Top Online RN to MSN Programs in Ohio (OH)
If you’re a registered nurse looking to move up, earning your MSN could be the best next step. Online and hybrid RN to MSN programs in Ohio offer a convenient and affordable way to specialize and advance. Learn how bridge programs work, how long they take, and how much you could earn after graduation.
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Best Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs in Ohio
Walsh University
North Canton, OHCapital University
Columbus, OHFranklin University
Columbus, OHMount St. Joseph University
Cincinnati, OHUrsuline College
Pepper Pike, OHCase Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OHReviewing Online RN to MSN Programs in Ohio
In Ohio, only two schools offer fully online, accredited RN-to-MSN programs. These programs are designed with working nurses in mind and may allow relevant professional experience to count toward certain clinical requirements. Because RN-to-MSN bridge programs are relatively uncommon (and fully online nursing graduate programs even more so) these are the only accredited options of their kind currently available in the state.
Below, we spotlight these three online programs, along with a high-quality in-person RN-to-MSN option to help you compare pathways. In the program profiles that follow, you’ll find details on:
- Program format and delivery
- Admission requirements
- Clinical or practicum expectations
- Specialization options
Explore the programs below to see which option may be the best fit for your education and career goals.
Franklin University
Franklin University’s fully online RN to MSN program offers more opportunities for specialization than any other program in Ohio. Students seeking to focus on areas such as family nursing, adult gerontology, or psychiatric nursing have ample opportunities to gain relevant knowledge and skills. This RN-to-MSN program offers flexible scheduling for working nurses.
Though clinical hours are required, working students may complete the hours through their job. This RN-to-MSN program at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Duration: 12 to 18 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $298/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Current, unencumbered nursing license
Curriculum: Below is the curriculum for the Generalist specialization; however, the school offers specializations in Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Educator.
- Essentials of Professional Nursing (Bridge Course)
- Role of the Master’s Prepared Nurse
- Population Focused Care
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Healthcare Delivery Systems
- Health Policy
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement
- MSN Capstone
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Mercy College
Private Catholic nursing institution Mercy College’s online RN-to-MSN program is designed for working nurses, particularly those with prior nursing education who can enter the program with transfer credit. The program offers two different “pathways,” and which is best for you will depend on your prior academic and work experience.
Once enrolled, you will be studying advanced nursing topics, including healthcare policy, pharmacology, and evidence-based nursing, as well as nurse leadership and nursing education. The program concludes with two practicum courses and two capstones in education and leadership.
Duration: 12 to 18 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $675/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (2.0 or higher on their Pathway 2 option)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Professional CV or resume
Curriculum:
- Transitions in Professional Nursing
- Nursing Informatics
- Population Health Assessment
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Current Issues in Nursing
- RN to MSN Bridge Course
- Theoretical Foundations for Professional Nursing
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Healthcare Policy in the Global Community
- Population-Based Healthcare
- Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
- Leadership and Strategic Management for Advanced Nursing Roles
- Healthcare Systems and Organization for Nurse Leaders
- Strategic Management of Human Resources
- Financial Management in Healthcare
- Leadership Capstone (with Practicum)
- Teaching and Learning Strategies in Nursing Education
- Advanced Nursing Curriculum Design
- Evaluating Methods in Nursing Education
- Integrated Advanced Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, and Pharmacology
- Education Capstone (with Practicum)
Ursuline College
Ursuline College’s RN to MSN program is one of the top in-person programs in Ohio. In 2021, the National League for Nursing named the college one of 10 Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education nationwide.
