RN-to-MSN nursing leadership and administration program guide

Introduction to RN-to-MSN programs

Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) programs are designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who wish to get a master’s degree (MSN) but who don’t yet have a bachelor’s-level nursing degree. Unlike the traditional route of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) first, nursing professionals now have the option to enter the nurse administration and leadership field with a master’s degree at a faster pace and lower cost.

Adding a nursing leadership or administration focus puts you in a good position to take up a management role, allowing you to effect change, advocate for your patients and staff, participate in committees, and work to improve patient outcomes on a higher level.

These programs are designed for working RNs and are one of the fastest ways to advance your career. Adding a nursing leadership or administration focus puts you in a good position to take up a management role, allowing you to effect change, advocate for your patients and staff, participate in committees, and work to improve patient outcomes on a higher level.

Program requirements vary by school, state, and the number of bridge credits accepted. RN-to-MSN bridge programs are available to RNs with an associate’s degree or certificate in nursing or students with a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field. They typically take around 2 years or 40-46 credit hours to complete.

RN-to-MSN program requirements

To be eligible, students should have a valid RN license and submit official transcripts from previous college courses. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on undergraduate coursework is a common requirement. Other requirements may include documents such as letters of recommendation, a resume of relevant work experience in nursing, and a statement of purpose.

Once MSN candidates are accepted, the state may need them to pass a criminal background check. Afterward, the specialty, school, and state will determine the amount of coursework and clinical hours required to be eligible to take the licensure exam.

Accreditation

Candidates should only enroll in programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This ensures that the degree meets national academic standards. Enrolling in an accredited program qualifies students for federal financial aid and future licensure, while also assuring future employers that graduates have the skills and training needed to practice with their degree.

Program structure and coursework

Admission to, or completion of, this program doesn’t require a BSN, as BSN coursework is already included as part of the RN-to-MSN curriculum, typically making up the first year of the curriculum. This makes the bridge program a favorable option as it takes less time and funds to complete compared to finishing a BSN and specialized MSN separately.

RN to MSN programs generally take 2 to 3 years, or around 40-66 credit hours. The time frame depends on whether students are enrolled full or part time and which previously earned credits transfer over. Specialties are another factor that determines course length. Administration or leadership focused programs are typically shorter than other specialties that require clinical hours.

Typical specializations include:

• Nursing management and executive leadership
• Clinical nurse leader (CNL)
• Nurse administrator

Typical coursework includes:

• Principles of leadership in healthcare organizations
• Public health nursing
• Statistics
• Ethics in healthcare
• Policy, organization and financing of healthcare
• Leadership models for healthcare managers
• Capstone project or practicum

It’s important to take note of any partnerships your school of choice has within the community. Do they partner with local hospitals or care centers for practicums or capstone project experience? If the school only offers an online program, ask how they expect students to complete any practicums or projects. They may partner with organizations that allow this to be done online, or they may have a plan for how to work with employers. Either way, it’s an important topic to discuss with the admissions office or program coordinator before you begin your studies.

Costs of the degree

Tuition costs for an RN-to-MSN program may vary by college, specialty, and location, but the general average falls between $20,000 to $60,000. Here are some factors that can influence tuition costs for an RN-to-MSN program:

Format

When you factor in expenses such as parking, materials, and sometimes out-of-state tuition – online classes can save you money. Online programs or a hybrid of in-person and online is an attractive option for many, compared to traditional learning. There’s a chance online credits still may be the same price, however, or that your specialty may require in-person learning.

Location

The cost of a program is determined by the school, and often differs for in-state or out-of-state tuition. Fortunately, many online programs offer the same tuition regardless of your location, which can save you money if the school you’re interested in is located in a different state than your residence.

Financial aid

Nursing students at all levels are typically eligible for many forms of financial aid. Candidates will encounter federal loans in unsubsidized and subsidized forms, scholarships, grants, or loan forgiveness programs. Eligibility for financial aid will depend on the student’s school, state, academic performance, and local scholarship opportunities. Candidates are encouraged to start applying for scholarships as soon as possible.

Another possible source of financial aid is tuition-reimbursement from employers.

Certification and future careers

There are a wide variety of certifications for all kinds of nursing leadership roles once you’ve achieved an MSN, notably:

• Certified Nurse Leader (CNL) from the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC)
• Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) from the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

RN-to-MSN leadership and administration programs open up many career paths in management. Whether the aim is to be a part of an organization, manage a nursing team or facility, or open a private practice, these are some career paths to consider:

Continuing education

Once a graduate gets their MSN in leadership and administration, they can set their path to earning doctoral degrees, post-graduate certificates, and further qualifications for an almost-endless variety of specializations. MSN holders can choose to specialize in numerous fields, including executive leadership, nursing administration, population health, public health, advanced nursing practice, nursing science and education, and nursing research. Other popular specialty areas among nurse practitioners include primary, family, acute, and psychiatric mental healthcare.

A Ph.D. in nursing, or a Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree is recommended for candidates interested in working as nurse practitioners, university professors, or chief nursing officers.

Probably more common than pursuing a doctorate, is attaining a post-graduate certificate in a specialized area such as health informatics, administration, or nursing education.

Doctorates are viewed as the highest possible qualification level and typically bring access to top-paying salaries within clinical organizations. In Ph.D. and DNP programs, candidates may spend 2 to 4 years enrolled, depending on the type of degree they have.

Candidates who already have advanced nursing degrees can complete MSN-to-DNP programs in 1 to 2 years. It’s common for those who already work in nursing leadership and administration roles to pursue Ph.D. and DNP degrees as the next step in their career.

Probably more common than pursuing a doctorate, is attaining a post-graduate certificate in a specialized area such as health informatics, administration, or nursing education.

Additionally, most states require nurses to accumulate a certain number of continuing education (CE) hours to renew their existing licensure every 2-3 years. Additionally, employers and associations may also require further job-specific certifications.