The Best RN-to-MSN Programs (No BSN Required)

If you’re a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree in nursing(ADN) looking to advance your career by pursing a master of science in nursing (MSN), an RN-to-MSN program is a great option.

These specialized bridge programs allow you to bypass a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and streamline your path to a graduate-level nursing degree. We’ve identified and ranked the nation’s top RN-to-MSN programs to help you make the best decision for your nursing career.

When assessing which program may be right for you, use the information in the following sections to narrow down your top choices.

Accreditation is a review process where a third-party governing body evaluates a program or school. An agency validates that an RN-to-MSN program meets national quality standards and follows the industry’s best practices.

Choosing an accredited RN-to-MSN program is a crucial component to having a successful career trajectory. Attending a program that lacks accreditation puts you at an unnecessary risk for your valuable time, money, and resources. This guide lists only accredited programs.

While an unaccredited program may seem easier or cheaper, employers will only consider graduates from programs with accreditation. Attending an accredited program also ensures your eligibility for licensure. Credits from non-accredited curriculums rarely transfer to officially recognized programs.

Additionally, should you consider financial aid, federal grants and loans are only offered to accredited nursing schools and programs. So, enrolling in an RN-to-MSN program with accreditation is the most economical and efficient course.

Many factors can come into play in identifying the best RN-to-MSN program for you. Some considerations include your career goals, background, finances, learning style, and the program itself. Understanding a school’s admission requirements, academic reputation, specializations, and class format can help you decide.

Finding a program that offers the area of specialty you desire will require research. The most common nurse practitioner (NP) specialty is a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Other popular fields include nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist (CNS), nurse educator, informatics nurse, and psychiatric mental health NP (PMHNP).

Class format can vary depending on the school. RN-to-MSN programs offer flexible online options with accelerated or decelerated course choices to balance your education, work, and personal life.

You want the best value for your investment of time and money, so it’s important to explore all costs and financial options. Grants, loans, and scholarships can help you pay for school.

A growing number of RN-to-MSN programs have online options. Depending on your circumstances and needs there are advantages and disadvantages to online courses.

Some online ADN-to-MSN programs require you to be physically present for onboarding or have in-person components for classes, while others offer coursework entirely online.

However, remember that most MSN programs, including those with 100% online coursework, require hands-on clinical hours providing supervised patient care and learning in a skills lab.

Some schools will support finding clinical placements in your local area, while others may rely on the student to make the arrangements. Ensure that you can coordinate clinicals in your local community.

Earning an MSN is an excellent investment in your future, but like other investments, it can have a large price tag. It can be challenging for an RN-to-MSN student to pay for education with savings or current earnings.

There are plenty of organizations and institutions that understand the importance of the issue and have your back. They want to set you up for success.

Identifying available financial aid options can ease a lot of financial burden. Relief can be offered in the form of grants and scholarships. Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you do not have to pay these off.

Nursing student loans, on the other hand, must be paid back, often with interest. The federal government offers both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, while private institutions such as banks and credit unions offer private loans.

Loan forgiveness and consolidation programs are also offered to nursing students. Some nurse-specific loan forgiveness options include:

When estimating costs beyond tuition, consider whether you must adjust your work schedule during clinicals or when studying for exams. Remember to factor in other program expenses, such as textbooks and any equipment you may need. You may also have expenses related to clinical placements, including tolls, gas, parking, and meals on clinical days.