Additionally, the school partners with top Cleveland hospitals for student clinicals and boasts a world-class faculty. There are five specializations to choose from: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Ursuline’s student-centered approach paid off in 2019, with every graduate of Ursuline’s RN program passing the NCLEX. The school also consistently boasts a 100% post-licensure job placement rate. Additionally, the program is accredited by the CCNE and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Duration: 12 to 18 months
Mode: In-person/Hybrid
Cost: $360 – $1,274/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Valid and current nursing license
- $25 application fee
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Official transcripts
Curriculum:
- Basic Nutrition
- Bioethics
- Lifespan Development
- Pathophysiologic Foundations for Nursing Practice
- Foundations of Holistic Nursing Practice
- Holistic Nursing Practice: Health Assessment of the Adult
- Professional Nursing Practice with Adults
- Professional Nursing Practice for Childbearing and Childrearing Families
- Professional Nursing Practice with Populations
- Integrated Professional Nursing Practice
- Professional Nursing Practice for Persons with Complex Psychiatric Needs
- Professional Nursing Practice for Critically Ill Adults
- Health Care Informatics
- Advance Health Assessment
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Health Promotion, Maintenance, and Restoration
- Health Care Policies
- Health Care Organization and Finance
- Advanced Practice Ethical and Legal Responsibilities
FAQs on Ohio RN to MSN Online Programs
It’s natural to have a few questions before applying for or beginning your RN to MSN program. In fact, most students in your position do. To that end, here are a few of the most commonly asked questions for RN-to-MSN students and their answers.
Can I earn my MSN in Ohio completely online?
It depends on your program focus. For clinical MSN programs, such as nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist, you need to complete onsite clinical hours. Since many RN to MSN programs are geared toward working nurses, you may have the option to complete the hours at your current workplace.
For non-clinical MSN programs, such as nurse educator or nursing administrator, you may have the option to complete a capstone project instead, making your program 100% online. For these programs, exemptions from in-person hours reduce stress for students balancing work, school, and other responsibilities.
Do employers in Ohio accept graduates from online RN to MSN programs?
Yes. Since Ohio’s online RN-to-MSN programs are accredited, employers can be sure that the quality of your online education is on par with that of students who attended in-person programs. Your choice to attend school online won’t limit your potential to advance your career.
However, you may want to do some in-person networking alongside your online education to grow your professional network as you prepare to apply for advanced nursing jobs.
Expert Insight
While you are working on your required clinical/practicum hours, try to make connections with managers and directors in various departments within the facility, particularly those that interests you the most. Offer to help them with minor projects. Staying in contact could lead to a job offer after graduation.
How do I go from being an RN to an MSN nurse in Ohio once I’ve completed my program?
If you complete your MSN degree and possess an Ohio nursing license, you’re ready for work in many non-clinical roles, such as a nurse educator or nursing administrator. But if you earned your MSN degree from an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) program, you need to earn an APRN license through Ohio’s Board of Nursing before you can start practicing.
For example, if your degree focus was nurse practitioner, you need to obtain an APRN-NP license after passing an NP certification exam. Similarly, if you graduated from a certified nurse midwife (CNM) program, you need to pass a certification exam and obtain an APRN-CNM license.
How much more does an MSN nurse make in Ohio?
Because your MSN degree creates options for specialization, you’ll be eligible for higher-paying positions. As of October 2022, the average RN in Ohio earns $53,368 annually; by comparison, an MSN nurse in Ohio earns $156,243.
What’s the job market like for registered nurses with an MSN in Ohio?
Once you finish your program, you’ll have plenty of career opportunities to consider. The demand for MSN nurses, particularly nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, is exploding nationwide, and the demand for MSN nurses is expected to grow by over 35% by 2034. Demand for MSN nurses in Ohio is expected to match this national demand, and state predictions are for a 40% growth in nurse practitioner positions by 2034.
Ohio RN vs. MSN: Salary & Career Prospects
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Ohio | $66,980 | $82,510 | $105,290 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Ohio | $100,780 | $124,870 | $154,680 |
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 | Ohio | 131,390 | 135,860 | 4,470 | 3.40% | 7,630 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Ohio | 11,020 | 15,710 | 4,690 | 42.60% | 1,060 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
