’ll have completed a chunk of these credits during bridge coursework.

• CNL Specialty: The CNL curriculum is a concentrated bundle of advanced nursing and leadership subjects, including education & mentoring, finance concerns, informatics, and management theory. You’ll be required to complete 420 clinical practicum hours at healthcare facility near you. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the CNL certification exam from the CNC.
• Nursing Informatics Specialty: The Nursing Informatics curriculum tackles areas such as IT project management, database management, clinical information systems, and leadership training. You’ll be asked to fulfill 240 clinical practicum hours (minimum) at a healthcare facility near you. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Nursing Informatics certification exam from the ANCC and be prepped for theoretical components covered in CAHIMS and CPIHMS certifications.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, but scholarship funds are available for graduate students. UPitt also has a special Nurse Faculty Loan Program that’s open to full-time or part-time graduate students who are planning to take a full-time teaching position in a School of Nursing immediately following graduation.

Interested in incorporating cutting-edge research into your practicums? UPitt receives plenty of NIH funding, which is goes to grants and Nursing HUBs. If you’re fascinated by tech applications, you may want to check out the College’s HUB for Excellence in eHealth Research. The HUB is involved in harnessing novel technologies (e.g. mobile, sensors, etc.) to improve healthcare.

6. University of Rochester

RN to BS to MS Program

New Yorkers, this one’s for you! UR’s School of Nursing (SON) has developed a convenient hybrid RN-BS-MS Program that comes in all kinds of flavors, including NP specialties and nursing education. The SON is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), the largest healthcare system in the region, so programs focus on real-world training.

• Research, teaching & clinical practice are delivered through a unified model. UR works with almost 600 preceptors to develop MS practicums.
• You can also take advantage of the Clinical and Educational Resource Center (CERC), which has skills & simulation labs, an extensive media library, and nursing equipment available for loan.
• There’s a dedicated Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) for nurses who need academic and career assistance.

100% of graduate-level students are employed in the nursing field within a year of graduation.

MS Specialty Options

All of the following specialties are available to students in the RN-BS-MS pathway.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Dual Focus

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Education

• Nursing Education

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN-BS-MS Program is open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. To apply, you must:

• Have completed all the necessary arts & science prerequisites—a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred but not required.
• Have taken an undergraduate statistics course and earned a grade of C or above. (UR offers an online, self-paced statistics course which can be completed in a month.)
  
• Supply 2 letters of reference, including one from a master’s-prepared nurse and/or nursing supervisor.
• Submit a résumé or CV and a writing sample (e.g. academic paper, clinical document, or publication).
• Craft a professional goal statement.
• Hold CPR certification.

Standardized test scores (e.g. GRE) are not required, but you have the option to submit them.

RN Requirements

Applicants are expected to:

• Hold RN licensure within the U.S. or a U.S. territory.

There are extra experience requirements for certain NP specialties:

• AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, and FPMHNP: 1 year clinical experience is preferred.
• AGACNP: 1 year of full–time (or the equivalent) RN experience in acute care prior to clinical enrollment.
• PNP/NNP: 2 years of NICU experience in the last 5 years.

Note: UR will accept certain candidates who don’t have clinical experience—contact the Admissions Office to discuss your options.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

All up, you’re looking at 4-5 years for part-time study, but the actual length will depend on your course load and clinical practicum hours. As long as you’ve already met the undergraduate prerequisites (arts and science credit requirements):

• The BS portion of this program can be completed in as little as 16 months (4 semesters).
• MS specialties take ~3 years to finish on a part-time basis.

There are also some differences when it comes to delivery:

• Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: This MS is offered online, with short on-campus residences over 2-4 days (NY State residents only).
• Remaining NP Specialties & Nursing Education: Core courses are available in an online format, but you’ll be required to visit campus for occasional/weekly in-person class sessions. Classes are often held in the late afternoon to accommodate RNs.

Bridge Coursework

The RN to BS portion of this program consists of 32 nursing credits. These include traditional bridge courses, non-clinical courses, and nursing electives. You’ll find a full breakdown of the coursework on the RN to BS Academics and Curriculum page.

Like the MS, these are hybrid courses—most classes are conducted online, but you’ll be expected to come to campus once a month for in-person sessions.

MS Curriculum

Once you’ve earned your BS, you can launch into your choice of MSN specialty (45-55 credits). Specific curricula and clinical hours for NP specialties are listed on each program page. But they all share the same structure:

• Professional Core: You’ll find the usual suspects here (e.g. advanced physiology & pathophysiology, ethics, advanced pharmacology, and research). The core also includes a 1-credit writing workshop.
• Clinical Specialty Courses: These are a combo of practical courses, labs, and practicums. The pediatric & adult gerontology NP programs have fewer credits than the family NP options, which have to cover the entire lifespan of patients.
• Comprehensive Exam

As we mentioned, UR works with hundreds of preceptors in the Rochester region and across New York. It also maintains an updated map of its clinical sites. Those sites include major hospitals, community health centers, primary care offices, and psychiatry providers.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Although UR is a private university, there are superb scholarships and discounts for locals! For the RN to BS portion of the program:

• RNs who live or work in the 18-county Western NY region receive a 50% Finger Lakes Regional Scholarship.
• Associate or diploma-prepared nurses who work at a University of Rochester affiliate organization receive a 55% Affiliate Professional Development Grant.
• University of Rochester employees who are eligible for the School of Nursing (SON) Tuition Grant pay nothing at all!

MS tuition is the same per credit hour for everyone, but UR offers graduate scholarships & awards to master’s students. Many of the RN to BS awards (e.g. Finger Lakes) are also open to students who choose specific master’s specialties (e.g. psychiatry).

Interested in family practice? UR has teamed up with Highland Family Medicine to offer the Nurse Practitioner Residency Program. This 12-month, full-time paid residency is open to FNP graduates who’d like to advanced their primary care training and learn how to fulfill the needs of culturally diverse and clinically complex patients.

The icing on the cake? The School of Nursing is a repeat winner of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award and organizes diversity events & initiatives throughout the year.

7. George Mason University

RN to MSN Pathway

Aiming to be an NP in community health? Considering education or administration as a career path? Meet the GMU School of Nursing and its on-campus RN to MSN Pathway. Students rave about the School’s supportive & knowledgeable professors, diverse practicums, and varied teaching methods. We like the reduced tuition rates for in-state Virginia students (GMU is a public university).

It’s a great pick for folks interested in hands-on care of underserved populations. The College of Health & Human Services (CHHS) has 260+ practicum sites and runs its own nurse-managed Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics. Faculty are deeply involved in research-based practice, including work in public health, telehealth and informatics, vulnerable populations, and HIV & AIDS in Africa.

MSN Specialty Options

Students in the RN to MSN Pathway can choose from NP specialties, administration, or education. FNP & AGNP graduates are eligible for certification from the AANP or ANCC.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner

Leadership & Education

• Nurse Educator
• Nursing Administration

Note: The Nurse Educator MSN is also offered 75% online, but this distance learning option is only open to RNs who hold a BSN and wish to study part-time.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN to MSN Pathway is open to graduates of accredited nursing programs (GMU doesn’t specify whether this category includes diploma-holders, so you’ll have to check). To apply, you must:

• Have completed Mason core requirements (i.e. general education prerequisites) and an undergraduate statistics course.
• Have earned a 3.0 GPA in:
  • Mason core/general education courses at an accredited institution.
  • Nursing prerequisites (i.e. anatomy & physiology, microbiology, bioethics & statistics).
  • The nursing curriculum from your graduating institution.
• Supply 2 letters of recommendation.
• Submit a résumé and Expanded Goals Statement.
• Hold current CPR certification.

Applicants to NP specialties will need to have completed an undergraduate health assessment course. GRE scores may also be requested for those candidates.

Note: If you don’t have all the necessary prerequisites, GMU has an RN to BSN program that allows RNs to earn a BSN in as little as two full-time semesters.

RN Requirements

Candidates are expected to:

• Hold a current state-based/U.S. license as an RN.
• Be able to demonstrate substantial involvement in clinical practice in professional nursing within the past 2 years.

Applicants to the NP specialties should also have a minimum of 1 year of work experience as an RN.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Once you’ve fulfilled all the general education & nursing prerequisites (and you will have to get those credits!), the actual RN to MSN pathway doesn’t take that long. It’s only 1 bridge course plus your choice of MSN specialty.

NP specialties can be completed in 2 years of full-time study or 3 years of part-time study. Nurse Educator and Nursing Administration specialties have fewer credits, so they will often take a little less time.

Bridge Coursework

The sole bridge class is a 3-credit course called Community Health and Epidemiology. It addresses population-focused healthcare, with an emphasis on prevention of health problems.

MSN Curriculum

Curricula for GMU’s MSN programs are listed on the website. NP specialties are 49 credits in total; Nursing Administration is 39 credits; and Nurse Educator is 41 credits.

All of them share the same 15-credit core. The core includes 5 courses in theoretical & ethical foundations, informatics, research & biostatistics, and healthcare delivery systems. After that, each MSN concentrates on specialty coursework:

• NP Specialties: NP degrees include courses in the 3 Ps (pharmacotherapeutics, advanced physiology, etc), community-oriented primary care, and a health assessment practicum. 19 credits are devoted to your choice of concentration (e.g. AGNP) and clinical practicums. The clinical component is a minimum of 600 hours.
• Nursing Administration Specialty: You’ll be able to tackle coursework in administrative theories & strategies, financial management, and healthcare leadership. You’ll be required to complete 2 practicums and you can choose 2 electives (6 credits).
• Nurse Educator Specialty: Like the NP curricula, this includes 11 credits of coursework in the 3 Ps. However, you’ll also study perspectives in nursing education, principles of assessment & evaluation, and curriculum & program development. 2 teaching practicums and 1 elective are included.

NP training includes work in the School’s high-tech Simulation & Skills Labs, which is—in essence—a virtual hospital.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Lots of CHHS Scholarships are open to graduate nursing students! Be sure to check out the Rosemarie C. Brenkus Endowed Scholarship for working RNs and the Population Health Fellowship (PHF) Program. Full-time NP students may also apply for traineeships and teaching assistantships.

And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to forge professional connections while you’re studying. CHHS is a hub of student-run organizations (e.g. Graduate Students for Public Health) and the School of Nursing hosts regular talks, research presentations & information sessions throughout the year. The CHHS alumni network is also particularly strong.

8. University of Alabama at Birmingham

RN Mobility: RN to MSN Plan

Flexible scheduling for NP and leadership specialties. Online courses with engaging on-campus intensives. Excellent student reviews and significant clinical credentials. A top 10 ranking from U.S. News & World Report for the School of Nursing. These are just a few of the reasons to check out UAB’s hybrid RN to MSN Plan! But bear in mind that it’s only open to ADN graduates who also have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

• The School of Nursing is a hub for interdisciplinary research, an NLN Center of Excellence, and a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center with a track record in mobilizing the global nursing workforce.
• It operates 3 nurse-managed centers that provide specialized primary healthcare services (e.g. diabetes) and has an abiding commitment to the VA & veterans.
• UAB Health Systems is one of the largest academic health centers in the country and many nursing faculty actively practice at UAB Medicine.

To top it all off, although UAB is a public university, in-state residents and out-of-state residents are charged the same reasonable tuition rate (plus associated fees) for their distance coursework.

