Online RN to MSN Programs in North Carolina: Inside Top Schools
If you’re a registered nurse in North Carolina and looking for a change, discover how an RN to MSN bridge program can open doors to career advancement, an increased salary, and specialized skills. Use this EduMed guide to explore top online RN to MSN programs in NC, get answers to FAQs, and review your future salary potential.
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Best Online RN to MSN Programs in North Carolina
Online RN to MSN Degrees in NC: How They Work
If you’re a registered nurse (RN) who hasn’t yet earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an RN-to-MSN bridge program can be an efficient path forward. These accelerated programs allow you to move directly toward a Master of Science in Nursing while bypassing some traditional undergraduate coursework. Many online and hybrid RN-to-MSN programs in North Carolina follow this flexible format, helping working nurses advance their education without stepping away from their careers.
In most programs, the academic structure includes:
- Online coursework, including lectures, assignments, and discussions
- Asynchronous classes you can complete on your own schedule
- Synchronous sessions with scheduled virtual lectures or discussions
- In-person clinicals or practicums, typically completed at approved healthcare sites near your home
Because universities often allow students to complete clinical hours locally, online RN-to-MSN programs offer the convenience of remote learning while still providing the hands-on experience required for advanced nursing practice.
RN-MSN Pathway – UNC Pembroke
The RN to MSN program offered by the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing at UNC Pembroke is available to registered nurses without a BSN. Students should expect to complete 63 credit hours of undergraduate coursework and 25 hours of BSN coursework before applying to the program.
Once admitted, the program consists of online courses with in-person practicums. Students can choose from the following specializations: Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Clinical Prevention and Population Health. Students will earn their BSN degree in this graduate-level program, with an accelerated timeline.
Duration: 39 credits
Mode: Online courses with in-person clinical hours
Cost: In State: $237.78/credit hour/ Out of State: $1,038.09 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements: If a student holds a non-BSN or associate’s degree in nursing, they must complete 63 credit hours of undergraduate work and 25 credit hours of RN-BSN coursework before applying to the MSN program. Prospective students should also hold an unencumbered RN license and have at least one year of nursing work experience.
Curriculum: Students will complete 39 credit hours of upper-level nursing courses, including five core MSN classes such as Advanced Nursing Concepts in Theory and Practice, as well as coursework in a designated specialty.
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MSN – Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University’s online MSN degree program prepares RNs for an advanced career in nursing education. Students take online courses in advanced nursing concepts and specialized health education courses.
Before graduation, students complete two in-person practica that provide real-world experience and a thesis or research project. This program prepares students for roles as nurse educators (as opposed to nurse practitioners or nurse midwives) in a flexible, affordable format.
Duration: 39 credits
Mode: Online with in-person clinical hours
Cost: $337/credit hour for North Carolina residents
Admissions Requirements: Prospective students do not need a BSN, but they do need a bachelor’s degree in another area, along with an associate’s degree in nursing. Other requirements include a grade C or higher in undergraduate statistics and research courses, an unencumbered RN license, and one year of nursing experience.
Curriculum: The curriculum comprises online learning, 120 clinical hours with hands-on experience in areas such as health assessments and pharmacology, and a final research project or thesis. The online curriculum includes 24 credit hours in advanced master’s in nursing coursework and 12 credit hours in nursing education concentration classes.
RN to MSN – Queens University of Charlotte
The RN-to-MSN program at Queens University of Charlotte is CCNE-accredited and consists of eight-week courses delivered in a flexible, asynchronous online format. The program is designed for students without a BSN and offers an accelerated option for motivated working nurses. The flexible program allows students to choose where to complete their clinical hours and their area of specialization.
There is no GRE requirement for admission, and the program’s faculty has extensive professional experience in and around the Charlotte area, providing networking opportunities after graduation.
Duration: 42 credit hours
Mode: Online
Cost: $721 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements: In addition to completing an online application and submitting transcripts, students must hold an associate’s degree in nursing and an unencumbered RN license.
Curriculum: The program comprises 14 courses, including Population Health Nursing and Healthcare Informatics. The classes are asynchronous and prepare students for roles as nurse educators and nursing informatics specialists.
FAQs About Online RN to MSN Programs in North Carolina
If you’re reading this guide to MSN programs, you likely want to learn as much as you can before choosing a school. Investing your time and money into higher education is a big undertaking, so it’s normal to have questions. Below, we’ll answer some common ones that prospective students often have.
Will I earn my bachelor’s degree during my RN to MSN program?
Earning a bachelor’s degree during an online RN-to-MSN program is entirely possible, but it depends on the program you choose. While researching the many online and on-campus RN-to-MSN programs in North Carolina, we found some that include a BSN and others that don’t. However, most programs appear to require students to complete the BSN pathway before earning their MSN.
For example, UNC Pembroke requires 25 credits of upper-level nursing coursework in addition to general education and MSN credits. UNC Charlotte requires that all BSN coursework be completed first, and students graduate with their BSN before starting their MSN program. The University of Mount Olive’s MSN is designed for nurses with a BSN but has an option for nurses without a bachelor’s degree.
What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an RN to MSN program in North Carolina?
You’ll acquire a lot of knowledge and skills when obtaining an MSN degree, making you more marketable in the healthcare field. You’ll learn about advanced research methods, nursing informatics, management of care and clinics, leadership principles and practice, nursing administration, evaluation of practices and policies, financial management, nursing educational practices and principles, healthcare data implementation, and management. Many programs have specializations, so you can choose where to focus your studies.
Expert Insight
Most core MSN curriculum is simply an advanced version of undergraduate nursing curriculum. For example, a graduate-level health assessment course is mostly an in-depth version of the health assessment course you took in your RN program, but it’s taught from the perspective of an APRN. So, not only will you learn how to complete a detailed health assessment, you will also learn how to use the assessment findings to make health diagnoses.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my RN to MSN program in North Carolina?
Yes, you may be eligible for financial aid opportunities if you know where to look. For example, the North Carolina Nurses Association sponsors several scholarships. Always check the school you’ll attend for scholarships, as well as state-specific scholarships or scholarships from businesses.
Once you complete the FAFSA, you may find you qualify for grants, which, like nursing scholarships, do not need to be paid back. Some schools offer work-study programs that allow you to work in exchange for your tuition. And, of course, student loans are available as well.
Do employers in North Carolina accept graduates from online RN to MSN programs?
For the most part, an online degree is treated the same as an in-person degree if it is an accredited program. Most online degrees have the same requirements as on-campus degrees, which means you will receive the quality education and experience needed to pass the NCLEX-RN and obtain a license.
How do I go from being an RN to an MSN nurse in North Carolina?
Your RN license is separate from your nursing degree. This means that no matter what level of nursing degree you hold, you can continuing practicing under your RN license as long as you meet license renewal requirements.
The only time you need more than an RN license to practice in North Carolina is if you graduate from an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) program, such as an NP, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist program. In this case, you need to be registered as an advanced practice nurse after passing the appropriate certification exam, such as the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
If you have an RN license in another state and want to begin practicing in North Carolina with your MSN, find out if your current state belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If so, you can practice in North Carolina as long as you meet all other licensing requirements. If your state does not belong to the NLC, you need to apply for an RN license directly through North Carolina’s Board of Nursing.
North Carolina RN vs. MSN Salary & Career Comparison
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | RNs | $67,660 | $84,350 | $110,220 |
| NPs | $103,530 | $128,990 | $164,320 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | RNs | 106,190 | 123,650 | 17,460 | 16.40% | 7,930 |
| NPs | 8,200 | 12,750 | 4,550 | 55.50% | 920 |
Source: Projections Central
