RN to BSN/MSN Education (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to go from RN-to-MSN? ›

Most RN-to-MSN online programs take 30-36 months to finish. Many specialty areas require learners to complete clinical hours, which can extend completion time in the program.

An MSN is a valuable degree that can open doors to leadership positions, advanced practice roles, and countless other fulfilling career options in the healthcare industry. It can offer you the chance to specialize in a particular area of nursing and gain expertise in your chosen field.

Pros and Cons of RN-to-MSN vs Direct Entry

Allows nurses with associate degrees or diplomas to pursue an MSN without earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) first. Accelerated programs are available, saving time and money compared to earning a BSN and then an MSN separately.

The 4+1 program allows School of Nursing and Health Professions students to simultaneously start work on their MSN degree while earning their BSN.

The choice an RN makes as to whether to pursue a BSN or an MSN comes down to where they want to take their career. For example, if they want to be in clinical work long term, a BSN may be ideal. But if they aspire to grow into leadership and managerial roles, an MSN may be ideal.

If work and other responsibilities already have you pressed for time, an RN-to-BSN program will be less demanding. MSN programs are usually more difficult to get into than BSN programs, and more prestigious MSN programs are especially competitive. Applying to an MSN program also requires nursing experience.

Salary differences can be pretty significant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for registered nurses totals $75,330 per year, while master's degree-prepared advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) earn a median annual salary of $117,760.

Ask A Nurse: MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs Are Changing To DNP Programs By 2025.

MSN degree holders are not necessarily NPs. Many MSN graduates may wish to sit for a certified nurse practitioner exam. However, other MSN earners may wish to pursue the administrative angle of a nursing career.

For example, in many hospitals and outpatient centers, you need an MSN degree to take on an administration, leadership or supervisory role. (While you may not be interested in a leadership role just yet, it is not uncommon for nurses to gravitate toward these types of roles over time.)

Do you have to take NCLEX again for MSN? ›

One perk of earning your MSN as a BSN-prepared nurse is that you won't have to retake the NCLEX after graduating with your master's degree. However, you might decide to earn additional nursing certifications if you would like to enhance your nursing knowledge and career qualifications.

To enroll in a DNP program, you must have completed a BSN or MSN degree. If you don't have a BSN degree, you can't take a direct path from RN to DNP. However, unlike many other advanced degrees, Franklin's BSN to DNP program allows those holding a BSN to advance directly to a DNP without completing a master's degree.

The length of most master's in nursing programs is two to three years, but completion times vary based on a student's schedule and preferences. For example, many who pursue a master's degree in nursing already are healthcare professionals, so they may choose to take classes part time while they work.

To work as a nurse, you must have a nursing license, which you can get after passing the N-CLEX. Once you complete an RN to BSN program and pass this exam, you do not need to take any additional tests, but you may want to take one or more professional certification exams.

After completing your BSN, you can pursue an MSN specializing in a field like psychiatric-mental health nursing or family nurse practitioner (FNP) in behavioral health. This will be an ideal path if you want to become an advanced practice nurse (APN) or nurse practitioner (NP) in behavioral health.

RN-to-MSN programs are hard and require a lot of time studying and completing clinicals. While it is possible to work while enrolled in one of these programs, it takes careful planning and good time management skills.

In 2022, 17.4% of the nation's registered nurses held a master's degree and 2.7% held a doctoral degree as their highest educational preparation. The current demand for master's- and doctorally prepared nurses for advanced practice, clinical specialties, teaching, and research roles far outstrips the supply.

A post-master's graduate certificate program for NPs is a non-degree program that provides MSN-trained nurses with only the coursework and clinical training necessary to qualify for certification and licensure in an NP specialization. These programs can typically be completed in roughly one to two years.

Getting in to an ASN-to-MSN Degree Program

Students must be able to showcase their dedication and passion for the field of nursing. There are a variety of interesting and flexible degree options for ASN-to-MSN degree seekers.