RN to MSN programs are perfect for nursing students who want to become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists, but who only have an associate’s degree. Typically, MSN programs require you to have a bachelor’s degree already, but with an RN to MSN program, you’ll earn this degree along the way.
To start studying in an RN to MSN degree program, you must first become a registered nurse, which requires you to complete an accredited degree program, including hands-on clinical work. Some RN to MSN programs also require that you have work experience as a nurse before you apply. Either way, your classes will focus on first helping you earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and then move on to offering more advanced classes surrounding a specialty of your choosing, such as family nursing or geriatrics. Your classes will include both theoretical learning and clinical work to help you learn more about your specialty of choice. The benefit here is that you won’t have to repeat classes that you already took as part of your RN degree program.
There are four options for nurses who want to get an MSN: nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists. Your education will program you for one of these fields, where your daily tasks will combine general nursing (taking patient history, checking vital signs, dressing minor wounds) with more advanced tasks, such as writing prescriptions and diagnosing diseases. The salary you can expect will depend on your specific specialty, but in general, you can expect to make at least $30,000 more than RNs in the same specialty. Some make even more – as a nurse anesthetist you can expect to make well over $100,000, even as a inexperienced nurse. You can also make more money by working as a travel nurse to help facilities deal with nursing shortages or by opening your own practice, with is possible for nurses with MSNs in many states.
American Sentinel University — RN to MSN Chamberlain College of Nursing — RN to MSN Gonzaga University — RN to MSN: Nurse Educator Grand Canyon University — RN to MSN: Healthcare Systems Leadership Grand Canyon University — RN to MSN: Nurse Education Grantham University — RN to MSN Kaplan University — RN to MSN Robert Morris University — RN to MSN Sacred Heart University — RN to MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader Sacred Heart University — RN to MSN: Nurse Education Sacred Heart University — RN to MSN: Patient Care Administrator South University — RN to MSN South University — RN to MSN: Adult Health South University — RN to MSN: Nurse Education Walden University — RN to MSN Walden University — RN to MSN: Education Walden University — RN to MSN: Informatics Walden University — RN to MSN: Leadership and Management Western Governors University — RN to MSN: Leadership and Management Western Governors University — RN to MSN: EducationA nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who provides primary and specialty care to patients. A nurse practitioner is responsible for administering both nursing and wider healthcare services; and, they are licensed to prescribe medications. Becoming a nurse practitioner requires the completion of a master's degree program. Below are the most popular colleges offering online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees.
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