MSN Specialty Options

Almost every MSN specialty is open to you on the RN to MSN Plan! Even better, UAB frequently receives top 10 rankings for leadership programs (i.e. Health Systems Administration and CNL) and top 20 rankings for PNP PC and AGACNP programs from U.S. News & World Report.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Dual Focus

• Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Leadership

• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Nursing Health Systems Administration
• Nursing Informatics

Note: UAB’s subspecialties (e.g. Nurse Educator, Emergency NP, Oncology NP, etc.) are aimed at folks who already have an MSN or higher.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN Mobility: RN to MSN Plan is only open to RNs who have an ADN and a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. To apply, you must:

• Have completed prerequisite undergraduate coursework (e.g. anatomy, physiology, etc.) with a cumulative/overall GPA of 3.0 or more. You can request exemptions.
• Have taken a statistics course prior to your first semester courses. UAB offers an online statistics course for nursing students who need these credits.
• Have earned an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or more (GPA can be cumulative or the last 60 semester hours of your degree).
• Supply 3 letters of professional reference.
• Submit a GRE, GMAT, or MAT test score. You can waive this requirement if you have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
• Hold CPR certification.

RN Requirements

You should also:

• Hold an unencumbered RN license in the state where you plan to conduct your clinical practicums.
• Have a minimum of 1 year of clinical experience prior to starting MSN coursework.

NP specialty tracks may also have specific experience requirements. For example, before beginning clinical coursework, NNP applicants are expected to have at least 2 years of experience as an RN in a Level III NICU within the last 5 years. Check the fact sheet under each specialty for details.

Note: This path does not include a BSN—you’ll earn an MSN only. If you’re not accepted into the RN-MSN path, you’ll have the option to complete the RN-BSN instead.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

With the RN to MSN, you can opt for full-time (fall admittance) or part-time study (summer or fall admittance). Full-time study is defined as 9 credit hours per semester.

Overall, you’re looking at 2-4 years. The bridge coursework will take ~2 semesters to complete. When it comes to the MSN portion, the total number of credits, semesters needed, and a suggested program of study are listed in the fact sheet on each specialty track page.

• Shorter specialties like Health Systems Administration and CNL may only take 2 years (2-3 courses per semester, including the summer).
• NP specialties often take 2-3 years (2-3 courses per semester, including the summer). Informatics can also bleed into a 3rd year.

Many courses are available through distance learning. However, NP & CNL specialty tracks will require you to visit the campus for an orientation and multi-day intensives. Informatics and Health Systems Administration specialty tracks typically only require 1 on-campus orientation.

Bridge Coursework

Before you can sink your teeth into the MSN, you’ll need to take 3 bridge courses (11 credits in total):

• Transition to Professional Nursing Practice (4 credits)
• Community Health Nursing for RNs (4 credits)
• Leadership and Management for RNs (3 credits)

MSN Curriculum

After you’ve successfully completed the bridge coursework, you can begin your MSN. The fact sheet on each specialty track page contains a complete list of MSN courses and the order of study. Generally speaking:

• NP Specialties: These MSNs tend to be 44-45 credits, with 600 total hours of direct patient care. The exception is the dual Primary/Acute Care PNP specialty, which is 54 credits and 1020 total hours of direct patient care. Clinical practicums are designed on an individual basis; preceptors are APRNs, RNs, or physicians. Check the curricula for details.
• Health Administration Specialty: This is 36 credits, with 480 total hours of practicum experience. Coursework include studies in financial management, quality & patient safety, HR management, and nursing & health systems management. Practicums cover many of the same topics.
• Informatics Specialty: The program is 40 credits, with 210 total hours of direct patient care. Along with healthcare systems and quality & patient safety, you’ll take courses in databases, healthcare business intelligence, nursing informatics systems, and the like. The curriculum also includes a good deal of work on planning, evaluating, and management informatics projects.
• CNL Specialty: This MSN is 37 credits, with 540 total hours of clinical contact. Along with the 3 Ps (e.g. advanced pathophysiology) and classes in advanced nursing, you’ll be taking courses in financial management, systems in population-based care, and statistics. Practicums include a capstone.

During your studies, you’ll be welcome to take advantage of the School’s faculty & clinician resources and nursing network. Graduates of the MSN are eligible to take the relevant certification exam (e.g. PNP, NNP, CNL, etc.). The Health Systems Administration specialty meets the educational requirements for AONE and ANCC administrative certifications.

More Reasons to Love the Program

In addition to specific graduate scholarships, the School has a couple of superb fellowship & professional development programs for aspiring NPs:

• Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership in Graduate Education (VANAP-GE) & BVAMC Psychiatric NP Residency: PMHNP students who are interested in the psychiatric care of veterans will get to work with an experienced medical team at the BVAMC and be eligible to receive a stipend from the VA for clinical hours. You must be enrolled in the PMHNP program, live in the Birmingham area, and have a background in psychiatric nursing to apply.
• Graduate Nursing Education Primary Care Scholars (GNEPCS): This program is aimed at current NP students who’d like to provide primary care in one of Alabama’s rural-designated counties upon graduation (e.g. PNP, FNP, AGNP, etc.). Students in the GNEPCS program receive individual mentoring, rural health teaching & training, preceptorships with rural health providers, and opportunities for professional & leadership development.

If you’re considering a doctorate sometime in the future, be sure to check out the Jonas Nurse Scholar Program and The Future of Nursing Scholars Program.

9. University of Arizona

Online RN to MSN

UA’s “big picture” offering from the College of Nursing may be the most convenient nursing leadership program in the country! It’s 100% online—no campus visits are required—and classes are asynchronous (i.e. you don’t have to log in at a specific time). It takes just 2 years to finish and graduates find work in all kinds of management positions in nursing & healthcare.

Students like it, calling it challenging, fast-paced, and relevant. Online MSN faculty are known to be supportive and experienced, with an intriguing assortment of leadership qualifications. And, because it’s online, the affordable graduate tuition is the same per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state residents.

MSN Specialty Options

There’s only one specialty in the Online RN to MSN program.

Leadership

• Clinical Systems Leadership

Note: Residents of Tennessee, Washington D.C., and U.S. Territories are not eligible to apply for this program.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The Online RN to MSN is open to candidates with an ADN or ASN (or the equivalent degree) from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution (or the international equivalent). To apply, you must:

• Have earned a 3.0 GPA or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) for the last 30 credits of your associate program.
• Have completed a 3-credit, college-level statistics course in the last 5 years. UA offers an online statistics course that you can take to make up the credits.
• Submit a résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Fill out a Work Verification Worksheet.

RN Requirements

In addition, all applicants must:

• Hold a current RN license in the state where you now practice with no restriction, encumbrance, or probationary limitations.
• Have completed 2 full years of RN work experience within the last 5 years. This is defined as employment in a job that specifically requires an RN (e.g. clinical practice, nursing administration, education, research, etc.).

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

UA states that RNs with an ADN can finish the bridge coursework and earn an online master’s degree in 2 years (24 months). The entire ADN to MSN program is 42-44 credits.

The ADN to MSN track consists of 11 courses. Most students take 2 courses per term (fall, spring & summer) for a grand total of 6 courses per year. Classes are 7 weeks long, but the final capstone project lasts for an entire semester.

Bridge Coursework

ADN to MSN students are required to take 3 bridge courses that are dispersed throughout the program:

• Foundations of Systems Leadership (3 units)
• Population Health (4 units)
• Leadership for Patient-Centered Care (4 units)

MSN Curriculum

The MSN curriculum is designed to address a number of leadership challenges, from helming an interdisciplinary team to improving patient outcomes. You’ll take courses in:

• Evidence-based practice improvement
• Health promotion & risk reduction
• Healthcare environments & care coordination
• Healing environments & practices
• Quality & safety management

As well as business-related subjects such as:

• Health information & patient care technologies
• Healthcare business dynamics

The program ends with a semester-long, applied-learning capstone course. You’ll be asked to create a patient-centered care management plan with the guidance of a faculty mentor.

More Reasons to Love the Program

UA has been in the online game for a long time, so you can expect a fairly sophisticated distance learning experience. What’s more, nursing faculty are doing some fascinating research into data & systems science (e.g. machine learning), health determinants, and precision science (e.g. tailored interventions), which you may be able feed into your capstone project.

10. University of Maryland Baltimore

RN to MSN Program

With UMB’s hybrid RN to MSN program, you can a) earn your BSN along the way b) combine online and on-campus courses to suit your schedule c) get a qualification from a highly respected—and connected—public university! The UM School of Nursing (UMSON) has excellent rankings and a long track record in community health (ie. 50+ years of offering the master’s program). To highlight just a few of the school’s unique benefits:

• 200+ clinical learning sites and 600+ clinical preceptors & associates—Baltimore is awash with major hospitals and UMSON has a special relationship with the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
• Supportive professors who have ties with 50+ community & public health programs. Faculty are listed on each specialty page.
• 28 clinical simulation laboratories and 4 holistic health research centers (e.g. chronic pain, health outcomes, etc.).
• Unique Governor’s Wellmobiles, which provide primary healthcare to uninsured and underserved residents in Central Maryland.

The cherry on the top? UMB offers in-state tuition to Maryland residents. Military applicants and applicants to the Health Services Leadership & Management program who live in neighboring Academic Common Market (ACM) states can also be considered for in-state rates.

MSN Specialty Options

UMSON offers 3 master’s specialties to students in the RN to MSN program. Nursing Informatics often achieves the #1 ranking from U.S. News & World Report and the HSLM program is not far behind (e.g. top 5)!

Community Nursing

• Community/Public Health Nursing

Leadership

• Health Services Leadership & Management (HSLM)
• Nursing Informatics

Note: UMB also offers dual degree master’s options—MBA/MSN and MPH/MSN. The application requirements for these programs specifies that candidates should hold a BSN, but please check with the admissions officer to see if you can enter as RN to MSN candidate.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN to MSN program is open to RNs with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline or RNs without a bachelor’s degree (e.g. ADN) who can prove they have the appropriate background and interests. To apply, you must:

• Have completed the appropriate undergraduate prerequisites—UMB has an up-to-date course list on the RN to MSN website. Credits earned through AP, CLEP, or IB may be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements.
• Have earned an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and a science GPA of at least 3.0 (chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology).
• Supply 1 letter of recommendation from a recent professional source.
• Submit a résumé or CV.
• Write an essay that addresses your prior education & work experience and how you expect the degree will enhance your career goals.

Note: If you wish to claim in-state (Maryland) residency, you must submit a residency application.

RN Requirements

You must also:

• Hold a valid, unrestricted (current) RN license in the U.S.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

The entire experience is going to take ~3-4 years. The RN to MSN Program can be completed part-time or full-time and it’s usually a mix of online and on-campus courses (i.e. courses at UMSON in Baltimore or the Universities at Shady Grove).

To begin with, you’ll need to complete the BSN portion of the program. This will take 1 year (2 semesters). Then you can tackle the MSN:

• Community Health/Public Health & HSLM: These master’s degrees can be completed in 2 years if you study full-time (4 semesters; spring & fall) and 3 years if you study part-time (6-7 semesters) .
• Nursing Informatics: The MSN can be finished in 2 years if you study full-time (5 semesters; spring, fall & summer) and 3 years if you study part-time (7 semesters).

You can take fewer courses in part-time study, but you must complete the entire course of study (BSN portion + MSN) within 6 years.

Bridge Coursework

The BSN portion of the program consists of 9 courses (31 credits) spread out over 2 semesters:

• Semester 1: You’ll take 4 courses in the RN-BSN transition, nursing research & evidence-based care, pathophysiology, and an elective.
• Semester 2: You’ll take 5 courses, including health promotion, health informatics, public health nursing essentials, health systems & policy, and an elective.

2 courses in this BSN portion are applied to the “Master’s Core” of the MSN, which reduces the length & cost of the overall program!

MSN Curriculum

Curricula are listed on the RN to MSN Program website. All of the MSN degrees share the same Master’s Core, which consists of 4 courses in health promotion, health systems, application of science for evidence-based practice, and biostatistics. (You’ll have already taken 2 of these courses in the BSN portion.) Courses in the core are offered online. The rest of the MSN will be devoted to your chosen specialty.

