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Advance Your Practice

RN to Master of Science in Nursing Online

As a registered nurse, earning your MSN is a big step, and a rewarding one that will create new opportunities and challenges.

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You must be a licensed registered nurse or have completed an associate degree of nursing to apply for the program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a bachelor's degree in a closely related field to apply for this program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree to apply for this program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree or a master's degree in a healthcare related field.

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Online RN to MSN Programs

<p>Direct RN to MSN degree (BSN not required) with coursework delivered 100% online</p>

Direct RN to MSN degree (BSN not required) with coursework delivered 100% online

<p>As few as 24 months of study (accelerated program pace)</p>

As few as 24 months of study (accelerated program pace)

<p>Comprehensive Career Services support after graduation</p>

Comprehensive Career Services support after graduation

<p>Competitive tuition with financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify</p>

Competitive tuition with financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify

Why RN to MSN?

Our online RN to MSN program allows you to complete bachelor’s courses and advance straight to specialized master’s classes with no lag in between. The curriculum is designed to be a sequence building on your current RN experience. If taking your education forward interests you, the opportunity to make a career out of advanced nursing is equally challenging and rewarding.

RN to MSN Specialized Tracks

A WCU RN to MSN education offers advanced study in specific areas of nursing to help you hone the focus of your practice and realize your full potential. You can choose from our various nurse practitioner or other specialty nursing tracks. These tracks help you prepare to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or to gain the education you need to pursue a specific area of nursing.

 

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Interested in a Nursing Specialization?

Our online RN to MSN program offers specialized tracks in different nursing specialties. Explore all our RN to MSN tracks below.

(Note: WCU has halted enrollment for the Advanced Generalist and Nursing Informatics tracks of the RN to MSN program effective January 9, 2023. To make an Informatics degree available to more students, we will be opening enrollment for a new Informatics track in the Master of Health Administration program in Spring 2023.)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

For adult and geriatric patients, you are a lifeline for those in acute need of care and compassion. Achieve this advanced degree in as few as 28 months, or on a schedule that works around yours.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

A WCU advanced degree in primary adult-gerontology care will prep you to help keep your adult patients of all ages healthy, including preventative care. You can earn your degree in as few as 24 months at the accelerated program pace.

Family Nurse Practitioner

As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you’ll provide a wide range of care for the whole family, including children and adults. You can complete your  FNP at WCU in as few as 28 months at the accelerated program pace.

Nurse Educator

In as few as 16 months at the accelerated plus program pace, you can build the skills and earn the qualifications to teach, lead, and develop educational programs for the next generation of nurses.

Nurse Leader

For nurses who feel ready to take on oversight, this degree covers leadership at executive, administrative, and department levels. Complete your degree in as little as 16 months at the accelerated plus pace.

Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

If you’re already a registered nurse and want to add psychiatric health to your portfolio of care, you can do it in 32 months at the accelerated program pace, or around your schedule.

Additional Information About our RN to MSN Degree

Study on Your Schedule

Because we understand personal goals and life circumstances vary, we offer a range of timelines to degree completion.

Accelerated Plus

For a select few of our RN to MSN tracks, the student can complete their program at the Accelerated Plus pace, which gives them the maximum level of speed to completion. This rigorous pace is designed for nurses who want to hit the ground running with their coursework and clinicals.

Accelerated 

The Accelerated pace offers RN to MSN students a full-time course of study so they can earn their degree on a streamlined schedule. Speed to completion is a benefit of this pace.

Working Professional Pace (On Your Schedule)

Our syllabus is also tailored to consider more complicated schedules, so we designed a course of study to accommodate you. If you’re a parent, or caretaker at home, or have a work schedule that keeps you from regular study, your Student Success Advisor can help design a timeline for RN to MSN study that sets you up for success.

Gain Experience

Either online or in-person, you’ll complete clinical and advanced clinical placement practicums. You’ll also have 24-hour access to our campuses, as well as access to the simulation centers at our Texas and California campuses.

