Online RN to MSN Programs in AZ: Guide to Top Schools
Enrolling in an online RN to MSN program in Arizona can open new opportunities and increase your salary. Explore RN to MSN programs in the state and get insights and information to help you make the right decision for your career. We’ll show you the job and salary outlook for Arizona nurses with master’s degrees and answer some common questions about bridge programs and potential nursing roles.
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Inside Online RN to MSN Degrees in Arizona
If you’re a registered nurse ready to advance your career and enhance your education, your journey can start with finding the best RN to MSN program for you. Bridge programs offer a faster way to earn a master’s degree from an associate or bachelor’s degree base.
RN to MSN programs will sometimes have an online component, ranging from all classwork taking place online to some online courses that require you to attend in person. For Arizona colleges and universities, there aren’t many online or hybrid RN to MSN programs — only two that we found met those requirements.
We’ve profiled both below, as well as an on-campus program so you can compare.
Arizona State University
ASU offers an online RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) bridge program, designed for nurses with an associate degree who want to earn a graduate-level education without a BSN. The program includes two bridge courses and two practicums, and classes prepare you for roles in healthcare, education, research, and informatics, among other nursing fields. ASU program goals include encouraging personal leadership styles and addressing policy and practice issues on the job. Faculty includes instructors with real-world experience who have won awards in the field of nursing. The flexible online format supports working professionals.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online
Cost: Programtuition: $21,780
Admissions Requirements:
- Unencumbered RN license
- Associate degree in nursing with 72 transferable credits
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
- Transcripts and resume
- Faculty interview
- Statistics course with C or better
Curriculum:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Clinical Prevention and Population Health
- Dynamics of Professional Nursing
- Foundations of Patient Safety and Health Care Quality
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Grand Canyon University
The GCU MSN bridge program is for RNs who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field that’s not nursing. For its bridge offerings, GCU features a curriculum that includes more intensive medical and patient care information, along with in-depth dives into research and data that master’s degree earners will use in a healthcare setting. A specialization in nursing leadership is one of several pathways in the GCU’s bridge programs for master’s degrees in nursing, which also includes programs that emphasize health informatics, public health nursing, and adult-gerontology healthcare.
Duration: 18 to 24 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: Tuition: $8,160
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid RN license
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher
Curriculum:
- Nursing Leadership and Inter-professional Collaboration
- Health Promotion and Population Health
- Pathophysiology
- Applied Statistics for Health Care Professionals
- Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
University of Arizona
An on-campus program, the University of Arizona’s master’s in nursing is designed for students who have earned undergraduate degrees but want to change careers at an accelerated rate. Clinical experts in a variety of specialty areas teach courses, offering graduates the skills to provide culture-centric patient care using the best evidence from practice and research. Financial aid is available through the school.
Duration: 15 months
Mode: On-campus
Cost: Tuition: $49,284 (resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid RN license
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA minimum
- Non-nursing bachelor-level degree
- Pass prerequisite courses
Curriculum:
- Evidence-Based Practice Improvement
- Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
- Health Information and Patient Care Technologies
- Healthcare Business Dynamics
- Quality and Safety Management
FAQs About RN to MSN Online Programs in Arizona
You probably have some questions about RN to MSN programs for nursing students. Here are some answers about everything from financial aid to what happens after graduation.
What types of roles can I earn in healthcare with an MSN?
An MSN degree prepares graduates for a variety of careers, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists, along with supervisory roles such as nursing managers and supervisors, directors, and administrators. These types of roles can take place at hospitals, medical clinics, or long-term care facilities, as well as research facilities and educational organizations. An MSN can also prepare you for further education, such as a doctor of nursing practice degree.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my RN to MSN degree?
Yes, there are many ways to make your RN to MSN program more affordable. Grants, scholarships, assistantships, payment plans, and paid internships are all great financial aid options to offset tuition costs. You can find many options through your school and through state-specific sites such as the Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing.
What should I think about when choosing an RN to MSN program?
Consider program cost, length, online vs. in-person format, specialties, admissions requirements, and faculty, then compare this list to what potential schools offer and speak with admissions officers. Stick to accredited programs, including those at Arizona State, the University of Arizona, and Grand Canyon University, which all are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Most importantly, only consider a school that offers the classes, support, and faculty that will prepare you for your career goals.
What are the differences between synchronous and asynchronous online classes?
The differences between these two online delivery systems have to do with scheduling, as synchronous classes are at set times and days while asynchronous courses can be taken on your time, including some 24/7 availability. Although you can likely coordinate synchronous courses around work, family, or personal commitments, many students choose the convenience of asynchronous courses.
Are there different specializations as part of an RN to MSN program?
It depends on the program, but there are options to specialize with your master’s degree based on your own interests. Among the common ones are nursing education, where you earn the knowledge to teach other nurses in college or university classes or as a staff member at a hospital or facility. Nursing administration is also popular, as it teaches leadership and people management skills that are coveted in the industry. There is also nursing informatics, a mix of data, analytics, and technology science whose practitioners can affect policy and care.
Arizona RN vs. MSN Salary & Career Comparison
| Occupation ↕ | Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Arizona | $70,060 | $88,310 | $109,750 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Arizona | $99,220 | $130,960 | $165,930 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation ↕ | Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Arizona | 59,110 | 72,050 | 12,940 | 21.90% | 4,820 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Arizona | 6,540 | 11,200 | 4,660 | 71.30% | 860 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
