Top RN to MSN Programs in New Mexico

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses (RNs) in New Mexico earn, on average, just under $70,000 per year. Nurses with an advanced degree, however, command significantly higher salaries. For example, the average nurse practitioner in New Mexico earned just over $109,000 in 2017, while the average nurse anesthetist made close to $151,000 in that same year. Both of these positions require at least a master’s of science in nursing (MSN).

RN-to-MSN programs allow students to quickly earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, preparing them for specialized and supervisory roles. Depending on your prior education and the learning format you choose, you may potentially earn your MSN in as few as three years.

This page offers an overview of RN-to-MSN programs in New Mexico, including information on admission and licensure requirements, employment outlook for advanced practice nurses, and resources specifically for nursing professionals working in the state. Our guide also features a ranking of the best RN-to-MSN programs in New Mexico.

To enter an RN-to-MSN program, you must hold an RN license. To become an RN in New Mexico, you must complete a state-approved diploma or associate program in nursing, submit to a criminal background check, and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). RNs must renew their license every two years and complete at least 30 hours of professional development to qualify for renewal.

Educational requirements vary by program. Some RN-to-MSN programs admit students with just a diploma in nursing, while others specifically require students to possess an associate degree. In addition, programs may require prospective students to hold a bachelor’s, though they do not require it to be a bachelor’s in nursing. Make sure to contact an individual school’s admissions office for specific information. Generally, online programs do not require any sort of entrance exam for admission.

In addition to postsecondary training, some schools require applicants to possess a certain amount of professional or clinical experience. Students often meet these requirements while working to earn their RN license, but some programs may prefer to admit candidates with at least two years of experience as a licensed practical nurse or RN.

After entering an RN-to-MSN program, you may need to maintain a minimum GPA in your bachelor’s-level courses to receive approval to take graduate-level classes. Many programs require students to earn a 3.5 GPA to continue on an accelerated track.

As mentioned above, RN licensure in New Mexico requires completing a diploma or associate program in nursing and passing both a criminal background check and the NCLEX-RN. More advanced levels of nursing licensure feature additional requirements.

For example, in addition to serving as a licensed RN, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) candidates in the state must also complete a graduate-level program in nursing. These programs must hold accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Instead of earning a graduate degree, you can meet APRN education requirements through training and experience in the armed forces.

APRN candidates require national certification. To receive national certification as a nurse practitioner, you must pass an exam administered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Aspiring nurse anesthetists need to instead pass an exam offered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. The content and nature of these tests varies by your area of specialization, but all require significant preparation.

Out-of-state applicants can apply for an APRN license in New Mexico if they prove they possess at least two years of previous experience as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife in another jurisdiction. All APRNs must renew their license every two years and complete at least 50 hours of professional development prior to renewal. APRNs who hope to prescribe medicine must meet additional clinical experience requirements and submit a separate application requesting prescriptive authority.

After completing an RN-to-MSN program in New Mexico, you can pursue licensure as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife. The increasing demand for healthcare services and the more central role played by APRNs in providing primary care translate to exceptional job prospects for graduates of these programs.

The BLS projects that national employment for nurse practitioners will grow by 36% through 2026, or more than five times faster than the economy as a whole. About 960 nurse practitioners work in New Mexico, earning an average salary of approximately $109,000. By comparison, the annual mean wage for all occupations in the state approaches only $45,000 per year.

While the BLS projects a more moderate rate of 16% growth for nurse anesthetists through 2026, these positions pay significantly more. In 2017, about 40 nurse anesthetists worked in New Mexico, commanding salaries in excess of $150,000.

Finally, the BLS projects that employment for nurse midwives will increase by 21% in the coming years, with New Mexico offering the second-highest concentration of nurse midwife jobs in the entire country. On average, nurse midwives in the state earn $99,870 per year, slightly below the national median salary for these roles.

The University of New Mexico Hospital acts as the state’s only academic medical center. The hospital employs roughly 900 physicians and more than 2,700 registered nurses, housing 13 specialized pediatric departments.

Also located in Albuquerque, Presbyterian Hospital employs close to 600 physicians and just over 1,800 registered nurses. The nonprofit hospital offers a variety of specialized services, including cardiology, oncology, and radiology.

Part of the New Mexico VA Health Care System, the Raymond G. Murphy Medical Center operates both in Albuquerque and through community-based outpatient clinics across the state. In total, the center employs approximately 2,700 full-time staff members.