• Community Health/Public Health Specialty: This MSN is 38 credits (total). With the Master’s Core included, you’ll take 5 online courses, 5 face-to-face courses, and 2 practicum courses (315 service-learning hours). Subjects include populations at risk, environmental health, epidemiological assessment strategies, and more. Practicums are specifically focused on program planning & evaluation and leadership.
• Health Services Leadership & Management (HSLM) Specialty: This MSN is also 38 credits (total), with 150 practicum hours. Along with the Master’s Core, you’ll take 5 courses in the “Leadership & Management Core” (e.g. managerial health finance, practicum, etc.) and 3 courses in a “Focus”—either Leadership & Management (which is all electives) or Education. HSLM specialty courses are offered online; electives may also be taken online, but some face-to-face options are available.
• Nursing Informatics Specialty: This MSN is 40 credits (total), with 135 practicum hours. In addition to the Master’s Core, you’ll study 8 courses in informatics + the 4-credit practicum. Subjects include IT project management, healthcare database systems, systems analysis & design, human factors & human-computer interaction, and more. You can also participate in online Nursing Informatics Certification Review Workshops to prepare for the ANCC’s Nurse Informatics certification.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Location, location, location! UMSON alumni rave about the proximity to local hospitals and valuable practicum experiences. If you’re interested in public health, you should also know that UMSON has a dedicated Office of Global Health, which organizes meetings, conferences, and international nursing opportunities.

Better yet, UMSON offers a number of scholarships, including the full tuition Conway Scholarship and a $10,000 Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows scholarship to returning Peace Corps participants who enroll in the MSN in Community Health/Public Health. Depending on your time constraints, you may also wish to consider applying for graduate teaching & research assistantships.

11. University of Virginia-Main Campus

Clinical Nurse Leader for RNs Program

UVA’s fast-track, part-time CNL program from the School of Nursing is ideal for RNs with a BA or BS in another subject. This on-campus offering takes 2 years from start to finish to complete and it’s stacked with practical courses. Graduates find well-paying jobs as outcomes managers, patient care coordinators, on-the-floor team leaders, and more.

We particularly like the School’s rock-solid reputation & rankings, its commitment to diversity and compassionate care, and its focus on interprofessional training:

• Through the Center for ASPIRE, CNL students have the opportunity to work with medical students, physicians, PTs & OTs, social workers, and more.
• Aspiring leaders can also take advantage of global opportunities, including experiences in Rwanda, South Africa, Guatemala, and Uganda through the UVA Center for Global Health.

MS Specialty Options

UVA only offers one MS option to RNs without a BSN, but it’s a good one—the CNL specialty is often in the top 3 of U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Leadership

• Clinical Nurse Leader

Note: UVA also has great NP programs for BSN graduates. If you like the look of them, you could consider UVA’s RN to BSN, followed by the master’s degree.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

UVA’s CNL for RNs Program is open to RNs with an ADN or nursing diploma from a regionally accredited school and a BA/BS degree in another discipline. (It’s also open to standard BSN holders.) To apply, you must:

• Have completed the necessary undergraduate prerequisites, including a college-level course in statistics within 5 years of the program start.
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Supply 3 academic & professional recommendations.
• Submit a résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV).

UVA may also request an interview with you. International applicants have additional admission requirements. In general, UVA loves to see CNL candidates who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater, superb writing skills, and experience in quality improvement projects.

RN Requirements

In addition, you’ll be expected to hold:

• An RN license in the U.S., with the ability to transfer that license to Virginia.

You must have an unencumbered RN license in Virginia before the first day of classes.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

The entire program takes 2 years to complete, with courses distributed over 6 semesters (summer, spring & fall). 2 semesters in the final year will include clinical hours. The CNL for RNs Program website contains a sample schedule broken out into semesters.

Bridge Coursework

ADN and diploma holders have to complete 2 extra courses (6 credits). The bridge coursework is mixed into the schedule, so you can take these credits alongside your MSN classes.

• Pathophysiology (4 credits): This will prepare you for advanced pathophysiology.
• Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Community Health (2 credits): This course includes 56 clinical practicum hours.

MSN Curriculum

In addition to the bridge coursework, you’ll take 31 credits in CNL courses for a grand total of 37 credits. The curriculum is a nice blend of:

• Science Courses: Subjects include advanced pathophysiology and epidemiology & world health.
• Advanced Nursing Courses: You’ll be studying care environment management, theory & evidence-based practice, and the role of the CNL in the healthcare system.
• Leadership & Policy Courses: This category includes courses in health policy, ethics, and culture & health.

The curriculum also includes a Leadership Seminar, where you’ll complete a microsystem analysis and develop your capstone, and a CNL role immersion/practicum (224 clinical hours). Practicums are offered at the UVA Medical Center and other healthcare settings in the Charlottesville area. Graduates are eligible to sit for the CNC’s CNL certification exam.

More Reasons to Love the Program

You’re almost guaranteed to enjoy the teaching. Student reviewers on independent sites never fail to mention the supportive staff and excellent faculty—one master’s candidate said the School had some of the best nursing educators she had ever encountered.

Do you live in VA? The School offers reduced tuition to Virginia residents in the CNL for RNs Program—including fees, tuition is around 60% of what out-of-state students pay. In addition:

• The School awards $1.2 million+ in tuition & stipend support to graduate nursing students, including institutional scholarships & merit awards.
• Virginia residents in the CNL program (new CNL students only) are eligible for the generous Conway Scholars Program!

We recommend you check with your employer (e.g. hospital system) to see if the UVA program is eligible for tuition benefits.

12. Texas Woman’s University

RN-MS Program | Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS Program

TWU’s School of Nursing has all the bases covered! Whether you have an associate’s degree, a diploma, or a BA/BS in another discipline, you are eligible to apply. Not only that, but you’ll have a choice of NP, management, and education specialties. A lot of coursework can be taken online and the RN-MS will help you earn a BS in nursing along the way.

TWU is quirky in another way. It has 3 different centers & campuses, all with unique strengths:

• Dallas Center: The T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences is strategically located in the Southwestern Medical District, close to 4 hospitals and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. PNP and WHNP students work out of this center.
• Houston Center: Houston’s TWU Institute of Health Sciences is housed in the Texas Medical Center (TMC), along with 54 medicine-related institutions, thousands of patients, and hundreds of nursing students. This is where AGACNP students end up studying.
• Denton Campus: Denton is where most students complete lower-level undergraduate courses (if needed) and connect with faculty in online master’s courses. Denton Regional Medical Center and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton are close neighbors.

Overall, you’re looking at a school with a small-town feel, a sturdy employment reputation, and access to some excellent resources. Alumni say that faculty are encouraging and knowledgeable, and the curriculum is always relevant.

MS Specialty Options

All of the following master’s specialties are open to students in both the RN-MS Program and the Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS Program. Many of these subjects (e.g. women’s health) dovetail with faculty research groups. We’ve also included where each specialty is offered.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Houston)
• Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Dallas/Houston)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (Denton Campus & Dallas/Houston)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Dallas)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (Dallas)

Leadership & Education

• Nursing Health Systems Management
  • Minor in Business (Denton Campus & Dallas/Houston)
  • Minor in Health Care Administration (Houston)
• Nursing Education (Denton Campus & Dallas/Houston)

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

Requirements are laid out in TWU’s College of Nursing admission requirements. Many points are going to depend on the program:

• RN-MS Program: This requires an associate nursing degree or a diploma from a nationally accredited program. You’ll also need to meet the College’s general requirements for undergraduate admission and graduate admission. See specific RN-MS admission requirements.
• Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS Program: This requires an associate nursing degree or a diploma and a baccalaureate degree in another field from a nationally accredited program. You’ll also need to meet the College’s general requirements for graduate admission. See specific Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS admission requirements.

Generally speaking, applicants to both programs must:

• Have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite and prior nursing courses and the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate study. (TWU will consider candidates with 2.5-2.9 GPAs on a provisional basis,)
• Have completed any necessary undergraduate prerequisites, including a basic statistics course. View a list of RN-MS prerequisites and Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS prerequisites.
• Have achieved a minimum grade of “C” in anatomy & physiology and microbiology.
• Fulfill general admission requirements, which may include reference letters, essays, interviews, and evidence of scholarly activity.

GRE or MAT scores are not required for admission to graduate nursing programs. International students will have additional language proficiency requirements.

Note: RN-MS applicants are required to submit both an undergraduate and a graduate application.

RN Requirements

In addition, RN applicants to both programs should:

• Have a current U.S. RN License (unencumbered).
• Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
• Have completed the equivalent of 1 year of full-time clinical experience in the specialty area prior to enrollment in the first clinical nursing course.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

These estimates are based on full-time study, but you can choose to study part-time as well. Both prep programs (i.e. the bridge portion) are designed to be completed primarily online, which means you can continue to work.

• RN-MS Program: Expect around 3-5 years in total. To earn your BS, you’ll usually need to take at least 32 undergraduate credit hours at TWU (the remaining 28 credit hours are credited to RNs who have met the established criteria for admission to upper-division nursing courses). You’ll need to add 3-6 semesters of full-time study in your chosen MS specialty.
• Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS Program: Bank on 2-4 years in total. In a full-time scenario, you’ll be expected to take 2 semesters of undergraduate & graduate bridge coursework and 3-6 semesters in your chosen MS specialty. The entire program will be 47-58 credit hours, depending on the specialty.

TWU doesn’t provide sample schedules, so we recommend you talk to the program coordinator for precise details.

Bridge Coursework

RN-MS Program

The RN-MS program allows you to earn a BS on the way toward the MS. That means you’ll be taking coursework for the BS at the same time as you’re fulfilling some of the requirements for a master’s degree. Undergraduate & graduate bridge coursework can include classes such as:

• RN Introduction to Baccalaureate Nursing
• RN with Families and Groups
• Aging
• Community Health Competencies
• Research in Nursing
• High Acuity Nursing
• Competencies in RN Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing

You may be able to earn credit for some upper-division nursing courses by successfully passing challenge exams.

Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS Program

In the Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS program, you’ll need to tackle 10-15 credit hours of undergraduate coursework and 11-13 credit hours of graduate coursework before you can proceed to the MS. Bridge coursework includes the following courses:

• Introduction to Baccalaureate Nursing
• The Nursing Leadership and Management Experience
• Pathophysiology
• Community Health Competencies
• Research and Quality Improvement in Nursing

Just like the RN-MS, you can earn credit for some upper-division nursing courses by successfully passing challenge exams.

MS Curriculum

Once you reach the MS, you can really start to focus! Each graduate program website has more specifics, but here’s a summary of the major differences:

• NP Specialties: These are hybrid programs, with a combo of online and face-to-face classes. They consist of 46 credit hours—23 hours of core requirements, 15 hours of clinical courses, and 8 hours of preceptorship courses. Core coursework covers theory, research & quality improvement, the 3 Ps, policy, and the APRN role. Specialty courses are listed in the graduate catalog. Check out the center that hosts your NP program to learn more about practicum opportunities.
• Nursing Education Specialty: Designed to prepare nurses for faculty and staff education roles, this 40-credit MS is 100% online. It has the same core as the NP program—theory, research & quality improvement, 3 Ps, and policy—but it omits coursework in the APRN role. The remainder of the degree is devoted to education, with 6 courses in areas such as curriculum & design, measurement & assessment, etc. There is also a 4-credit teaching practicum.
• Nursing Health Systems Management Specialty: This 42-credit program gives you the chance to minor in health care administration (50% online; 50% in the classroom) or business (100% online, with practicum hours in your area). You’ll be required to take courses in theory, research, and policy, as well as clinical credits (e.g. 90-hour practicums in organizational, outcomes & fiscal assessments). Then you can focus on courses in your chosen minor (16-17 credits). The website has a complete list of options. Practicums are arranged at healthcare agencies in your local area.