Online Study

Because you’re already a certified Registered Nurse, you’ll be able to complete your WCU degree almost entirely online. Mobile-friendly content is available too, to make it easier for you to work through study between shifts.

RN to MSN Curriculum

Preview your course of study by degree. RN-MSN degree curricula are curated by specialty. The number of credits needed, and the number of months your degree will take (depending on whether you choose an accelerated or working professional pace) will vary as well. We recommend reviewing your prospective curriculum in detail so you know what to expect:

Visit the Nursing RN to MSN Online page of our catalog to view the curriculum for your desired specialty track.

Academic Calendar

New academic sessions begin, on average, and depending on programs, every eight weeks, and typically lasts about six trimesters, on the accelerated schedule. You can access an up-to-date start-to-completion schedule below:

Academic Calendar

How Much Does the RN to MSN Program Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of RN to MSN tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. Visit our individual track pages for a breakdown of the costs at West Coast University.

We offer several RN to MSN financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Career Services & Placement

Our Career Services department provides ongoing assistance with professional and career development through workshops and guidance for our online RN  to MSN students and graduates.

Our RN to MSN tracks help prepare you for a variety of nursing opportunities, opening the door to more advanced nursing roles.

Graduates of the RN to MSN program will be prepared for a variety of expanded roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses and nurse practitioners work in a range of settings, including:

  • Hospitals (state, local, and private)
  • Physicians’ offices
  • Outpatient care centers
  • Ambulatory healthcare services
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Government
  • Educational services1,2

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,  Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

FAQs
Will my previous coursework transfer into the program?

WCU can evaluate your previous coursework for credit. In the RN to MSN program, we can accept up to 90 transfer credits. You can work directly with your advisor to see which credits can be applied to your new degree.

Will I be able to complete my degree or certificate if I am working?

All our online nursing programs have been designed to give you the flexibility you need to earn your degree. While due dates and assignments help keep you on track, you will have the flexibility to watch lectures and complete coursework when and where it’s convenient for you. You choose whether to study in the mornings, evenings, or weekends.

Will I be eligible to sit for my certification exam?

Yes, after you complete the program, you will be eligible to sit for your certification exam. WCU offers two tools to help you prepare for the examination: Lecturio and BoardVitals. Both tools are mobile-friendly platforms that will help you review materials so you can approach the exam with confidence.

What is accelerated RN to MSN?

Our accelerated RN to MSN online program lets you complete bachelor’s courses and progress directly into specialized master’s classes with no transitional delay.

Can you bridge from RN to MSN?

The RN to MSN online is a bridge program for advancing to the next level in your nursing development. The online RN to MSN program allows certified Registered Nurses to complete bachelors-level courses and ultimately earn an MSN degree without lag time in between.

Can I get an RN to MSN degree online?

WCU's RN to MSN program includes 100% online coursework. Some in-person practice experience is also necessary to complete your RN to MSN degree.

How long does it take to go from RN to MSN?

The amount of time needed to go from an RN to a Master of Science in Nursing degree varies depending on the specialized track and pace you select. For example, for some programs, if you choose the Accelerated Plus pace, you could earn your degree in as little as 8 months. For others, your program could take three years to complete if you select the Working Professional pace. For additional information, visit the page for your MSN track of interest.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Among the scholarships offered are the Alumni Pathway Grant (covers up to 20% of tuition), the WCU Health Services Grant (covers up to 10% of tuition), and the WCU Performance Scholarship (covers up to 15% of tuition).

For additional information and eligibility requirements, please visit our scholarships and grants page on our online catalog.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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Pursuing your degree is a big choice. Fill out our form and one of our admissions advisors will contact you to answer any question you may have!

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1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,Registered Nurses. Retrieved November 2021. Demand  and salary can vary by location, level of experience, and specialty.

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved November 2021. Demand  and salary can vary by location, level of experience, and specialty.