Find the Top Online RN to MSN Programs in PA
For registered nurses (RNs) looking to take on positions of greater responsibility, and/or more specialization, one great path is earning an MSN. In Pennsylvania, an online RN to MSN bridge program can help save you time, money, and stress by letting you study remotely. Read on to explore some of Pennsylvania’s top online RN to MSN programs, and see if one of them might be a good fit for you.
Reviewing Online RN to MSN Degrees in Pennsylvania
When searching for online RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania, you have several factors to consider. One common concern for online nursing students is how an online program handles clinical experiences. Many online RN to MSN programs function as hybrid programs, with clinicals taking place at nearby healthcare facilities. Others cater to working nurses whose professional experience is used in place of clinicals. Other factors to consider include cost, specialization, accreditation, and more. Below are three top online RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania to consider when starting your research.
Wilson College
Wilson College offers an online RN to MSN program with tracks in Education or Leadership and Management. The program is designed for nurses with a diploma or associate degree and at least three years of experience. No clinical hours are required, providing flexibility for working professionals. It covers areas such as curriculum planning, student assessment, policy development, and healthcare finance. Whether you choose the Education or Leadership track will determine many of your curriculum requirements in the program. Completion of the program can lead to roles such as nurse educator, clinical instructor, nurse manager, or chief nursing officer.
Duration: 3 Years
Mode: Online
Cost: $590/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- A diploma or associate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university, a minimum of three years of nursing experience, or a clinical recommendation
- Active RN license in the state in which you practice
- GPA of 3.0 (A lower GPA may be accepted upon interview and conditions set at the discretion of the program director.)
- Resume
Curriculum:
- Interpersonal Dynamics
- Advanced Practice – Roles/Concepts
- Ethics and Healthcare Regulations
- Introduction to Research Methodologies
- Generating and Using Evidence in Healthcare
- Master’s Project
- Concentration courses in Education OR Leadership
Wilkes University
Wilkes University offers an online RN to MSN program, allowing registered nurses with an associate degree to advance to a master’s degree. The program provides three nurse practitioner concentrations for you to choose from: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. It includes comprehensive clinical placement support, is 100% online (excluding clinicals, which take place at a healthcare facility), and can be completed in approximately three years. No GRE or GMAT is required, and financial aid is available.
Duration: 3 Years
Mode: Online
Cost: $729/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN with a 3.0 GPA) with official transcripts from an institution with programmatic (ACEN, NLNAC, CCNE) and regional accreditation
- A current unencumbered RN license; APRN license if appropriate
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Check state authorization
Curriculum:
- Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing for the Graduate Nursing Student
- Leadership and Management Practicum for the Graduate Nursing Student
- Graduate Academic Writing for Nursing Professionals
- Concentration courses
Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University’s flexibility and affordability make its fully online RN to MSN program one of the best RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania. Designed for students with ADNs, the school prides itself on providing the individualized attention of a small school and the educational opportunities of a comprehensive research university. Students receive 42 credit hours for having a nursing license, and RMU will transfer up to 90 credits in total. After completing the remaining courses to earn a bachelor’s, students then work toward 37 credits of MSN coursework. Upon completing their accelerated BSNs, students can select an MSN specialty in nursing education or nursing leadership.
Duration: 2 Years
Mode: Online
Cost: $745/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- GPA of 2.5 or higher in nursing courses
- Unencumbered nursing license
Curriculum:
- Ethics/Legal Issues
- Nursing Informatics
- Adv. Physical Assessment & Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
- Clinical Focus Seminar & Practicum (clinical hours)
- Applied Statistics
- NURS6200: Research for Adv. Nursing Roles
- Classroom Teaching Practicum (clinical hours)
- Clinical Teaching Practicum (clinical hours)
- Theory of Learning
- Curriculum Design
- Health Policy & Economics
FAQs About RN to MSN Online Programs in Pennsylvania
Applying to an RN to MSN program is a big step, so it’s normal to have questions. Most students in your position do. To that end, below are some of the most commonly asked questions from prospective RN to MSN students and their answers for you to consider:
What Can You Do with an MSN in Pennsylvania?
An MSN opens career paths as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators, forensic nurses, nursing administrators, and in nursing informatics. Working as a nurse practitioner, the fastest-growing occupation in the U.S., allows you to treat patients directly and take on leadership roles in patient care. To be a nurse anesthetist, however, you must now complete a DNP program, although many nursing schools in Pennsylvania now offer this program.
Will I Earn My Bachelor’s Degree During My RN to MSN Program?
The programs featured above all award a BSN as well as an MSN, but some schools do not confer a bachelor’s degree along with an MSN since programs for those with bachelor’s degrees in another subject often skip over the BSN. Others offer an accelerated BSN to MSN program for those with a bachelor’s in another field. Other programs, like the one at Wilkes University, offer a pass-through program for nurses holding an ADN that only awards a master’s degree.
How Will an RN to MSN Program in Pennsylvania Prepare Me for More Opportunities?
MSN programs heavily emphasize leadership and evidence-based practice and are concerned with improving patient outcomes. NP programs build on your RN experience in taking charge of patient care and equip you for leadership in health assessment and diagnostic testing. Coursework, like Bloomsburg’s course plan for family nurse practitioners, often emphasizes diagnostics and care across the lifespan. Programs in administration and education study big-picture aspects of healthcare and focus on policy and technology management.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an RN to MSN Program in Pennsylvania?
The average RN to MSN program takes two years, but nurses without BSNs may take three or four years. The best RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania highlighted above can typically be completed in two to four years of full-time enrollment. The number of transfer credits also affects the length of your program, so talk to an admissions counselor to get a better idea of how long it will take you in a specific program.
How Affordable are RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania?
MSN degrees usually cost at least $40,000 in tuition. Many schools, such as the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State, are more expensive. Online and accelerated options can help reduce costs by avoiding on-campus living expenses and additional student fees and allowing you to finish your degree more quickly. With that said, be sure to look into financial aid and scholarship opportunities to reduce your total cost burden.
Ranking the Best Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs in Pennsylvania
While everyone’s definition of “best” will differ, our data science team created a detailed methodology for ranking the best online RN to MSN bridge programs. We consider several key factors, including ease and variety of online learning options, quantity and quality of student support, tuition costs and availability of financial aid, and graduation rates and time to completion. With that in mind, see which online RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania stand out.
Wilson College
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Private
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Private
Pennsylvania RN vs. MSN Salary & Career Comparison
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Pennsylvania | $64,820 | $82,780 | $109,740 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Pennsylvania | $99,530 | $126,140 | $162,820 |
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 | Pennsylvania | 148,790 | 155,810 | 7,020 | 4.70% | 8,890 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Pennsylvania | 8,010 | 11,430 | 3,420 | 42.70% | 770 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