All programs include an oral exam that covers your completed professional or clinical project.

More Reasons to Love the Program

In a word? Flexibility. Although you’ll have to complete mandatory clinical practicums, most specialties will allow you to combine online and on-campus courses in a schedule that works for you. TWU hosts regular information sessions where you can learn more about the RN-MS Program.

When it comes to budget, TWU has some of the lowest tuition rates for in-state residents among Texas public universities (just remember there’s an extra per credit surcharge for nursing courses when you’re looking at the tables). Both nursing scholarships and general TWU scholarships are available.

13. Oregon Health & Science University

RNBS to Master’s Program

This hybrid program from OHSU’s School of Nursing (SON) is designed for ADN & ASN holders who want to earn a BS on their way toward a master’s degree. You can choose to specialize in nursing education or leadership for your master’s, and most of the BS and graduate coursework is offered online!

It’s especially worth a look if you’re interested in a public university with strengths in better education practices and older adult health:

• The SON has made a commitment to transformational learning (e.g. competency-based learning, interprofessional education, and simulation) and translational/implementation research (e.g. program evaluation). You’ll see those ideas reflected in faculty-led research on nursing education.
• The Master of Nursing Education (MNE) includes a focus in adult gerontological nursing, which ties into OHSU’s dedicated Hartford Center of Gerontological Excellence and its ECLEPs—clinical sites for nursing students to learn best practices in the care of older adults.
  

MN/MNE Specialty Options

Happily, OHSU often appears in the top 20 rankings of Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs from U.S. News & World Report. You can choose from 2 specialties in the RNBS to Master’s Program. You’ll get to study for one after you’ve earned a BS.

Leadership & Education

• Nursing Education (Master of Nursing Education – MNE)
• Health Systems and Organizational Leadership (Master of Nursing – MN)

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RNBS to Master’s Program is open to RNs who hold an associate’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution. To apply, you must:

• Have completed all prerequisite undergraduate courses prior to the start of the program. OHSU has listed these subjects in its application requirements. The minimum acceptable grade is a C.
• Have passed a basic statistics course with a grade of B- or better from a regionally accredited school within 5 years of entering the program.
• Have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all college courses ever taken.
• Supply 3 letters of reference, preferably from a supervisor, an instructor or academic source, and a co-worker.
• Submit a résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Write an essay pertaining to your graduate program of interest.

If you’re intending to earn the MN HSOL, you will also need to provide a sample of your scholarly work.

RN Requirements

In addition, you will need to:

• Have an Oregon RN license by the time the RNBS program begins.

Once you’re in the master’s portion of the program, you should have an RN license in the home state from which you are completing the program.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Overall, you’re looking at ~3 years if you choose to study full-time. The BS portion will take 9 months-1 year (3-4 terms). The master’s portion, including all of the coursework and practicums, will take ~18 months (7 terms). Master’s programs have a fall term start.

If you choose part-time study, the BS portion will take ~18 months (7 terms); the length of the master’s program will vary. OHSU operates on a 4-term schedule (winter, spring, summer & fall terms).

Most of the RNBS and the MN or MNE can be taken online, but there are practicums and—in the case of the MNE—face-to-face intensives.

Bridge Coursework

Your “bridge coursework” will be the 39 credits you need to finish the BS. OHSU posts sample programs of study for RNBS Completion. Traditional community college graduates tackle online courses in:

• Health Promotion and Pathophysiological Processes
• Chronic Illness and End-of-Life
• Epidemiology
• Practice Integration
• Nursing Leadership in Health Care Delivery Systems
• Focus on Specialty Nursing Topics through Guided Discovery
• Population Health Practice
• Integrative Practicum

Note: RNBS coursework is slightly different for OCNE Community College graduates—check the sample program of study for details.

MSN Curriculum

After you’ve earned your BS, you can slide gracefully into your master’s program. OHSU posts sample programs of study for the MN and MNE degrees, with a breakdown of the schedule. But just to give you a quick summary:

• Nursing Education (MNE): This rigorous hybrid degree is 48 credits, with 2 integrated practicums and 3 focus areas: adult gerontological nursing, community health nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Courses are primarily online, but there are face-to-face intensives in certain classes (esp. psych). You’ll take core coursework in education (e.g. clinical teaching, online teaching, learning assessment, etc.), advanced nursing (e.g. pharmacology, complex health conditions, etc.) and a course that relates to your choice of focus. There are 2 practicums—one in your focus area and a final-term practicum in teaching. A simulation course is also included.
• Health Systems & Organizational Leadership (MN HSOL): This 100% online degree consists of 50 credits, including 400 practicum hours. You’ll study complex dynamic healthcare delivery systems, communication strategies, evidence-driven clinical & organization effectiveness, budgets & finance, managing human capital, and more. There’s a dedicated informatics course and an elective. Practicums in “Leading Effective Organizations” are distributed throughout the program. Complexity and quality science are emphasized.

More Reasons to Love the Program

OHSU is a public school—it’s the state’s only comprehensive public academic health center—so Oregon residents and students in bordering counties are eligible for in-state tuition rates on the master’s portion of the program. However, the per credit rate for the RNBS portion is exactly the same for in-state and out-of-state residents.

Interested in the MNE? Be sure to check out SON Scholarships and Loan Repayment Programs. In addition to general nursing scholarships, you’ll be eligible for:

• Michaelson Gerontological Nursing Scholarship: This is open to MNE students who are committed to teaching about the health & healthcare needs of older adults. Up to $1,000 is awarded to 2 students each year.
• Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Program: Graduates who find full-time employment as nurse educators are eligible to have 85% of their tuition remitted.
• Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program: Graduates who agree to a 2-year service commitment receive 60% of their total nursing education loan balance.

If you live nearby, you’re welcome to book an Advising Appointment to learn more about your options.

14. University of Central Florida

RN with Non-Nursing Bachelor’s to Online MSN Program

Calling all RNs who are interested in simulation, education & management—UCF’s innovative program from the College of Nursing and UCF Online could be a perfect fit! It’s primarily online and full of exciting practicums & internships. As the title suggests, it’s only open to AS or diploma graduates who also have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

We especially love the College’s strength in healthcare simulation (check out the STIM Center). Orlando is a well-known center for innovation in this field (e.g. Air Force Agency for Modeling & Simulation) and the College has put a ton of effort into simulation, technology & modeling research. Many folks in the Central Florida Research Park (CFRP) work with UCF faculty & students on interdisciplinary projects in this area.

MSN Specialty Options

You can choose from 3 specialties. Almost all the coursework can be taken online, but some campus activities may be required in the Educator & Simulation specialties. UCF recommends you talk to an MSN advisor before you commit to a program.

Leadership & Education

• Nurse Educator
• Nursing and Health Care Simulation
• Leadership and Management

Note: UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. The State Restrictions section has more info.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

This program is open to licensed RNs who have earned an AS or a diploma in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing. To apply, you must fulfill general UCF graduate admissions requirements and:

• Have completed an undergraduate statistics course.
• Write a 500-word essay that addresses your professional goals and your ideas for solving a contemporary issue or problem in healthcare.
• Submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) that addresses your prior education, clinical accomplishments, scholarly work, awards, certifications & professional activities.

An interview with faculty may also be required.

Note: Applicants who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.

RN Requirements

In addition, you must:

• Have a Florida RN license if you will be taking clinical and practice courses in Florida healthcare agencies and institutions OR
• Have an RN license in the state or country in which you will be practicing as a distance/online learner.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Budget for 2-3 years of full-time study. The bridge coursework will take 1 semester. Once you’ve finished those 3 courses, you can approach the MSN. Each MSN Program page has links to sample schedules. UCF has a 3-semester format (fall, spring & summer).

• Nurse Educator MSN: Full-time will be 5 semesters (1 year + 2 semesters) and part-time will be 7 semesters (2 years + 1 semester).
• Nursing & Health Care Simulation MSN: Full-time will be 4 semesters (1 year + 1 semester) and part-time will be 5 semesters (1 year + 2 semesters).
• Leadership & Management MSN: Full-time will be 5 semesters (1 year + 2 semesters) and part-time will be 7 semesters (2 years + 1 semester).

In the Graduate Catalog, UCF notes that all of these MSN programs can be completed online (clinical work takes place in your home community). However, not all elective options or program prerequisites may be available. In addition, the Nurse Educator and Nursing & Health Care Simulation specialties will require some campus activities.

Note: International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters of an MSN program and only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format.

Bridge Coursework

This program only requires you to complete 3 upper-division bridge courses (9 credits) with a grade of B or better before you can proceed to the master’s. If you study full-time, you can complete all of them in 1 semester.

• Dimensions of Professional Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Nursing Research

MSN Curriculum

Curricula are outlined in UCF’s Graduate Catalog. Each MSN Program page also has links to sample schedules.

• Nurse Educator Specialty: This is a 35-credit MSN, with online classes, some campus activities, and 240 clinical hours. Coursework is split evenly between advanced nursing courses (e.g. pathophysiology, theory, research, etc.) and education courses (e.g. curriculum development, teaching strategies, evaluation, etc.). You’ll also complete an internship (180 clinical hours) and a practicum in a choice of educational focus: family, adult, or community (60 clinical hours). If you tack on 3 additional courses, you can earn a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation.
• Nursing Health Care & Simulation Specialty: This is a 31-credit MSN, with online classes, some campus activities, and 60 clinical hours. Most of the program is devoted to required coursework, including advanced nursing courses (pathophysiology, core clinical concepts, theory, research, etc.) and 3 simulation courses. The program includes a practicum (60 clinical hours) and a simulation capstone project. You can also take 3 credit hours of electives.
• Leadership & Management Specialty: This is a 36-credit MSN, with online classes and 315 clinical hours. All of the courses are required, but you will get to choose 1 elective. You’ll tackle subjects in advanced nursing (e.g. legal & professional behavior) as well as leadership (e.g. organizational dynamics, financial management, nursing environment, informatics, etc.). There’s a leadership practicum (135 clinical hours) and an internship (180 clinical hours).

As part of the MSN, you will also be required to complete an evidence-based scholarly clinical paper. This will be presented in a public forum.

More Reasons to Love the Program

UCF is a public university and in-state tuition rates are even available to online students (out-of-state students have to pay an extra non-resident fee). The College of Nursing offers 24 graduate scholarships to nursing students, but it’s best to check if distance learners qualify for awards.

If you’re looking at the nurse educator specialty and its choice of practicum, we should also point out that the College has a proven track record in community-based healthcare, including research into reducing disparities in aging and vulnerable populations. You’ll be working with faculty and advisors who have on-the-ground experience in family & adult health.

15. Georgia State University

RN to MS Bridge Program

Live near the city of Atlanta, with all of its amazing healthcare institutions? GSU’s work-friendly RN to MS program from the Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions should be on your shortlist! It’s offered in a web-based format with occasional on-site classes (e.g. once a month), and all kinds of NP and leadership specialties are available.

You’ll be working with a popular College (10,000+ alumni) that has its own:

• Health and Wellness Collaborative, which supplies primary & preventative healthcare to medically underserved communities.
• Project Healthy Grandparents (PHG), which provides social work and nursing services to parent-absent households.
• Outpatient Physical Therapy and Wellness Clinic—something to consider if you’re thinking of caring for athletes, injured workers, or patients with functional issues.

Students on independent review sites have especially high praise for the nursing faculty, calling them extremely understanding, nice, and helpful.

