RN to MSN Bridge Programs in Minnesota

From 2007 through 2009 more baccalaureate educated nurses in Minnesota continued their education earning an MSN (12.7%) than did Diploma (5.2%) or Associate (2.8%) educated nurses.* There are only 3 schools based in Minnesota offering RN to MSN programs, which may be a contributing factor to the lower percentages of ADN and diploma educated nurses continuing their education.

Online RN to MSN programs are an option for associate and diploma educated nurses. These program first covers the baccalaureate education and clinical requirements, then bridge into the master's level curriculum. A variety of specialization tracks are offered by the schools offering their RN to MSN program online. RN to MSN programs take about 3 years to complete whether it is online or on-campus. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have expressed their support of online RN to MSN programs and the way they have made higher education so much more accessible to nurses throughout the country. Schools are listed below along with their accreditation and contact methods. If 3 years sounds like too much to take on at this time, there is also the RN to BSN option that is also a step up the nursing career ladder but can be completed in as little as 1 year. Learn about the RN to BSN programs offered in Minnesota.

The job outlook for master's educated nurses in Minnesota is promising. According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing, Annual Nursing Education report from 2008, the need for nursing faculty is extremely high. There has been and is a shortage of nurses in Minnesota and one of the key relief factors is an increase in nursing faculty. To be faculty at a nursing school offering entry-level nursing programs, it is recommended that a master's degree be the minimal education requirement. This is not the only area of nursing that is in need of master's educated nurses. Advanced practice nurse are also in demand as many of the health systems in Minnesota work toward a more cost-effective and high quality strategy for patient care where advanced practice nurses will play a larger role. Frontline nurse managers with a master's education and the leadership training needed to be successful and competent leaders are in need as well.

The bottom line is that the master's nursing education is a key step to several advanced nursing roles. Learn more bout these programs by requesting information from the schools listed below.

*(Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (Health Workforce and Analysis Program), Minnesota Department of Health, January 2007 thru January 2009 Registered Nurse Survey Responses)

RN to MSN Online Programs Offered in Minnesota

Walden University School of Nursing

Graduates of Walden University's M.S. degree program in Nursing have the knowledge and skills to be leaders in their profession. They will be capable of contributing to positive social change in their own communities and throughout the world. Request free information from Walden University to learn more. The Walden University RN - M.S. programs are Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited.

Programs Offered: RN - M.S. (Leadership and Management, Informatics, and Education)

Capella University

Capella University offers a Master's in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Educator Bridge program for registered nurses that have a bachelor's degree in another area and a current RN license. This program is ideal for those that are interested in becoming nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders.

Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Nurse Educator Bridge Program

Click Here to request information from Capella University's MSN Bridge Program.

American Sentinel University - School of Nursing

The RN to MSN completion program is offered online and accepts RN's with current licenses and either a community college degree or a nursing diploma. Courses are open for enrollment once a month. Get more information today.

Programs Offered: RN to MSN Online (Tracks: Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership, Case Management, Nursing Education, and Nursing Informatics), RN to BSN

Click Here to request information from the American Sentinel University's Online RN to MSN Completion Program

Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing - Distance Education

The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools.

Programs Offered: ADN - MSN Bridge Nurse Midwifery (accredited by ACME), ADN - MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (accredited by the NLNAC), and ADN - MSN Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (accredited by the NLNAC). FSMFN also offers an online DNP program accredited by the AACN.

Click Here for more information about the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing distance education programs.

Graceland University

All nursing programs at Graceland University are CCNE accredited. Practicums are completed in the student's community. The FNP specialization requires a four day on-campus focus session during the BSN portion and two more on-campus focus sessions to during the MSN portion.

Online Programs Offered: RN to MSN - (Specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator/Clinical Nurse Specialist) Applicants specify their specialization interest after contacting the schools and during the application process.

Click Here to request information from Graceland University about the RN to BSN/MSN programs.

Loyola University New Orleans - School of Nursing

The MSN - Blend and MSN program are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The Blend program is designed for registered nurses with bachelor's degree in another field who wish to pursue a master's of science in nursing degree.

Program Offered: MSN - Health Care Systems Management, MSN - BLEND Health Care Systems Management

Click Here for information about the Loyola University Online MSN Programs.

Western Governors University - Nursing

Western Governors University offers an online RN to MSN degree program for registered nurses with an associate's degree. WGU is Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as well as Nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.

All of the Western Governors University nursing programs are Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited. The Online RN to MSN programs are currently accepting applications. Request information today.

Programs Offered: RN to BSN, RN to MSN - (Tracks: Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership & Management)

Click Here to request information from WGU's Online RN to MSN Programs

Schools Based in Minnesota Offering RN to MSN Programs

Metropolitan State University - College of Nursing and Health Sciences

CCNE accredited

Programs Offered: RN to MSN, Entry Level MSN ( For those with a bachelor's degree in another field), MSN Leadership and Management (LMN) track, MSN Public Health Nursing Leadership (PHNL) track, MSN Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (ANP/GNP) track, and MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track. A Doctor of Nursing Practice is also offered. As of the January 2009 application deadline there will no longer be a GRE test requirement.

Phone: 651-793-1375

Winona State University - College of Nursing and Health Sciences

CCNE accredited

Programs Offered: RN-MS, MSN - Adult Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Nursing Administrator, and MSN - Nurse Educator.

P.O. Box 5838, Winona, MN 55987 | Phone: 800-342-5978