Top Online RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
Are you a Pennsylvania registered nurse looking to boost your career prospects? An online RN to MSN program can prepare you to take on a wide range of leadership and advanced practice roles. Let EduMed walk you through today’s best online RN to MSN programs in Pennsylvania and show you how they work, how much they cost, and how you can gain admission.
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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.
Wilson College
Convenience and study flexibility are key elements of Wilson College’s Online RN to MSN program. Coursework is delivered in an asynchronous format, there are no in-person clinicals, and both full-time and part-time options are available.
Students choose from two specialty tracks:
- Education: Prepares graduates for jobs as professors, clinical instructors, and staff educators. Coursework leading to nurse practitioner certification eligibility is included.
- Leadership and Management: Prepares graduates to take on administrative positions in nursing, allied health, healthcare business, and quality assurance.
Both tracks additionally prepare students to continue their academic studies to earn a nursing doctorate.
Duration: Two to three Years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $33,000 to $35,000 (total tuition and fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- Nursing diploma or ADN
- Active RN license
- Minimum three years of nursing experience or clinical recommendation
- GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be admitted with interview and at the program’s discretion.
- Resume
Curriculum:
Bridge Requirements
- Healthcare Ethics
- Health Promotion for Health Providers or Health Psychology
- Healthcare Informatics
- Research in Healthcare
- RN-to-MSN Bridge Course
- Introductory Statistics or Understanding Statistics
MSN Core Courses
- Interpersonal Dynamics
- Advanced Practice – Roles/Concepts
- Ethics and Healthcare Regulations
- Introduction to Research Methodologies
- Outcomes and Program Evaluation
- Master’s Project
Education Track
- Health Assessment-Adv Practice Nurse
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Fnd of Nursing Education and Curriculum
- Outcomes and Program Evaluation
- Teaching Practices
Leadership and Management Track
- Process Reengineering & Change Management or Leadership Models and Practices
- Graduate Elective in Business or Nursing
- Healthcare Systems
- Healthcare Finance I & II
Programs that might interest you:
Wilkes University
For nurses interested in advancing into roles in specialized clinical practice, Wilkes University’s Online RN to MSN program offers three nurse practitioner concentrations:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHMP)
All didactic coursework is delivered entirely online. The program provides clinical placement support for required hands-on clinical practice experiences.
No GRE or GMAT is required for admission. A wide range of financial aid resources is available for qualifying students.
Wilkes University’s online RN to MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Duration: Three years (FNP and PMHNP); 2.6 years (AGPCNP)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $40,086 (AGPNP); $42,444 (FNP); $41658 (PMHNP). Total tuition, not including fees.
Admissions Requirements:
- ADN earned with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Current, unencumbered RN license (APRN license if appropriate)
- Current resume or CV
- One year of RN professional experience required by the start of NP clinical courses
Curriculum:
Bridge Courses
- Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing for the Graduate Nursing Student
- Leadership and Management Practicum for the Graduate Nursing Student
- Graduate Academic Writing for Nursing Professionals
Core MSN Courses
- Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science
- Advanced Nursing Research
- Advanced Role Development in Nursing
- Health Policy and Politics for Advancing Nursing Practice
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners
- Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural and Underserved Populations
- Scholarly Preparation for NP Boards
AGPCNP Track
- Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners
- Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural, and Underserved Populations
- Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I & II
- Advanced Practice in Adult Gerontology Clinical I & II
FNP Track
- Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical I & II
- Family Nurse Practitioner Role with Children and Families
- Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical with Children and Families
- Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I & II
PMHCNP Track
- Clinical Modalities in Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Practice
- Psychopathology, Theories and Advanced Clinical Modalities
- Advanced Practice in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I & II
- Psychopharmacology
Robert Morris University
The RN to MSN option of Robert Morris University’s online MSN in Nursing Education program is designed to “build mastery of educational process and practical experiences” to prepare students for leadership roles in a range of nurse education settings.
Students receive 42 credits for their ADN license. Additional undergraduate coursework is required following an assessment of coursework needed.
Upon completing these courses, students advance to the 37 credits that make up the MSN in Nursing Education curriculum.
The program features 100% online didactic coursework. However, several courses include on-ground practicum hours completed through a local preceptor.
RMU prides itself on providing the individualized attention of a small school and the educational opportunities of a comprehensive research university.
Duration: Two years (full-time)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $35,000 to $39,300 (tuition only)
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- GPA of 2.5 or higher in nursing courses
- Unencumbered RN license
Curriculum:
BSN Coursework
The specific curriculum requirements for BSN coursework vary by student, but typically include the following nursing courses:
- Nursing Ethics
- Quality and Safety in Nursing
- Community Health/Health Promotion Theory
- Community Health/Health Promotion Practice (Clinical)
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Leadership and Management
- Health Care Information Systems or Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Elective
MSN Nursing Education Coursework
- Ethics/Legal Issues (1st)
- Nursing Informatics
- Applied Statistics
- Research for Adv. Nursing Roles
- Theory of Learning
- Curriculum Design
- Adv. Physical Assessment & Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
- Clinical Focus Seminar & Practicum (clinical hours)
- Classroom Teaching Practicum (clinical hours)
- Clinical Teaching Practicum
- Health Policy & Economics
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:
Expert Insight
If you graduated from a clinical-specialty MSN program, earning your degree is just the beginning. You also need to pass a certification exam and obtain additional licensure before you can start working. For example, if you earned your MSN through a family nurse practitioner (FNP) program, you need to pass an FNP certification exam to earn an advanced practice nursing license before you can practice.
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
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | RNs | $70,800 | $96,430 | $117,900 |
| NPs | $102,940 | $130,140 | $163,720 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | RNs | 148,790 | 155,810 | 7,020 | 4.70% | 8,890 |
| NPs | 8,010 | 11,430 | 3,420 | 42.70% | 770 |
Source: Projections Central