MS Specialty Options

Folks in the RN to MS Bridge Program can choose from a range of options, including 2 concentration choices in the leadership program.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult Health Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Leadership

• Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Innovations
  • Informatics Concentration
  • Nursing Administration Concentration

Note: You won’t earn a BS or BSN while you complete this program—just the MS.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN to MS Bridge Program is open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program and considerable practice experience. To apply, you must:

• Have completed all the required RN-MS prerequisite undergraduate coursework, including credits in anatomy & physiology, microbiology, health & human lifespan development, and abnormal psychology.
• Have earned a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Supply 2 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic & professional abilities.
• Submit a résumé and a statement of purpose/goals.
• Write a 2-page position paper on a current social or health issue (i.e. a writing sample).
• Submit MAT or GRE scores (GSU prefers the MAT). This requirement is waived for candidates who have a graduate degree in another field (e.g. MPH).

Note: RN to MS students who hold a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field can have additional undergraduate courses waived.

RN Requirements

This program is deliberately aimed at seasoned RNs. That means you should:

• Have a minimum of 1 year post-licensure clinical experience.

2 years of clinical experience are preferred for NP specialty candidates. This experience should be in the relevant field (e.g. medical-surgical nursing practice for the AHGNP specialty).

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

In general, it takes ~2-3 years to finish the entire program if you are studying full-time; part-time students often take 3-4 years. Part-time study is considered 8 semester hours or less; full-time is 9 semester hours or more. These numbers can change depending on:

• Whether you’ve already finished all the RN-MS prerequisite undergraduate courses.
• How long you take to complete the bridge coursework.
• Which MS program you select—NP specialites have more credits & practicums than the Leadership MS.

The program is offered in a hybrid or “web-enhanced” format:

• Online classes are available in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Online courses are listed in the GSU catalog.
• On-campus classes are held approximately 4 times per semester.

Bridge Coursework

Before you can enroll in the MS, you’ll be expected to complete all the necessary RN-MS prerequisite undergraduate courses and 2 bridge courses (8 credits in total):

• Caring for Families and Communities (5 credits)
• Leadership and Management in Nursing (3 credits)

If you haven’t taken an undergraduate health assessment course, you’ll also be expected to complete one online through GSU.

Note: Caring for Families requires clinical site arrangements. You’ll need to work with the course administrator to make sure you’ve set your site up one semester before registering for the class.

MS Curriculum

The MS page has a full rundown of all the NP specialties, including links to curricula.

• NP Specialties: All Nurse Practitioner MSs are 48 credits and have the same fundamental core. You’ll take 8 courses in the 3 Ps (advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology & health assessment), the culture of healthcare, APRN issues, research, and collaboration. The remaining courses, practicums & electives will be devoted to your NP specialty area. The PMHNP specialty, in particular, has a lot of clinical hours.
• Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Innovation Specialties: This 36-credit MS has a core set of required courses, including credits in leadership (e.g. organizational behavior, innovation, etc.), healthcare systems, financial management, and more. The core also includes a 2-part Leadership Residency. You can choose between the Informatics or Nursing Administration concentration—each involves 3 courses in advanced topics.

Graduates of all of these programs will be eligible to sit for relevant national certification exams.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Because GSU is a public university, per credit tuition rates are significantly cheaper for in-state residents (i.e. including fees, only 45% of what out-of-state residents have to pay). Better yet, nursing graduate students are eligible for College scholarships such as the:

• Merle K. Lott Scholarship for RN to MS students (and others).
• Kaiser Permanente Endowed Nursing Scholarship for folks with a high GPA (3.0 or above) and financial need.
• Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship for female students who have demonstrated financial need, scholastic ability, and who live in one of nine southern states.
• Pediatria Healthcare Endowed Nursing Scholarship for PNP students.

The College is also a great place for RNs who want to build up their research credentials. It hosts an Annual Lewis College Research Conference and Lewis College Research Seminar Series, which students are welcome to participate in. Informatics students may also want to check out the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (SRMA) Initiative, which fosters faculty-led, data-driven projects (e.g. dose effect of Tai Chi on physical and mental health).

16. Seton Hall University

RN to MSN Bridge Program

Run by the College of Nursing and SHU Online, this hybrid program is a terrific option for budding AGNPs, PNPs, and healthcare administrators who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. SHU is a Catholic university in New Jersey with a strong pedigree—it was the first Catholic college on the East Coast to offer an undergraduate program in nursing. It’s also private, so bear that in mind when you’re planning your budget.

We really want to highlight the clinical training opportunities. Although NP programs are primarily online, they also include innovative, on-campus immersions. Here you’ll be able to practice physical exams, conduct assessments, attend guest lectures, get hands-on experience in procedures (e.g. arterial line insertions), talk to alumni, and connect with the career center. The College also has plenty of clinical sites & affiliations.

MSN Specialty Options

SHU’s RN to MSN Bridge Program includes both nurse practitioner and leadership specialties. If you’re aiming for a healthcare executive or CNO role, be sure to check out the dual degree option.

Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Primary Care Track
  • Acute Care Track
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Primary Care Track
  • Acute Care Track

Leadership

• Health Systems Administration with Case Management
• Health Systems Administration/MBA

Note: SHU is unable to offer NP online programs to students in certain states. See the State Authorizations page for details.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN to MSN Bridge Program is open to RN candidates who have an AS or AAS in nursing and a non-nursing baccalaureate degree (e.g. BA or BS). To apply, you must:

• Have completed all the necessary undergraduate prerequisites (e.g. statistics, anatomy & physiology, developmental psychology, etc.).
• Have earned a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, plus a “B” average in all nursing courses. Applicants to NP acute care tracks should have a GPA of 3.2 or above.
• Supply 2 letters of reference from master’s prepared nurses, preferably 1 from a supervisor and 1 from an academic. (2 professional recommendations are acceptable if you’ve been out of school for a long time.)
• Submit a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV).
• Craft personal statement outlining your career goals and objectives.
• Hold CPR certification prior to enrollment in clinical courses.

An interview may or may not be required. AGACNP (acute care) candidates will also need to have ACLS certification before they start their first clinical practicum. If you’ve been educated outside of the U.S. and English is not your native language, you’ll need to submit TOEFL scores.

Note: For the MBA/MSN HSA dual degree program, you’ll need to fill out separate applications to College of Nursing and the Stillman School of Business.

RN Requirements

In addition, you must have:

• RN licensure in your state of practice (and in New Jersey if you’re intending to perform your clinicals in New Jersey).
• Professional liability insurance.

A minimum of 1 year of professional RN experience is required for admittance to the RN to MSN Bridge Program. In general, SHU would like to see:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional work experience for acute care tracks.
• A mimimum of 1 year of professional work experience for primary care tracks.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

For the entire RN to MSN program, full-time students should budget ~4-5 years for the NP options; 3 years for Health Systems Administration (HSA); and 4 years for the dual MBA/MSN.

SHU operates on a 3-semester schedule (fall, spring & summer). The bridge coursework will take at least 1-2 semesters, followed by the MSN:

• PNP MSNs: 3 years—1 year of core coursework + 2 years of clinical practicums and specialty coursework (spring & fall).
• AGNP MSNs: AGNP degrees have more 6 credits than the PNP options, so your MSN coursework & practicums will stretch into 4 years.
• MSN HSA: This MSN is only 30 credits/10 courses, so you can finish it in 2 years.
• MBA/MSN HSA: SHU states it can be completed, full-time, in 3 years.

Except for the clinical practicums, your courses can be taken online. However:

• Remember that NP programs are going to have 2-3 on-campus immersions (the first orientation can be virtual).
• There are no on-campus clinical experiences in the HSA programs, but you will need to tackle a practicum and internship.

Bridge Coursework

You’ll need to fulfill all the undergraduate prerequisites and complete 2 bridge courses (11 credits) before you can proceed to your MSN specialty.

• Professional Nursing (6 credits)
• Community Health Perspectives (5 credits)

MSN Curriculum

All of the NP programs contain a core of theory & research. The remaining credits are devoted to advanced nursing courses, specialty courses (e.g. acute care theory), 4 practicums, and an APRN enactment. Both the AGNP and PNP include 2-3 on-campus immersions.

• Adult Gerontology NP Specialties: The 48-credit AGNP curriculum (both tracks) begins with the core, followed by 39 credits in primary care or acute care. Along with the regular line-up, AGNP MSNs include a course on health concepts of aging. The primary care track has 600 clinical hours; acute care has 675 clinical hours.
• Pediatric NP Specialties: The 42-credit PNP curriculum (both tracks) follows a similar pattern to the AGNP, but you won’t have to take the course on aging. The primary care track has 540 clinical hours; acute care has 645 clinical hours.

MSN HSA degrees take a different approach. There are no on-campus immersions, but there’s a hefty dose of practicum work:

• Health Systems Administration Specialty: The 100% online, 30-credit HSA curriculum includes a core in theory & research, followed by coursework in administration (e.g. financial management). The program includes 85 clinical hours: a practicum in managed care and reimbursement systems (40 hours) and an internship (45 hours).
• Health Systems Administration/MBA: The 55-credit dual degree curriculum is a mixture of the HSA (25 credits) and courses within the Stillman School of Business (30 credits). Like the HSA, you’ll be required to complete the practicum and the internship. The nursing component must be completed prior to the MBA.

Graduates—including HSA students—will be well-prepared to take the relevant national certification exams. SHU likes to note that alumni have a 98% AANPCP exam pass rate.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Despite being relatively small, the College of Nursing has a sturdy national reputation. 80% of full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees and former students say that the teaching staff are very supportive. The College is housed on the Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus (IHS), in close proximity to the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, with its state-of-the-art learning facilities. The IHS is where NP immersion experiences take place.

Tuition rates & fees for the MSN portion of your degree are listed on SHU Online. The per credit hour cost is the same for NP and HSA programs, but NP degrees obviously have a lot more credits. You’ll also need to factor in tuition for bridge courses. Having said that, students employed at one of SHU’s partner health systems (Atlantic Health, Hackensack-Meridian Health, RWJ-Somerset, or Valley Hospital) may be eligible for nursing tuition discounts. And a 50% religious discount is available to members of the clergy.

17. University of Hawaii at Manoa

RN to MS Program

UH Manoa’s School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene (SONDH) has come up with a unique, online program in Advanced Population Health Nursing (APHN) that will be especially attractive to RNs in Hawaii and along the Pacific Rim. Open to RNs with an associate’s degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, this is a solid pick if you’re interested in leadership areas such as public health, program management, policy-making, epidemiology, and the like.

As you would expect, UH Manoa Nursing has long-running strengths in Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander health and disaster nursing. It’s also remarkably accommodating—all traditional coursework is delivered through distance learning. You’ll be able to get stuck into community & public health projects in the practicums, and you’ll even have the option to write a thesis.

MS Specialty Options

UH Manoa only offers one specialty to RN to MS candidates, but it’s an intriguing one.

Community Nursing

• Advanced Population Health Nursing (APHN)

Note: This is not a Nurse Practitioner (NP) program—it does not lead to APRN licensure & national certification.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The RN to MS Program is open to RNs with an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. All candidates will have to meet the requirements of both the UH Manoa Graduate Division and the Department of Nursing. To apply, you must:

• Have earned an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• Submit a résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Craft a 500-word essay in response to a provided question.

In addition, you’ll need to supply evidence of baccalaureate-level knowledge in:

• Research (the equivalent of UH Manoa’s NURS 363)
• Community, public, and global health studies (the equivalent of NURS 450)
• Integrative clinical practicum & leadership development (the equivalent of NURS 460)

All of this work must have been done within the last 7 years. You can prove competency in these 3 areas through traditional coursework, professional programs, and/or professional or life experience. You may also petition to waive coursework by submitting an experiential portfolio with samples of evidence (e.g. résumé, transcripts, course syllabi, professional training coursework, etc.). The Nursing Office of Student Services can provide specific portfolio guidelines.

