The Top RN-to-MSN Programs in Maryland

Are you a registered nurse (RN) seeking a higher salary, more professional autonomy, and a desire to help patients by diagnosing conditions and prescribing treatments? In that case, you can earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) through an RN-to-MSN program. This guide to the top RN-to-MSN programs in Maryland explains how this degree can advance your goals.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best Maryland RN-to-MSN programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

Best Maryland RN-to-MSN Programs and Schools

RN-to-MSN Courses and Curriculum

RN-to-MSN programs allow nurses without a BSN to complete both a BSN and an MSN degree in one program. Many of these bridge programs are fast-paced, covering the material more quickly than a traditional BSN program. As an RN, you've learned about many of the BSN topics on the job from a practical perspective, so you must have RN experience to apply.

The curriculum covers advanced BSN topics during the first portion of the program. As with a traditional undergraduate nursing program, you will also complete clinical experience.

Because an MSN prepares nurses to order tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments, the curriculum covers these topics in depth for the remainder of the program. The curriculum includes health assessment, advanced physiology, and pharmacology, plus advanced topics in quality improvement, policy and population health, advanced nursing theory and practice, and nursing research.

• Advanced health assessment: Students learn how to diagnose health conditions, identify symptoms, order diagnostic tests, and perform differential diagnoses.
• Community and population health: This course covers the theory of population health and how to promote health throughout an entire community. It includes epidemiology and health education in the community context.
• Nursing leadership: This topic reviews different theories of leadership and how they apply them in a nursing setting. Most classes on nursing leadership rely heavily on reviewing case studies of effective or ineffective nursing leadership.
• Health informatics: Health informatics includes understanding and applying information and data to support evidence-based care. You will learn how to collect, analyze, and present data to drive quality improvement.
• Advanced pharmacology: This course covers how medications work in the human body and the ethical and legal aspects of prescribing medications. Students learn how to safely prescribe medications.
• Population-specific topics: MSN programs offer courses on a specific population, such as family, pediatric, nurse midwifery, or adult-gerontology. Your program will include classes addressing your population’s needs.

Maryland Nursing Careers and Salaries

Once you have a master's in nursing, Maryland requires passing the certification examination for most roles, such as becoming a nurse practitioner in your selected area of specialty, a clinical nurse specialist, or a nurse midwife.

Nurse educators are not required to have a board certification to practice. You must have a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) to become a nurse anesthetist in all states.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) earn considerably more than RNs, approximately $30,000 more per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Maryland is a full practice authority state, so APRNs can practice independently and enjoy more professional autonomy. Maryland has an overall higher cost of living than the national average, so if you are comparing salary offers from different states, be sure to take that into consideration.

Source: BLS, May 2022

Most MSN graduates become nurse practitioners, primarily family nurse practitioners. Between 2020 and 2030, Projections Central anticipates a 36% increase in nurse practitioner employment in Maryland. Nurse practitioners in Maryland earned a median annual salary of over $100,000.

Source: BLS, May 2022

Applying to a Maryland RN-to-MSN Program

Applying to an RN-to-MSN program in Maryland requires an associate degree in nursing (ADN), an RN license, and at least some RN experience. The exact requirements vary by program, but most require at least one year.

Admission Materials

The admissions process typically requires an ADN transcript, an RN license, at least two references, a current resume, an application with an essay or personal statement, and possibly a background check. Many schools allow you to apply with an unofficial transcript, but if accepted, you must have an official transcript sent before you can attend.

GPA Requirement

Most MSN programs in Maryland require at least a 3.0 GPA, and some more selective schools require or strongly prefer a 3.2 GPA or higher. If your GPA is borderline, talk to the admissions staff, as you may have other factors in your background that could compensate, including professional recognition, professional development, or other factors that indicate your nursing potential.

Other Requirements

The admissions department looks for evidence that you can excel as an NP. Include as much concrete and measurable evidence as you can in your application and on your resume, such as committee roles, credentials, professional development, any recognition you received as a student or an RN, or relevant volunteer work.

Why Is RN-to-MSN Program Accreditation Important?

To get your state nursing license, you must graduate from a program that was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . Either accreditation is valid for a master's program and identifies nursing programs that meet industry standards in Maryland or other states.

Accreditation means that the accrediting organization has thoroughly reviewed the program and school to make sure that graduates are qualified to practice nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland RN-to-MSN Programs

How long does it take to earn an RN-to-MSN in Maryland?

Most RN-to-MSN programs in Maryland take approximately 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether you need to take any prerequisite courses and if you attend as a full- or part-time student.

What can Maryland nurses do with an MSN?

Most nurses who earn an MSN become APRNs, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse midwives. Others earn their MSN in nursing education or nursing leadership to teach or lead nursing departments. Some go on to earn a doctorate, the highest nursing degree.

Do RNs with an MSN make more money in Maryland?

NPs and other APRNs make considerably more money in Maryland than RNs in the state, approximately $35,000 more a year. The BLS reports a median annual salary of about $89,000 for RNs in Maryland and $125,000 for nurse practitioners.

Is earning an RN-to-MSN worth it in Maryland?

Determining whether a program is worth it depends on your circumstances and goals. Some possible outcomes for attending an RN-to-MSN program in Maryland include earning a higher salary as an APRN or having more professional autonomy and impact.

How much does an RN-to-MSN cost in Maryland?

Tuition varies for RN-to-MS programs in Maryland, with private schools and out-of-state tuition costing considerably more. You can anticipate paying approximately $300-500/credit for public in-state tuition, $500-800/credit for out-of-state tuition, and $600-1,200/credit for private school tuition. However, financial aid can make a considerable difference, and working in a medically-underserved area after graduation may make you eligible for loan forgiveness.