RN to MSN : Registered Nurse to Master’s of Science in Nursing

More than 500 schools in the United States offer master’s degrees in nursing. Virtually all MSN programs required a bachelor’s degree only a few years ago, but that is not always the case now. As the decades-old nursing shortage continues and demand increases for advanced-practice nurses, many schools have become quite creative in helping active RNs achieve their MSN degrees.

The RN-to-MSN program name is not a uniformly defined one. Depending on how the individual school defines its RN-to-MSN program, it can take one of three forms:

• Diploma or ADN nurse to MSN
• Diploma or ADN nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to MSN
• BSN-prepared nurse to MSN

Virtually all RN-to-MSN programs at any of the three general levels require active RN licensing and clinical experience, and most do not require applicants to take an entrance exam.

There are several online programs available, most of which also do not require an entrance exam. MSN programs could take two years to complete, depending on school, program type, and course load. But, RN-to-MSN programs designed for the diploma or ADN nurse could take longer because of the additional material included.

There are several career paths for an advanced-practice nurse to potentially pursue. Nurse Practitioner programs typically require students to select a specialty, such as acute care, gerontology, adult health, psychiatric nursing, or any other specialty area of practice. Other specialties require specific licensing along with MSN-level preparation. These include:

• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Two national organizations, The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), provide accreditation for nursing programs at all levels and are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Two others, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Division of Accreditation (DOA) and the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, are program-specific.

What careers am I qualified for with a RN to MSN : Registered Nurse to Master’s of Science in Nursing?

• Nurse Practitioner Job Description and Education
• How do I become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)?