Note: If your first language isn’t English or you haven’t obtained your bachelor’s or master’s degree from an English-speaking institution, you’ll be asked for TOEFL scores.

RN Requirements

You’ll also be expected to:

• Hold a current, unrestricted RN license in your state of practice.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

The APHN Program page includes sample full-time & part-time schedules. If you already have all the required undergraduate prerequisites, you can complete the MS in 1 year as a full-time student or 2 years as a part-time student.

The MS is a distance learning degree. Coursework is 100% online and practicum fieldwork is completed in your local community!

Bridge Coursework

UH Manoa takes a knowledge & skills-based approach to the RN to MS Program. As long as you can provide competency in 3 key areas (i.e. research; community, public & global health; and complex nursing & leadership), you’ll be allowed to proceed into the MS program.

If you don’t have experience in some of these subjects, you may be required to take the equivalent undergraduate prerequisites.

MS Curriculum

The APHN Program page has a full rundown of the curriculum. Overall, the MS is 30 credits without a thesis and 39 credits with a thesis (i.e. a 3-credit course on methods for nursing research + a 6-credit thesis course).

For the 30-credit option, you’ll take 8 mandatory courses in:

• Nursing Research and Theory
• Global Health
• Leadership, Role, Identity and Organizational/System Change
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing
• Health Policy
• Advanced Population Health Nursing
• Disaster Nursing

There are also 2 APHN capstone practicums (3 credits each). These will involve a complex service project for a public or community-based agency. 45 hours of practicum experience is awarded for each credit (270 hours total).

More Reasons to Love the Program

UH Manoa is a public university, so tuition for in-state residents is around 60% of what out-of-state residents must pay. Having said that, the grand total is still a little pricey, so we recommend you check out the list of Nursing Scholarship Resources, including the list of UH Manoa Achievement Grants and UH Foundation Scholarships. There are a number of foundation scholarships that are open to graduate nursing students!

Interested in (or already) working with the military? Thanks to its strategic position in Honolulu, UH Manoa Nursing has a close relationship with U.S. armed services—the Cooperative Research Partnership between the Pacific Regional Medical Command (PRMC) and the school is one major example. Faculty also have major stake in fostering & improving Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) through workshops, curriculum development, and a partnership with the Queen’s Medical Center.

18. South Dakota State University

RN to MSN Program

South Dakota is our sleeper hit! The College of Nursing and its distance learning arm, Online Graduate Nursing, have come up with convenient FNP, education and leadership programs for RNs with an associate degree or diploma who would like to earn a BSN on the way to a master’s. Most of the programs are hybrid, but the Nurse Administrator specialty is 100% online.

SDSU is an excellent pick if you’re interested in rural health issues. Research at the College is centered on health & social justice in rural communities and reservation populations. If you browse through currently funded grants, you’ll find a lot of wonderful work being done in the realms of Native American health, high-need counties, rural telehealth, tobacco cessation, food security, and the like.

MSN Specialty Options

SDSU offers 1 NP specialty and 3 leadership & education options. All of them get results. According to the College’s fast facts, SDSU has a 100% APRN and CNL exam pass rate, and a 100% job placement rate (within 3 months of graduation).

Nurse Practitioner

• Family Nurse Practitioner

Leadership & Education

• Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Educator

Note: Check the State Authorization page before you commit. SDSU is unable to accept RN to MSN applicants who reside in any states labeled as “not authorized/not exempt.” Thanks to the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), you probably won’t have a problem.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

SDSU’s RN to MSN Program is open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who wish to earn a BSN along the way to earning an MSN. To apply, you must have:

• Have earned a 3.0-3.3 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in your undergraduate coursework.
• Have completed an approved statistics course within 5 years of enrollment in NURS 626 – Research in Nursing & Healthcare (see bridge coursework below).
• Meet all other baccalaureate admission requirements, including necessary undergraduate prerequisites.

90 community/technical college credits can be transferred to meet BSN requirements, but you must complete at least 30 credits at SDSU.

Once you’ve earned your BSN, you’ll need to apply to your graduate program—admission is not automatically guaranteed. In addition to the above, MSN admission requirements state you must also:

• Have basic life support certification.
• Supply a personal statement.
• Submit professional employment verification.

FNP candidates must also:

• Go through an interview with graduate faculty and/or graduate admissions committee member(s).
• Have advanced cardiac life support certification.

Note: Applicants with English as a second language will be asked to provide TOEFL or IELTS scores.

RN Requirements

Finally, all MSN candidates will be expected to have:

• Current licensure as an RN in the U.S. or its territories prior to enrollment in the first graduate nursing course.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical lab or within the first year of the graduate program.
• Coverage by a non-employer sponsored RN liability insurance (1 million / 5 million). SDSU provides a list of companies that provide nursing malpractice liability coverage; FNP candidates will need additional specialty coverage (e.g. NP student coverage).

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Budget for 4 years at minimum. On a full-time schedule, the BSN portion will take 1 year to complete. Then you choose a graduate program:

• FNP MSN: 3 years full-time, including clinical practicums and the internship.
• CNL MSN: 3 years full-time, including the clinical immersion & capstone project.
• Nurse Administrator: 3 years full-time and 4 years part-time.
• Nurse Educator: 3 years full-time and 5 years part-time.

You’ll find a sample schedule for each MSN specialty in the Curriculum link.

Bridge coursework can be completed online, but almost all of the MSN options include at least one course that requires on-campus time. The Nurse Administrator MSN is the sole 100% online option.

Bridge Coursework

Provided you’ve met all the undergraduate prerequisites, the BSN completion coursework will take 3 semesters (studying full-time). You can request approval to substitute 2 graduate-level courses (NURS 615 & 626) for bachelor’s-level courses, which will give you a head-start on the MSN.

• Summer Semester: Undergraduate coursework centers around family & communication and patient-centered care.
• Fall Semester: Undergraduate coursework involves health assessment, clinical decision-making, and intervention. This is where you can take your first master’s-level course: Foundations of Advanced Nursing (NURS 615).
• Spring Semester: Undergraduate coursework tackles community health and more patient-centered care. You’ll be able to take your second master’s-level course: Research in Nursing and Healthcare (NURS 626).

Part-time study will take 5 semesters. All of the bridge courses, including the graduate credits, are available online.

MSN Curriculum

The Areas of Study section has complete details on all the available MSN specialties, but here’s a quick summary:

• Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty: This 53-58 NP program will prepare you to treat individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings, with an emphasis on rural healthcare. The curriculum is offered in a blend of online and face-to-face courses, and includes the usual assortment of advanced nursing courses, as well as FNP didactic coursework, clinical practicums, and an internship (1040 total clinical hours).
• Clinical Nurse Leader Specialty: This 39-credit MSN is primarily online, although the course in advanced health assessment requires on-campus labs. The curriculum is a blend of typical NP nursing courses (e.g. advanced pathophysiology) and management subjects. There’s a practicum and a clinical immersion & capstone project (420 total clinical hours).
• Nurse Administrator Specialty: This 31-35 credit MSN can be taken 100% online. The curriculum begins with a traditional core (e.g. policy, research, etc.), followed by management coursework (e.g. transformational leadership, financial management), electives, and 1 administrative practicum (180 total clinical hours).
• Nurse Educator Specialty: This 39-44 credit MSN is primarily online, although the course in advanced health assessment requires on-campus labs. The curriculum has a core of advanced nursing courses, complemented by credits in education (e.g. curriculum development, technology-based instruction, etc.) and teaching practicums (180 total clinical hours).

In every MSN except the CNL, you’ll have the option to finish the degree with a research project, thesis, or coursework only. Graduates will be prepared to sit for relevant certification exams, which are listed on the individual program pages.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Tuition & costs and scholarship opportunities are spelled out on the College website. When it comes to graduate tuition, South Dakota residents pay less than out-of-state residents, even for online courses. As of 2019, SDSU had a Minnesota Reciprocity agreement in place, meaning MN-based nursing students got a break as well!

Eyeing the Nurse Educator specialty? SDSU receives funding for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). Nurse educators are eligible to have 85% of their graduate loans refunded if they teach in an accredited school of nursing for 4 years following graduation.

South Dakota isn’t a big state (population-wise), but you’ll still be able to forge connections—the College hosts a number of Nursing Career Fairs at its Brookings and Rapid City campuses. FNP candidates will also be pleased to know that the graduate nursing arm has 200+ partnerships with local and regional clinical practicum sites.

 19. Stony Brook University

RN Baccalaureate to Master’s Program

Stony Brook’s School of Nursing has a whole lot going for it. It’s developed a clinically rigorous pathway for RNs who want to earn a BS in nursing and an MS. Programs are classified as online (with some on-site requirements), which means it’s often in the top 20 rankings for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. And the MS is offered in a huge range of specialties, including NP options, midwifery, education, and leadership.

It’s also one of six schools in the Health Sciences Center, which gives it an interprofessional flavor. If you live near the campus, clinical experiences will often take place at the Stony Brook University Medical Center, which is the only level-one trauma center in the area. And it has resources to spare—Stony Brook is part of SUNY, the largest comprehensive public university system in the U.S.

MS Specialty Options

In the category of master’s programs, Stony Brook offers pretty much everything but the kitchen sink. All of these choices will prepare you for relevant national certification exams.

Nurse Practitioner & APN

• Adult-Gerontological Health Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Leadership & Education

• Nursing Education
• Nursing Leadership

Note: If you live outside of New York state, and you’re interested in an APN program that requires a clinical placement, you will need to contact the graduate program assistant to learn more about state authorization regulations.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

Stony Brook’s program is open to RNs with an associate degree or a diploma in nursing. To apply, you must:

• Have completed all the necessary undergraduate prerequisites (57 college credits with a grade C at minimum), including 3 prerequisite sciences.
• Have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Supply 3 online letters of recommendation.
• Submit a personal statement.

RN Requirements

You will also need to:

• Have 1-2 years of RN clinical experience in your area of interest.

Note: RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply to the MS. They can submit a clinical practice portfolio to be evaluated for baccalaureate-level competencies after they have been offered conditional acceptance and admitted to a master’s program.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Allow for ~4 years in total if you’re committed to full-time study. The BS portion will take 2 years, with 43 credits of upper- and graduate-level coursework. The length of the master’s portion varies according to the specialty.

• NP/Midwifery/Education MS: Because you’ve taken 3 core graduate courses during the BS portion, the MS portion will be slightly reduced. But you’ll still have to complete 36 credits.
• Nursing Leadership MS: The Nursing Leadership MS is considerably shorter, so you may be able to get it done in a quicker timeframe.

Stony Brook explicitly states that all programs are offered through distance education with some on-site requirements.

Bridge Coursework

The RN Baccalaureate to Master’s Program page lays out the curriculum for the BS portion of your studies. You’ll be required to take 43 credits of coursework in:

• Professional Socialization: 3 courses in professional role development and professional practice.
• Health-Related Sciences: 3 courses in the fundamentals: pathophysiology, pharmacology, and epidemiology.
• Clinical Nursing: Along with 2 courses in health assessment & population health nursing, you’ll tackle a nursing management practicum and a capstone experience.
• BS/MS Graduate Core Classes: 3 graduate-level courses in leadership, quality improvement, and healthcare policy & advocacy.

During this part of the program, you’ll also be required to submit a Clinical Practice Portfolio. This will be evaluated for 28 advanced placement credits.

