Online RN to MSN Programs in NY: Choosing Top Schools

Profiling Three of New York’s Top RN to MSN Programs

Investing in your nursing career by enrolling in an RN to MSN bridge program in New York can lead to increased earning potential, career growth, and expanded leadership opportunities. Whether you’re looking for an online, hybrid, or in-person program, this guide will help you find the right fit.

RN to MSN programs in New York are designed to accommodate working professionals through online coursework, hybrid formats, and flexible clinical placements. However, most programs will require in-person clinicals at approved healthcare facilities.

If you’re already a working RN, earning an MSN will help you elevate your clinical practice, increase your salary, and open doors to leadership positions. New York’s diverse healthcare landscape—ranging from major hospitals in Manhattan to rural health centers in upstate communities—provides countless opportunities for MSN graduates.

Here are some top programs to consider:

Student Support: FAQs About RN to MSN Programs in New York

Though you now have a better understanding of some of your potential program options, you probably have more lingering questions about course information, financial aid, career trajectory, and much more. We’ve gathered some of the most common FAQs from RN to MSN students and compiled detailed answers below.

What Can You Do with an MSN in New York?

As a nurse practitioner, you can work in:

• Acute care
• Adult health
• College health
• Community health
• Family health
• Gerontology
• Holistic health
• Neonatology
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Oncology
• Palliative care
• Pediatrics
• Perinatology
• Psychiatry
• School health
• Women’s health

Nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives also need an MSN degree to practice.

The state of New York recognizes four types of nurses: licensed practical nurses (LPN); registered nurses (RN); nurse practitioners (NP), which requires a master’s degree; and clinical nurse specialists (CNS), which requires a master’s or doctorate degree.

As a CNS, you can work in adult health, pediatrics, psychiatric and mental health, and oncology. You can also expand into nursing administration, nursing education, forensic nursing, and nursing informatics. If you want to advance your career even further, you can enroll in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Will I Earn My Bachelor’s Degree During My RN to MSN Program?

Some RN to MSN programs in New York allow you to earn your bachelor’s in nursing while you’re working toward your advanced degree. For example, Roberts Wesleyan University offers an online program that allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree and your master’s in nursing education or nursing leadership administration.

Columbia University has an accelerated nursing program designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing who want to earn an MSN. You’ll also need to complete prerequisite coursework—such as psychology, statistics, and anatomy—from an accredited college or university.

How Will an RN to MSN Program in New York Prepare Me for More Opportunities?

In general, the skills you gain from completing your RN to MSN program in New York will prepare you to take on leadership positions in teaching, clinical consultation, clinical research, and nursing management and administration. The skills you hone will, of course, vary depending on your specialization or area of concentration.

For example, the curriculum at New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing includes a core of nursing theory, research, statistics, population-focused care and issues and trends within healthcare delivery. According to the school’s website, students learn to make evidence-based decisions related to their advanced role, advocate for universal access to high-quality and cost-effective healthcare and collaborate with members of their professional teams.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an RN to MSN Program in New York?

If you decide you want to be a full-time student in your RN to MSN program in New York, it generally takes up to four semesters to earn your BSN to MSN degree. For example, full-time students complete a 12-month program to earn their BS at the University of Rochester’s School of Nursing.

Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, you can then continue on the MS program—which takes another 12 months to complete. Part-time New York RN to MS students usually take three years or six to nine semesters to complete a program.

How Affordable are RN to MSN Programs in New York?

Tuition costs for an RN to MSN program in New York vary depending on student service fees, location, program type, and the number of credits you take each semester. Although tuition can get pricey, especially in an already expensive state, you might find it could pay off later on.

The state of New York offers various grants, scholarships, and loans to help students pay for their RN to MSN program. For example, the Community Health Care Services Foundation offers LPNs and RNs a scholarship of up to $6,000.

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation also offers financial aid—even to those who are studying part-time. RN to MSN students in New York can apply for loan forgiveness, tuition assistance, and work-study programs.

If you’re currently working in the healthcare field, some employers may also pay for tuition costs if you agree to work for them for a period of time. Get a detailed rundown of options to pay for your RN to MSN program in New York with our nursing scholarship guide and financial aid guide.

RN vs. MSN Salary & Career Path in New York