There are few career fields that have as promising an outlook as nursing. For nurses who earn their bachelor’s degree and eventually their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you can enjoy incredibly strong job demand in most parts of the country.
Earning your MSN degree is the requirement to become an advanced practice nurse (APN) and there is explosive job growth occurring in each of these fields by 2024, according to the Department of Labor:
- Nurse practitioner: 35% growth
- Nurse midwives: 25% growth
- Nurse anesthetist: 19% growth
Together the increase in job demand will be 31% for these three professions in the coming years. While government statistics does not mention the speciality, nursing educators also are in great demand, and many best MSN degree programs offer it as an option.
No GRE Required
Because of the very high demand for nurses generally, many high quality online MSN programs no longer require you to take a standardized test for admission. The most common one for health care professions is the GRE examination. Not being required to take this exam will save you a few hundred dollars and will save you weeks or month of studying.
RN to MSN
Entering the nursing profession is so popular that there are also MSN programs that allow an RN without a bachelor’s degree to earn their MSN degree without earning their BSN separately. These programs are known as RN to MSN programs.
Another great option for some professionals is a direct entry MSN program. This program is designed for professionals in other fields with a bachelor’s degree who want to become a nurse. Again, you can just earn your MSN degree without earning a separate bachelor’s.
Given the high demand, you will be pleased to know that there are numerous online MSN programs that you can choose from. The top five of these online nursing degree programs include the ones we highlight below:
#1 Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University is one of the online programs that offers an RN to MSN program. As noted earlier, this option is ideal for a practicing RN who has either a diploma or an associate’s degree in nursing.
Rather than having to earn a BSN first and then an MSN – which could take up to six years! – you can earn your BSN and MSN simultaneously, and get them both done in four years. If you want to save yourself a lot of time and money, Chamberlain’s RN to MSN program could be just what you need.
Here’s how it works: After you have taken some of your BSN classes, you can then begin to take your MSN classes. You will need to apply for admission separately to the MSN program, but this convenient option will still save you plenty of time and expense.
More important information about this RN to MSN degree program:
- Campus: Downers Grove IL; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $24,455 for entire program
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: RN to MSN degree
#2 Jacksonville University
As we noted above, the time is now to get an education in advanced nursing care so that you can get work in one of the fastest-growing areas of healthcare. Jacksonville University has a fully accredited MSN program that allows the student to take their classes online.
All of the online nursing degrees offered here – including an MSN and a MS in Health Informatics – are taught by highly experienced nursing professionals who have excellent reputations in the nursing profession.
Many people choose Jacksonville University because it has been ranked as one of the best online graduate colleges, according to US News and World Report.
More important information about this MSN degree program:
- Campus: Jacksonville FL; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Per Credit Hour: $685
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in clinical nurse education, leadership in healthcare systems, and healthcare nursing informatics.
#3 Liberty University
If you want to improve your career prospects and salary significantly, you can earn your online MSN degree from Liberty University. This MSN program offers two tracks for nursing educators and nurse administrators.
For each specialty, you will have a practicum experience that is carefully tailored to your career interests and needs of learning. Your faculty mentor also will provide you with specialized career and educational guidance in this two year, accredited program.
This program is designed for students who already have a nursing background and have their BSN degree. However, for students who have an RN designation without a bachelor’s degree, you will need to take these classes before your admission to this program:
- Research in Nursing
- Strategies for Community Health
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
- Population Health
- Nursing Management
Your required classes for the nurse educator track are as follows:
- Research
- Health Policy and Ethics
- Nursing Theory and Advanced Practice
- Managing Population Health
- Nursing Issues, Informatics and Technology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Nursing Education I-III
- Advanced Clinical Applications for Nurse Educators
More information about this MSN degree program:
- Campus: Lynchburg, VA; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Southern Assocation of Colleges and Schools
- Per Credit Hour: $585
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization nursing education or nursing administration.
#4 Drexel University
Drexel University offers an MSN bridge program that is made for a current RN who has an associate’s degree or a diploma of nursing. It also is suitable for a person who has a bachelor’s in another field and wants to change careers.
To move into the bridge portion of the program, you need to complete the class Genetics and Genomics: Application to Nursing Practice. This program, like all of the other classes, are offered online and is delivered in 10 weeks.
After you have completed all requirements to be admitted into the MSN program, you then can commence with your graduate courses.
Drexel University’s MSN program offers these specialties:
- Clinical nurse leader
- Clinical trials research
- Leadership in health systems management
- Nursing education
More information about this MSN degree program:
- Campus: Philadelphia, Online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Per Credit Hour: $913
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in clinical nurse education, leadership in healthcare systems, clinical nurse leader, clinical trials research.
#5 Penn State University
As we have noted earlier, the healthcare landscape is evolving and changing constantly. In years’ past, the greatest job demand in the healthcare industry was for physicians. While the job demand for doctors is still substantial, it has generally been surpassed in the last decade by demand for advanced nursing professionals. These ADNs can do much of the same work as many doctors but at ⅓ or more lower cost.
Earning your Master of Science in Nursing from Penn State University can be the key to ready you for a leadership position in nursing in one of these areas:
- Nursing educator
- Nursing administrator
The curriculum for both of these MSN programs covers the most important areas of the policy of health care and the advanced leadership skills that you need to make positive change in many healthcare facilities and organizations around the country and world.
You will spend your two or three years in this CCNE-accredited program covering the most complex issues that pertain to modern nursing practice, and also within the context of the larger health care industry.
Many people select this program at Penn State for the following reasons:
- Outstanding and highly regarded curriculum
- Flexibility
- Highly recognized as one of the top nursing programs in the country
More information about this MSN degree program:
- Campus: University Park PA; Online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Per Credit Hour: $8=21
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education; Master of Science in Nursing Administration.
Earning your online MSN degree is an excellent path to enjoying a high paying career. What’s more, you can enjoy nearly limitless job demand in some specialities in most major US cities. By being able to take your pick from several job offers, you will be able to earn more money and find a job situation that fits your exact situation.