MS Curriculum

Curricula are laid out under each MS specialty page. All of the 45-credit NP programs & Nurse Midwifery share the same common structure, but there are some points to note:

• You will have already completed the 3-course “core” in the BS portion of your studies, but you’ll be required to take 2 further courses in research.
• All NP & midwifery curricula include the 3 Ps (i.e. advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment). However, certain specialties will add to or modify those topics to suit the subject (e.g. neonatal pathophysiology).
• In the NP specialties, 4 courses are devoted to advanced theory & clinical practice in your specialty—these courses will include clinical practicum hours. Nurse Midwifery has 5 clinical courses.
• Graduates are eligible for national certification and registration as an APRN by the New York State Education Department.

The 45-credit MS in Nursing Education follows a very similar pattern—you’ll take the 2 research courses and the 3Ps—but you’ll also have 3 courses in education (e.g. curriculum design), 3 courses in advanced theory & clinical practice, and an elective.

The 36-credit MS Nursing Leadership includes the 2 research courses but omits the 3 Ps. Instead, you’ll take 4 courses in leadership (e.g. business skills, finance & economics, etc.), 2 courses in advanced theory & practice, and a leadership seminar.

More Reasons to Love the Program

New Yorkers receive the best deal at Stony Brook! Online tuition can be steep for out-of-state students, so we suggest you see if you can qualify for in-state tuition. They are a variety of ways to establish NY residency.

Stony Brook’s research strengths tend to coalesce around family & adult healthcare and IT applications. You’ll see priorities in chronic illness & self-management, health screening & early intervention, biomedical engineering, and aging in place through wireless information technology. Specific research interests are listed under faculty profiles.

20. George Washington University

Online RN-MSN Program

How do we love thee, GWU? To start with, GW Nursing has developed a part-time, 3-year program that allows ADN & ASN-holders to earn a BSN at the same time as they’re completing a master’s in AGNP, FNP, or nurse midwifery. But we also like the fact that:

• The online RN to MSN program includes intensive on-campus experiences at superb training facilities such as the Simulation Learning and Innovation Center located in the Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC).
• GW Nursing has 4 independent centers dedicated to aging, global health initiatives & community service projects, health policy (appropriate for a School near the nation’s capital), and teaching excellence.
• GWU Online provides substantial student support to distance learners, including support for Blackboard, the university’s learning management system.

We’re not the only ones who think it’s fantastic. You’ll frequently find GWU ranked in the top 30 of Best Nursing Schools: Master’s and the top 10 of Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs.

MSN Specialty Options

GWU has three options revolving around adult & women’s care. All of these specialties involve clinical practicums and on-campus training intensives.

Nurse Practitioner & APN

• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery

Note: Check the State Authorizations page before committing. As of 2019, GW Nursing was unable to accept applicants or offer clinical assignments for its online programs to residents of Alabama, Louisiana, and North Dakota. It was also restricted in the number of clinical placements it was able to offer in New York.

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

GWU’s Online RN-MSN Program is open to RNs with an ADN or ASN from an accredited institution (diplomas don’t qualify). To apply, you must:

• Have completed all the necessary undergraduate prerequisites, including statistics, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
• Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Supply 2 letters of recommendation. GW Nursing would like to see 1 academic reference and 1 professional source (e.g. current or former supervisor).
• Submit a résumé and personal statement (for the master’s admission).
• Hold current CPR certification.

Note: There are additional international student requirements.

RN Requirements

All applicants are also required to:

• Have a current active & unencumbered RN license.

Program Info & Curriculum

Length & Format

Each MSN Program page has detailed schedules for RN to MSN students. The NP RN to MSN programs are 54 credits in total; Nurse Midwifery RN to MSN is 52 credits in total.

You’ll be able to finish the entire RN to MSN program in 3 years (fall, spring & summer semesters). You’ll have the BSN in hand after 15 months (i.e. after the 4th semester). From there, you’re about 2 years from completing the MSN. The program allows you to earn both degrees—simultaneously—on a part-time basis.

Most of the coursework is online, but you will be required to visit the GW campus at key points:

• FNP & AGNP: Campus components include a Campus Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI), Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), and an end-of-program skills assessment (simulation-based learning event).
• Nurse Midwifery: Campus components include the CLASI, as well as Initial Antepartal and Primary Care Skills Training and 5 days of Perinatal Skills Training.

For skills assessments, MSN students often go to the Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC) in Ashburn, VA. Students are responsible for all travel-related expenses.

Bridge Coursework

Undergraduate bridge coursework is taken in conjunction with graduate-level courses. You’ll be asked to tackle 400-level subjects such as:

• Community & Public Health Nursing
• Patient Safety & Health Care Quality
• Principles of Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice (or the 600-level Evidence-Based Practice for Health Care Researchers)

There’s also a Nursing Advancement Portfolio, which allows you to be eligible for advanced standing for an additional 15 credits (after the portfolio is reviewed).

MSN Curriculum

You can find more details about individual specialties, including curricula, campus components & clinical placements, through the MSN Program Options page. Regardless of the specialty, these MSNs share the same core coursework:

• Concepts in Population Health
• Nursing Leadership
• Health Policy, Quality, and Political Process
• The 3 Ps (i.e. Advanced Pharmacology, etc.)
• Biostatistics
• Genetics for Health Care Providers

This core will be complemented by coursework & practicums in your choice of specialty. Speaking of those practicums, GW Nursing has some specific requirements:

• AGNP Specialty: 625 clinical hours, with at least 120 of the 625 hours to be spent in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
• FNP Specialty: 700 clinical hours. 300 of the 700 hours will be split between pediatric sites (e.g. outpatient pediatric clinics) & women’s health sites. You must be able to deliver routine prenatal and postpartum care to women.
• Nurse Midwifery Specialty: 700 clinical hours.

GW Nursing is not required to locate clinical sites & preceptors, but it does its best to provide information on local sites in your area. GW faculty will conduct a site visit during the second or final clinical course.

More Reasons to Love the Program

Graduate tuition rates for all programs (including online) are listed under the School of Nursing in the Student Accounts Office. GWU is a private university, so keep in mind that quality comes with a price. Fortunately, you’ll be automatically considered for GW Nursing scholarships when you submit your application. GWU is also known as being military-friendly.

In the realm of research, GW Nursing faculty are doing some intriguing work in kidney disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease in women. Your actual teachers for the RN to MSN program will be listed in the Schedule of Classes. Feel free to look up their credentials under their faculty profiles!

Note: On the fence about a master’s? Live in the DC area? Check out GWU’s 15-month online RN-BSN. Participants are eligible for the GW Hospital Nursing Scholars Program, which covers 100% of the RN-BSN tuition if you’re working in a GW hospital.

Methodology

How We Compile Our Rankings

We take a large number of quality markers into account when we’re coming up with our RN to MSN rankings. At baseline:

• All universities & colleges offering RN to MSN programs must have not-for-profit status.
• All Schools of Nursing should be CCNE or ACEN-accredited, or in the process of achieving accreditation.
• All MSN programs must be ranked between 1-120 in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of Best Nursing Schools: Master’s.

We sift through programs that meet these baseline requirements using a proprietary algorithm. This takes into account:

• Admissions rate—the more selective, the better.
• Completion rates for MSN programs.
• Tuition cost per credit.
• APRN certification pass rates on the first try—we provide a boost to Schools of Nursing with a rate above 90%.
• Graduate rate—again, we provide a boost to Schools of Nursing with a rate above 90%.

We then average out these factors/individual rankings to come up with a final placement. As always, we suggest you take the numbers with a grain of salt. A program ranked #14 may be much more useful to you than a program ranked #2.

What Makes an RN to MSN Program Great?

Overall Reputation

It’s a given that all of the Schools in our rankings have an excellent reputation! But if you’d like to expand your search to include other RN to MSN programs, there are a number of baseline points to look for:

• Regional accreditation for the university
• CCNE or ACEN Accreditation for the School of Nursing
• Tough admission standards (i.e. the program is competitive & challenging to get into)
• Name recognition, particularly in the city & state where you intend to work
• Strong U.S. News & World Report rankings in nursing master’s programs and specialties
• Great reviews from alumni & nursing graduates on independent review sites
• Job-focused coursework and clinical training
• High national certification exam pass rates
• High alumni employment rates
• Low graduate student debt

Our biggest piece of advice? Talk to program alumni. You can ask the university for references, but most nurses also list their academic qualifications (e.g. MSN) and year of graduation on their LinkedIn profiles. They will give you the “good and bad” without any filtering from the School. You may also want to dig a little deeper into…

School of Nursing Strengths

All Schools of Nursing (even the lesser known ones) will have specific strengths & weaknesses. For instance:

• A private university that’s located in an urban healthcare district and affiliated with a major pediatric hospital is probably going to have an excellent PNP AC program.
• A public university that’s located in a rural heartland may have created a superb RN to MSN pathway for FNP nurses who are interested in high-need populations and community service initiatives.

Other Schools may have developed cool advantages thanks to well-funded research centers, institutional partnerships, NIH-funding, and faculty projects.

You’ll see this pattern popping up repeatedly in our rankings. So instead of opting for the biggest name, consider choosing a School and an RN to MSN curriculum that tallies with your career interests.

Faculty Credentials

Getting stuck with mediocre teachers can be the worst part of graduate school—you’ve spent all this money for what?! To avoid disappointment, look for nursing professors who are:

• Still engaged in active practice (e.g. working part-time in outreach clinics).
• Doing fascinating research in your area of interest (e.g. pediatric cancers, adult diabetes, federal policy changes, big data & informatics applications, etc.).
• Receiving excellent reviews on independent review sites.
• Open to communication about potential capstone projects & theses.

Practicums & Internships

Clinical practicums and internships are a critical part of the MSN curriculum. Take a little bit of time when you’re looking at programs to investigate how they’re structured. You can also ask the admissions coordinator the following questions:

• Does the School have established partnerships with clinical sites (e.g. hospitals)? Are those sites within convenient commuting distance? What kind of nursing is being done there?
• Does the School expect you to arrange the practicums & preceptors? This is a common expectation in online RN to MSN programs.
• Do nursing administration, management & informatics students have access to internships in major/complex healthcare organizations?
• Do RN to MSN alumni end up working in places where they’ve completed practicums or internships? How much are they being paid?

Hands-On Training & Support

These factors are especially important for anyone considering an MSN specialty that involves clinical work (e.g. nurse practitioner options). In addition to arranging clinical practicums, reputable RN to MSN programs will also provide opportunities for you to:

• Train in simulation labs
• Practice physical exams
• Conduct assessments
• Get hands-on experience in important procedures (e.g. suturing)
• Receive continuous feedback from your faculty supervisor

How to Find the Right RN to MSN

RN to MSN Programs: Practical Considerations

Picking a Program

Begin with a shortlist! There’s no “standard format” for RN to MSN programs—Schools of Nursing are free to decide how to structure the coursework & practicums—so that means you’ll have to make a few key choices at the start:

• Diploma vs. ADN/ASN vs. Non-Nursing Bachelor’s: Check the admission requirements. Some Schools are willing to accept RNs with a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing; others will only admit candidates who also have a bachelor’s degree (e.g. BA/BS) in a non-nursing subject.
• RN-BSN-MSN vs. Accelerated RN-MSN: Do you want to earn a BS or BSN on the way toward the MSN? It’s an option in some programs! Schools don’t often make this clear—a program titled “RN to MSN” could include two years of BSN study—so it’s best to examine the curriculum carefully. When in doubt, ask the admissions coordinator.
• On-Campus vs. Hybrid vs. Online: You’ll need to decide how much time you can spend studying on (and traveling to) campus. On-campus programs are fairly straightforward, but hybrid programs often involve weekend or evening studies in a real classroom. Finally, even if it’s labeled “online,” NP and APN programs (e.g. nurse midwifery) will often include mandatory on-the-ground training & clinical teaching.

