Top Online RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania

Comparing Pennsylvania’s Online RN to MSNs

Online RN to MSN programs are designed specifically for registered nurses seeking to become leaders in nursing administration and specialized clinical practice. These programs combine BSN and MSN coursework into a single, condensed curriculum, saving students time and money when compared to completing full bachelor’s and master’s programs.

It’s important to understand, however, that online RN to MSN programs differ when it comes to how they deliver their online content. So, be sure to consider these factors during your program search:

• Fully-online vs. hybrid format: Online RN to MSN programs may be entirely online or hybrid-formatted. For example, programs whose MSN coursework is in a clinical specialty will include in-person clinical practice experiences typically attended at healthcare facilities in the school’s or students local area.
• Synchronous vs. asynchronous delivery: Online content may be delivered synchronously (requiring logging on and participating in live-streamed classes at specifically-scheduled times) or asynchronously (allowing students to log on and complete course requirements at any time.)

There are, of course, other considerations to keep in mind, such as full-time vs. part-time study, tuition costs, proper accreditation, and area of specialized practice.

To get your started on your program search, here are profiles of three current online RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania RN to MSN Student FAQs

Applying to an RN to MSN program is a big step, and it’s normal to have questions. To that end, below are the answers to five of the most commonly-asked questions by prospective Pennsylvania RN to MSN students:

What Can I Do with an MSN in Pennsylvania?

An MSN opens the door to advanced nursing careers in two major areas:

• Nursing leadership in administrative and management roles throughout the healthcare field.
• Advanced clinical practice in a wide variety of specializations, particularly as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.

Popular nurse practitioner specialties include:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Adult Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The five most popular clinical nurse specialist fields in Pennsylvania are:

• Adult-Gerontology
• Neonatal
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Women’s Health

Finally, among the most popular non-clinical fields you can pursue with an MSN are:

• Forensic nursing
• Nursing administration
• Nursing education
• Nursing informatics

Will I Earn My Bachelor’s Degree During My RN to MSN Program?

That depends on the specific program, so be sure you have a clear understanding of just what is awarded by any RN to MSN program in Pennsylvania you consider.

For example the online RN to MSN programs at both Chatham University and Drexel University award BSN degrees along with an MSN. Drexel’s program, however, requires students to possess a previously-earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major for admission.

Examples of online RN to MSN programs in the state that do not award BSN degrees include both the Wilkes University and Wilson College programs profiled above.

How Will an RN to MSN Program in Pennsylvania Prepare Me for More Opportunities?

With earning your MSN comes substantially higher salaries and expanded job prospects (as evidenced by the salary figures and stunning job growth projections for nurse practitioners which you’ll find listed in the tables below.)

The reason is simple. By earning your nursing master’s, you have added substantially to the depth and breadth of your professional knowledge base an skills set, making you more attractive to employers in practically every sector of the healthcare industry.

More importantly, current trends in nursing practice point to a continuing high demand for nurses with specialized training, particularly in regard to the aging population.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an RN to MSN Program in Pennsylvania?

Again, this will depend on the specific program you choose. However, there are a few general factors that impact RN to MSN programs lengths, including:

• Chosen area of specialization: As a general rule, specialties that include clinical practice hours tend to take longer to complete than non-clinical specialties.
• Chosen study pace: Not surprisingly, part-time programs come with longer completion times than full-time programs.
• Previously-earned credential: Students entering their RN to MSN program with both an ADN and non-nursing BSN will be able to complete their studies in less time than those entering without a bachelor’s degree.

That being said, as a general rule, RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania typically require:

• Two to three years of full-time study
• Three to four years or more of part-time study

How Affordable are RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania?

In the most general terms, you can expect to find total tuition costs for RN to MSN programs in the state to run anywhere from $30,000 to $90,000. There are several factors that influence costs, however, including the three listed in the program length question above.

Additional factors include:

• Public vs. private : Programs offered by private colleges and universities typically charge higher tuition rates than their public school counterparts.
• Student state residency: Public school programs often charge higher tuition rates to out-of-state residents than they do to in-state residents.

Keep in mind that your RN to MSN bill will include additional costs for program fees, books and materials, nursing equipment, etc. But you’ll also be able to mitigate your education price tag by taking advantage of any of a number of scholarship opportunities and other financial aid resources.

Pennsylvania RN vs. MSN Salary & Career Comparison

Ranking the Best Online RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania

To further help you in your program search, we’ve surveyed the current RN to MSN online program landscape in Pennsylvania and ranked the best of those programs.

We’ve incorporated data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) in our rankings, taking into account such factors as:

• Number of online program options
• Proper accreditation
• Program costs and access to financial aid resources
• Student/faculty ratio
• Access to useful student support services

Click the “About the Ranking” button to learn more about our selection process.