RN to MSN Programs in North Carolina

There are 7 schools based in North Carolina that offer an RN to MSN bridge program and a number of nationally accredited nursing schools that offer their RN to MSN programs online to registered nurses in North Carolina. Contact and accreditation information for these schools can be found listed below.

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Purdue Global Visit School's Website
Selected Program:
  • Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees and Postgraduate Certificates in Nursing
Grand Canyon University Visit School's Website
Selected Program:
  • Online Nursing Degrees
Liberty University Visit School's Website
Selected Program:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the Registered Nurse
Seton Hall University Visit School's Website
Selected Program:
  • Ranked #15 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Program by US News, Seton Hall University offers two fully online Nurse Practitioner programs: Adult Gerontology with Acute and Primary Tracks and Psychiatric Mental Health.
Sacred Heart University Visit School's Website
Selected Program:
  • Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

According to the Advance for Nursing 2009 Salary Survey, 12.4% of working nurses in North Carolina hold a master’s in nursing. This leaves plenty of room and demand for master’s educated nurses in all facets of advanced nursing practice from nurse educators to advanced practice nurses. Master’s educated nurses also reported higher median hourly pay than did baccalaureate, associate and diploma educated nurses according to the same salary survey.

The RN to MSN program is designed for diploma and associate educated registered nurses to bridge the baccalaureate nursing education into the master’s nursing education. Students can select from a variety of concentration or specialization tracks that fit their strengths and area of nursing practice they intend on pursuing a career. Generally, the RN to MSN curriculum focuses on enhancing students’ knowledge of nursing theory and research as well as evidenced based practice. Advanced practice concentrations incorporate more clinical practice experiences and the application of nursing theory and research to practice and patient care.

To keep within curriculum guidelines and maintain accreditation by the CCNE or NLNAC, RN to MSN programs must incorporate the BSN curriculum and clinical requirements. There is no skipping over the baccalaureate education content prior to MSN curriculum. The goal is to fill leadership roles in all areas of nursing with highly skilled, competent and knowledgeable master’s educated nurses and the RN to MSN is accomplishing just that. An RN to MSN program will take about three years to complete and is a very focused program. If this sounds like too much of a commitment at this time, you can still pursue higher education and create greater career mobility. The RN to BSN programs in North Carolina can often be completed in as little as one year. The RN to BSN is a stepping stone to an MSN program, which could be completed at a later date online or at a campus in North Carolina.

Online RN to MSN Programs Offered in North Carolina

Learn more about the RN to MSN bridge programs offered in North Carolina, including admissions and specialization tracks, by requesting information from the schools listed below.

Colleges & Universities Based in North Carolina Offering an RN to MSN Program

Duke University School of Nursing

The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: ABSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Adult Cardiovascular Care, Adult Critical Care, Adult Primary Care, Clinical Research Management, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontology, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing and Health Care Leadership, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, Oncology, Neonatal/Pediatrics), DNP, PhD, Post-Master’s Certificates

Duke University – School of Nursing,
DUMC 3322,
307 Trent Drive,
Durham, NC, 27710,
PH: 919-684-9163

East Carolina University

CCNE accredited programs and NLNAC accredited programs

Programs Offered: BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Adult Nursing Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership, Nurse Midwifery), PhD

East Carolina University – School of Nursing,
Greenville, NC 27858-4353,
PH: 252-328-5358

Gardner Webb University

CCNE & NLNAC accredited programs

Programs Offered: ADN, RN to BSN, RN – MSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, MSN/MBA)

Gardner Webb University,
Campus Box 312,
Boiling Springs, NC 28017,
PH: 704-406-4000

Queens University of Charlotte

CCNE accredited Department of Nursing

Programs Offered: ASN, BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Health Systems Management, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator Practices)

Queens University of Charlotte – Vail Program of Nursing,
1900 Selwyn Avenue,
Charlotte, NC 28274,
PH: 704-337-2276

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

CCNE accredited programs

Programs Offered: BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Adult Nurse Practitioner (including ANP/Oncology option), Health Care Systems – Administration, – Clinical Nurse Leader, – Education, – Informatics, – Outcome Management, Children’s Health (PNP, CNS), Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Women’s Health (including dual option: WHCNP & FNP), Post-Master’s programs with the MSN concentration options, Doctoral

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
CB # 7460,
Carrington Hall,
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460,
PH: 919-966-4260

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

NLNAC & CCNE accredited programs

Programs Offered: BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (Concentrations: FNP, Nurse Educator), Post-Master’s certificate

University of North Carolina at Wilmington – School of Nursing,
601 S. College Road,
Wilmington, NC 28403-3297,
PH: 910-962-3208

Western Carolina University

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited Nursing School.

Programs Offered: BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Administrator), Post-Master’s certificates

Western Carolina University – Department of Nursing,
209 Moore Hall,
Cullowhee, NC 28723,
PH: 828-227-7211

Back to Top | Nursing Programs in North Carolina