In addition, due to state authorization rules, some online programs are simply unable to accept candidates from certain states. We talk more about this issue in our overview of Online RN to MSN Programs.

Overall Timeline

You should also think about how long it’s going to take you to get the darn thing finished:

• RN-BSN-MSN vs. RN-MSN: In the accelerated RN-MSN, Schools will often fold upper-level undergraduate courses into the master’s curriculum, meaning you can get all of your credits done & dusted quickly (e.g. 2 years). But you may miss out on useful 400-level undergraduate coursework and clinical experiences that RN-BSN-MSN students receive.
• Part-Time vs. Full-Time: Full-time programs can take 2-4 years; part-time programs can stretch into 6 years. This is going to be a personal choice. If you can manage full-time study (e.g. 3 courses per term) while still leaving hours for work and family, then we salute you! But you may want a less hectic schedule.

To help you make your decision, we’ve included estimated timelines for each option in the Program Info & Curriculum section.

Admission Requirements

Got your eye on a particular program? Check the admission requirements to make sure you qualify. In addition to a baseline educational qualification (e.g. diploma, ADN, non-nursing bachelor’s, etc.), Schools of Nursing have other standards:

• Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses: All Schools will want to see that you’ve already completed key coursework and general education credits. Statistics, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology are common prerequisites for RN to MSN programs.
• GPA: The standard requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on prior undergraduate coursework (i.e. a grade of B or above). But this isn’t set in stone. Many Schools may be willing to accept a lower overall GPA if the candidate has good grades in science courses or considerable RN experience.
• Letters of Reference: Try to make these as compelling as possible. Schools usually like to see academic and professional recommendations. If you’ve been out of school for a long time, they may be willing to accept professional references only.
• Résumé or CV: If you’re weak on academics, go strong on your work. Do you hold any professional memberships? Have you collaborated in any committees or groups? Can you highlight unique RN experiences (e.g. working in an acute care team in a high-pressure ward)?
• Writing Samples: Schools often ask for a personal statement or a 500-word essay explaining your goals. Some Schools may also want to see a professional sample (e.g. published paper, clinical document, etc.).
• MAT or GRE Scores: Some Schools will want these; some won’t. Scores may also be waived if you have a high GPA or years of experience.
• International Students: Schools usually have an entire website section devoted to international student requirements. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll almost always be required to submit TOEFL scores.
• Extra Certifications: CPR certification is often required. Programs in specific specialties (e.g. acute care) may have other stipulations (e.g. ACLS certification).
• RN Requirements: You’ll need to hold a current RN license. Many programs—especially degrees that involve clinical practice—will have specific experience requirements (e.g. 1 year minimum). Some Schools may also want you to have liability insurance.

APRN State Licensure & National Certification

We believe Schools should always be clear about state licensure & national certification. Almost all RN to MSN programs are deliberately designed to prepare you for any relevant certification exams and state licensure requirements (e.g. clinical hour minimums), but don’t take it as a given. If you can’t find this information stated on the RN to MSN program website, go ahead and ask the admissions coordinator.

• We particularly favor programs that post certification exam pass rates. (A number of Schools will track this statistic every year.)
• If you’re considering an online program in another state, check the fine print on state licensure preparation.

RN to MSN Programs: Saving on Tuition

Why Graduate Student Loan Debt Sucks

Graduate programs in nursing can result in an excellent Return on Investment (ROI). Your newly minted MSN and national certification will open all kinds of employment doors.

However, it’s no secret that nurses—even ones in advanced positions—tend to be paid less than other healthcare professionals. APRNs who choose to work in low-income areas and rural districts have it even harder. Are you responsible for a family, a mortgage, and other financial burdens (e.g. car repayments)? You don’t want to be saddled with $40,000 in debt while you’re starting out in your new job.

You may not be able to avoid graduate loans entirely, but there are lot of ways you can keep the numbers down. Check out the Guide on How to Pay for Nursing School and have a look at the following ideas…

Part-Time Study

Pretty much every single RN to MSN program will allow you to study part-time. You can continue to work at your job, earn your regular salary, and impress your supervisors with your commitment.

Be sure to talk to your employer about your education plans and your projected study schedule (e.g. 6 years). Even if you don’t have advanced licensure & certification, there may be ways you can qualify for smaller promotions & pay raises during your MSN.

In-State Tuition Discounts

We strongly urge you to consider RN to MSN programs at public universities in your state of residence. That’s because public universities usually offer hefty tuition breaks to in-state residents, including graduate students. Some public universities offer tuition discounts to students in neighboring states and military & veterans. Overall, that might mean you end up paying less than half of what out-of-state residents are paying.

Public Schools of Nursing with bigger & better facilities (e.g. academic health centers) and snazzy simulation labs will often be more expensive than their less well-endowed counterparts, but they’ll still be more affordable than private options.

Hybrid or Online Programs

Hybrid and online programs give you the option to work during the day and study at night/weekends. You’ll save a huge amount in commuting costs to the campus. And you’ll have the exact same qualification on your résumé as on-campus students.

Want even better news? Many Schools offer discount rates to online students (even out-of-state residents). That’s often because they’re not charging you for typical on-campus fees.

Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness Programs

Apply for as many scholarships & graduate fellowships as you can! School of Nursing scholarships, general university scholarships, external scholarships, travel awards—every little bit is going to help your budget. In particular, look for:

• Unique Nursing Scholarships: Have you served in the Peace Corps? Do you want to work in home healthcare? How about psychiatric nursing and veterans? There may be a nursing scholarship just for you!
• Private University Scholarships: Because they can’t offer the same tuition breaks as public universities, private Schools of Nursing will often have superb scholarships (e.g. 100% of tuition). Many of these awards are based on financial need & merit.
• Loan Forgiveness & Repayment Programs: Ask the School of Nursing about options. A number of Schools offer the Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Program, which repays up to 85% of tuition for MSN graduates who find full-time employment as nurse educators. Other nurses who commit to working in public service may be able to have their direct federal student loan debt forgiven.

Employer Partnerships

A lot of Schools of Nursing have established academic & research partnerships with healthcare institutions and private companies. If you’re employed by one of them (e.g. academic hospital), you may be eligible for employer-sponsored tuition breaks, loan repayment & forgiveness, and/or staggered payment plans on the RN to MSN program.

Chat to your HR representative or supervisor about your options. Employers are often happy to subsidize graduate education in return for a work commitment.

RN to MSN Return on Investment (ROI)

The Price of RN to MSN Programs

How to Calculate Tuition

You can get a ballpark figure on RN to MSN tuition by multiplying the total number of credits (e.g. 44 credits) by the per credit tuition rate (e.g. $800 per credit hour). When you’re putting together your final budget, you’ll also need to consider the following:

• Tuition: The total number of credits will include the MSN plus credits for any bridge coursework (e.g. upper-level undergraduate courses).
• Fees: On top of tuition, you’ll be expected to pay for a lot of additional fees (e.g. technology, student services, clinical fees, etc.). Be aware that School of Nursing fees can really add up!!
• Extra Costs: You’ll also have costs related to travel to practicum sites, technology needs, liability insurance, certification, and the application itself.
• Choice of Specialty: Nurse practitioner and clinical specialties will a) have more credits b) often have higher per credit rates than administrative & informatics options.

If you’re worried about money, we highly recommend you consider an RN to MSN program from a public university in your state of residence or one that is primarily online.

Public University In-State Tuition

We examined the public universities in our Top 20 RN to MSN rankings to uncover some figures. As you might guess, tuition for in-state residents is always going to be the most affordable option:

• Lowest In-State Tuition Rate: South Dakota State University and University of Central Florida Online had the lowest in-state per credit tuition rates (~$325).
• Highest In-State Tuition Rate: University of Hawaii-Manoa (~$1,000) and University of Pittsburgh (~$1,090) had the highest in-state rates. However, we should point out that UPitt is technically a public-private hybrid.

Generally speaking, many public universities were hovering in the realm of $550-$800 for an in-state per credit tuition rate. The mean in 2019 was $620.

Public University Out-of-State Tuition

Schools that offer online RN to MSN programs (e.g. UPitt, University of Alabama-Birmingham, and the University of Arizona) often don’t have a separate tuition rate for out-of-state residents. Of the schools that do:

• Lowest Out-of-State Tuition Rate: South Dakota State University and University of Central Florida Online had the lowest out-of-state per credit tuition rates (~$625-$695).
• Highest Out-of-State Tuition Rate: George Mason University, the University of Maryland Baltimore, and UH Manoa had the highest out-of-state per credit tuition rates (~$1,420-$1,895).

Tuition rates in the middle of the pack were typically between $700-$1,300. The mean in 2019 was $1,001.

Private University Tuition

Private universities charge more, but they may also have great clinical training experiences, more employment pathways, and a better reputation in your area. In 2019, here’s how our rankings played out:

• Lowest Tuition Rate: Drexel Online had the lowest per credit tuition rate ($968), followed by Seton Hall University ($1,259).
• Highest Tuition Rate: Vanderbilt had the highest rate ($1,556).

Even with online options, you’re probably going to be looking at a minimum of $900 per credit for a private school. The mean in 2019 was $1,340.

RN vs. MSN Salary Estimates

Pay Statistics

The good ole U.S. government keeps track of salary numbers for nurses. At the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you’ll find data on Pay for RNs and Pay for Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners as well as state & area data. In 2017, RNs were earning (on average) $70,000 per year and APRNs were earning $110,930. In other words, APRNs were earning around 37% more than RNs in annual salary. Those numbers are big.

Why the MSN Specialty Matters

Having said that, we want to point out that earning power for MSN graduates is not the same across all specialties and realms. Just to take a few examples:

• Because of their extra responsibilities, NNPs and nurse midwives typically earn more than FNPs.
• Nursing educators in specialty hospitals usually earn more than educators in colleges & universities.
• APRNs working in cities where there is a high cost of living earn much more than MSN graduates in rural communities.

Choose wisely. You’ll find detailed salary data on each specialty page of our website (see the Specialties section in the menu bar).

Salary Earned Over Time

Another thing to consider is your earning power over time:

• There’s an increasing trend among employers to raise the educational requirement for a lot of mid-level nursing jobs. Without a BSN or an MSN, you may be stuck on a lower-level rung forever.
• Having an MSN in your pocket will help qualify you for leadership promotions and top-level jobs in management (e.g. CNE, CNO, etc.).
• A master’s degree can also enable you to earn a DNP later down the line (if needed).

It’s all about climbing the career ladder. For example, in the Nursing Administration specialty, we break down average salaries for mid-level positions (i.e. jobs you might have immediately after graduation) and high-level positions (i.e. jobs you could qualify for in 5 years). A top-level administrator can be earning over and above $100,000 a year.

How to Make a Final Decision

1. Stop

Take your time before you make a decision. Consider the pros & cons (costs vs. ROI), the time commitments, the travel, and the training, and then put together a shortlist. If a School starts pressuring you, back away. There are lots of wonderful RN to MSN programs out there, including online and hybrid options. You’re in control.

2. Talk

Discuss your plans with as many people as you can. That group includes your employer (can they help with tuition?); your colleagues (have they studied for an MSN?); alumni (what did they love & hate about the program?); the admissions coordinator (can they give you a sample budget of tuition & fees?); your partner (are they willing to support you?); and anyone else you can think of!

3. Enroll

Follow your passion. The best RN to MSN program is going to be the one that fits your career goals, your research interests, your calendar, your licensure & certification needs, and your dreams. As long as you choose a School of Nursing with strong quality markers, you’ll be rewarded.