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Author: Mark Earnest, BA
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Mark Earnest is a writer and editor based in Reno, Nevada. He's written and edited hundreds of articles on healthcare and higher education topics ranging from entry-level nursing programs and medical billing and coding classes to public health degrees and financial aid. Mark holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from New Mexico State University.
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Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.
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Online RN to MSN Programs in AZ: Guide to Top Schools

Enrolling in an online RN to MSN program in Arizona can open new opportunities and increase your salary. Explore RN to MSN programs in the state and get insights and information to help you make the right decision for your career. We’ll show you the job and salary outlook for Arizona nurses with master’s degrees and answer some common questions about bridge programs and potential nursing roles.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

A portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair shows him wearing a light blue collared shirt under a dark blazer. He is facing the camera with a neutral expression, set against an out-of-focus dark background.
Author: Mark Earnest, BA
A portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair shows him wearing a light blue collared shirt under a dark blazer. He is facing the camera with a neutral expression, set against an out-of-focus dark background.
Mark Earnest, BA Arrow up right
Mark Earnest is a writer and editor based in Reno, Nevada. He's written and edited hundreds of articles on healthcare and higher education topics ranging from entry-level nursing programs and medical billing and coding classes to public health degrees and financial aid. Mark holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from New Mexico State University.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcarePre-NursingAdv Nursing
HealthcarePre-NursingAdv Nursing
Editor: Wes Ricketts
A man with short hair and a beard looks upward with a slight smile. The image is in sepia tones, and the background is plain and light-colored.
Wes Ricketts Arrow up right
Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.
Areas of Expertise
Check EditorialSenior CareDementia Care
EditorialSenior CareDementia Care

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Inside Online RN to MSN Degrees in Arizona

If you’re a registered nurse ready to advance your career and enhance your education, finding the best RN-to-MSN program for your goals is the best way to begin your journey. Bridge programs offer a faster way to earn a master’s degree from an associate or bachelor’s degree base.

RN-to-MSN programs will sometimes have an online component, ranging from all classwork taking place online to some online courses that require you to attend in person. Among Arizona colleges and universities, there are few online or hybrid RN-to-MSN programs; only two we found met those requirements.

We’ve profiled both below, as well as an on-campus program for comparison.

Arizona State University

ASU offers an online RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) bridge program designed for nurses with an associate degree who want to earn a graduate degree without a BSN. The program includes two bridge courses and two practicums, and classes prepare you for roles in healthcare, education, research, and informatics, among other nursing fields.

ASU program goals include fostering personal leadership styles and addressing policy and practice issues in the workplace. Faculty includes instructors with real-world experience who have won notable nursing awards. The flexible online format supports working professionals.

Duration: Two years

Mode: Online

Cost: Program tuition: $605 per credit

Admissions Requirements:

  1. Unencumbered RN license
  2. Associate degree in nursing with 72 transferable credits
  3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
  4. Transcripts and resume
  5. Faculty interview
  6. Statistics course with a C or better

Curriculum:

  1. Advanced Health Assessment
  2. Clinical Prevention and Population Health
  3. Dynamics of Professional Nursing
  4. Foundations of Patient Safety and Health Care Quality

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Grand Canyon University

The GCU MSN bridge program is for RNs possessing a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field that’s not nursing. For its bridge programs, GCU offers a curriculum that includes more intensive medical and patient care content, as well as in-depth research and data analysis that graduates will use in healthcare settings.

A specialization in nursing leadership is one of several pathways in the GCU’s bridge programs for master’s degrees in nursing, which also includes programs that emphasize health informatics, public health nursing, and adult-gerontology healthcare.

Duration: 18 to 24 months

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: Tuition: $8,160

Admissions Requirements:

  1. Valid RN license
  2. Bachelor’s degree
  3. 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher

Curriculum:

  1. Nursing Leadership and Inter-professional Collaboration
  2. Health Promotion and Population Health
  3. Pathophysiology
  4. Applied Statistics for Health Care Professionals
  5. Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona’s master’s in nursing is an on-campus program designed for students who have earned undergraduate degrees and want to transition into a new career more quickly. Clinical experts across specialties teach courses, equipping graduates with the skills to deliver culturally competent patient care informed by the best evidence from practice and research. Financial aid is available through the school.

Duration: 15 months

Mode: On-campus

Cost: Tuition: $49,284 (resident)

Admissions Requirements:

  1. Valid RN license
  2. Cumulative 3.0 GPA minimum
  3. Non-nursing bachelor-level degree
  4. Pass prerequisite courses

Curriculum:

  1. Evidence-Based Practice Improvement
  2. Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
  3. Health Information and Patient Care Technologies
  4. Healthcare Business Dynamics
  5. Quality and Safety Management

FAQs About RN to MSN Online Programs in Arizona

Do you have any pressing questions about RN-to-MSN programs for nursing students? Here are some FAQs covering everything from financial aid to post-graduation.

What types of roles can I earn in healthcare with an MSN in Arizona?

An MSN degree in Arizona prepares graduates for a variety of careers, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists, as well as supervisory roles such as nursing managers, supervisors, directors, and administrators. These positions are available in hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, research facilities, and educational organizations. An MSN can also prepare you for further education, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Can I receive financial aid to help pay for my RN-to-MSN degree?

Yes, there are many ways to make your RN-to-MSN program more affordable. Grants, scholarships, assistantships, payment plans, and paid internships are all great financial aid options to offset tuition costs. You can find many options through your school and through state-specific sites such as the Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing.

What should I think about when choosing an RN to MSN program?

Consider program cost, length, online vs. in-person format, specialties, admissions requirements, and faculty, and compare this list to what potential schools offer. Stick to accredited programs, including those at Arizona State, the University of Arizona, and Grand Canyon University, which are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Most importantly, only consider schools that offer the classes, support, and faculty that align with your career goals.

What are the differences between synchronous and asynchronous online classes?

The differences between these two online delivery systems relate to scheduling: synchronous classes are held at set times and days, while asynchronous courses can be taken at your convenience, including 24/7 availability. Although you can likely coordinate synchronous courses around work, family, or personal commitments, many students choose the convenience of asynchronous courses.

Are there different specializations as part of an RN to MSN program?

It depends on the program, but there are options to specialize with your master’s degree based on your own interests. Among the common ones are nursing education, where you earn the knowledge to teach other nurses in college or university classes, or as a staff member at a hospital or facility. There is also nursing informatics, a mix of data, analytics, and technology science whose practitioners can affect policy and care.

Arizona RN vs. MSN Salary & Career Comparison

Occupation ↕ Area ↕ 10th Percentile ↕ Median ↕ 90th Percentile ↕
Registered Nurses Arizona $70,060 $88,310 $109,750
Nurse Practitioners Arizona $99,220 $130,960 $165,930

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Occupation ↕ Area ↕ Curr. Jobs ↕ Proj. Jobs ↕ New Jobs ↕ Growth % ↕ Avg. Ann. Openings ↕
Registered Nurses Arizona 59,110 72,050 12,940 21.90% 4,820
Nurse Practitioners Arizona 6,540 11,200 4,660 71.30% 860

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

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Mark Earnest, BA AUTHOR

Mark Earnest is a writer and editor based in Reno, Nevada. He's written and edited hundreds of articles on healthcare and higher education topics ranging from entry-level nursing programs and medical billing and coding classes to public health degrees and financial aid. Mark holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from New Mexico State University.

Read More About Mark Earnest

Wes Ricketts EDITOR

Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.

Read More About Wes Ricketts
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