Advancing Your Nursing Career: Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs

The demand for more highly skilled nurses in the workforce is growing. In order to meet this demand and to advance their careers, many registered nurses are choosing to do an RN to MSN online bridge program. If you are thinking about continuing your education and want to take the fastest and most direct route to a Nursing Master's degree, an accredited online RN to MSN program might be perfect for you. These nursing bridge programs let you earn both your BSN and MSN degree together in one accelerated combined program- thus saving lots of time and money.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for nurses is between $52,000 and $83,000, with the top 10% of nurses earning over $115,000. What kind of degree do you think those top 10% hold? Yes-most have at least a Master of Science in Nursing, and many go on to pursue further education beyond that. Your MSN degree will not only nab you a hefty pay raise, but will also lay the ground for further education such as a PhD or specialized training.

Have you been wishing you could specialize in a particular nursing field, but don't have the necessary qualifications? Your MSN degree will open many doors for you. You'll most likely need your MSN if you want to be a nurse researcher, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse practitioner, just to mention a few. MSN degree holders can choose from dozens of advanced job opportunities.

For example, 42-year old nurse researcher Jenny began her nursing career as an Associate Degree RN. After 19 years of practice, she decided to widen her career options by pursuing an MSN. Since she already had so many years of experience, doing an online RN to MSN Bridge program made sense to her. RN to MSN Bridge programs provide the same education that you would get in a Master in Nursing Science program, but don't require a BSN degree - and are faster than traditional MSN degree programs as well. And since Jenny wanted to continue working full-time, she opted for the convenience and affordability of an online RN to MSN degree program.

After attaining her MSN degree, Jenny was drawn to becoming a nurse researcher. She began her career climb as a clinical data coordinator, progressed rapidly, and is now principal investigator at a university. She designs and conducts scientific studies that are aimed at improving healthcare services, bettering quality of life for chronically ill patients, and encouraging healthy choices.

In a slightly different situation, 33-year old Max has nearly completed his RN to MSN degree program. He is a full-time dad with two young children who also works part time in a family doctor's office. Because of his busy schedule, Max loves the flexibility of the online RN to MSN program. Once he's earned his degree, he plans to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. As a PNP, Max will be able to make diagnoses and prescribe medication. He'll also earn far more than at his current position, which offers no opportunity for advancement.

As for 51-year old Lalit, he already holds an advanced nursing degree from his home country, but lacks the necessary qualifications to practice as a nurse practitioner in the US. He has just enrolled in an online RN to MSN degree program to achieve his dream of becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). As a CNS, Lalit will be able to assist with specialized research, education and advocacy. After attaining his MSN, he'll just need to complete an additional CNS certification for the area of expertise he chooses. In his case, that will be oncology, but a CNS can choose to specialize in psychiatry, cardiology, infectious disease, geriatrics, and several other areas. Lalit chose the RN to MSN program because he wants to be working-and earning-at his full potential as soon as possible. He looks forward to making around $90,000 as a new grad CNS.

If you have been practicing as an RN and are ready to take the next step to advance your career, it's time to explore options for online RN to MSN degree programs. Whether you are drawn towards a particularly exciting specialty that requires an MSN, want to qualify for a hike in salary, or just like the idea of widening your career options, take action today to find an online RN to MSN Bridge program that is right for you.

Learn More About Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs
Take the first step towards earning your MSN degree by requesting program information from nursing schools that offer accredited online RN to MSN degree programs. Featuring the same fully accredited content and expert faculty support available to students learning in the on-campus setting, online RN to MSN bridge programs allow busy nursing professionals the flexibility to learn on their schedule. Explore Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

Programs:

• RN to MS in Nursing - Regis University (Licensed RNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• RN to BS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - RN Track
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• MS in Nursing (RN Required)
• M.S. in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Online
Fresno
Lathrop
Lancaster
Ontario
Los Angeles
Elk Grove
Murrieta
Diamond Bar
San Francisco
San Jose
Bakersfield
Woodland Hills
Costa Mesa
Fairfield
Pasadena
Sacramento
Roseville
Gardena
Salida
Livermore
Rancho Cordova
Oakland
Palm Desert

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• RN to BSN
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• LVN to BSN

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Addison

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

• M.B.A. and M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge)
• B.S. in Nursing (Registered Nurse - R.N. to B.S.N)
• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies

Online

Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university that embodies its founding principles in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.

Programs:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery/Womens Health Nurse Practitioner

Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Vocational Nursing
• Diploma: Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician

Campus Locations:

Vista
San Diego

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD)offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration

Campus Locations:

San Diego
National City
San Marcos

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant

Campus Locations:

San Bernardino
Los Angeles
South Gate
Gardena

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Ontario
Anaheim

Concorde

Campus

We believe hands-on experience is the best way to learn. And at Concorde, you’ll find that a “learn by doing” approach to healthcare training will get you the skills you need to succeed-- and get you into the workforce quickly.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nurse

Campus Locations:

San Bernardino
North Hollywood
Garden Grove
San Diego

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Vocational Nursing
• Certificate in Vocational Nursing
• AS in Registered Nursing

Campus Locations:

Sacramento
San Jose
Antioch
San Leandro

Santa Barbara Business College

Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Santa Maria
Rancho Mirage

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fairfield

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing-Diploma

Campus Locations:

Redding

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

Programs:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse

Campus Locations:

Anaheim
Colton

Saint Xavier University

Campus

Saint Xavier University is a Catholic, coeducational, comprehensive university focused on the liberal arts, and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students across the country.

Programs:

• MSN in Executive Leadership
• MSN in Clinical Leadership
• Nurse Educator Certificate

Campus Locations:

Chicago

Western Governors University

Campus

At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
• M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)
• B.S. in Nursing

Campus Locations:

San Francisco

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles

Keiser University Graduate School

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

Programs:

• Health Care Aide

South University Online

Campus

Designed with the needs of working adult students in mind, South University, Online Programs is built on the same curriculum offered at South University's campus locations. As a student at South University, Online Programs you will receive the same degree, quality instruction, variety of learning options and level of service found at the campus locations.

Programs:

• Nursing (BSN)
• Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (RN-MSN)
• Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (MSN)

Campus Locations:

Savannah