Guide to Transitioning RN to MSN Programs

Reasons to Transition from a Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing

As you think about your future, you may be wondering which nursing degree is right for you? Or is it worthwhile to go from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner? New job prospects, potential pay increases, and expanding your knowledge base or specializing are a few reasons why you may want to commit to this path, but of course there are others. Maybe you’re inspired by a personal experience or you’re craving a change in work setting. Whatever the case, keep your personal goals and circumstances at the forefront of your decision and look closely at the differences between roles like the registered nurse vs. nurse practitioner.

The journey may be costly, and tuition varies widely by program. Before you apply, ask each program for its full cost per credit and total credits, whether it charges state residents a different rate, whether you can enroll part-time to spread costs out, and whether your employer offers tuition support. It also pays to look for scholarships available to help ease the cost.

Common Steps to Transition from an RN to an MSN

Transitioning from a registered nurse to a Master of Nursing will not look the same for everyone. There are different types of nursing degrees and certifications that an RN may hold, and the path to an MSN depends on where you start. A typical sequence looks like this:

1. Pick the role you want. The MSN prepares nurses for different jobs, from advanced practice to leadership and teaching (see "What Can You Do With an MSN?" below). Your target role decides which specialization, or track, you need.
2. Match the route to your starting degree. RN-to-MSN programs are built for RNs who hold a nursing diploma or an associate degree, according to AACN. If you already have a BSN, look at BSN-to-MSN programs instead.
3. Check admission requirements. Requirements such as prerequisite courses, minimum GPA and work experience vary by program, so compare each program's own list. To learn more about how to get into nursing school, see our admissions guide.
4. Confirm accreditation. Check a program's status in the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) directory of accredited programs or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) program search.
5. Complete the bridge, then the graduate coursework. The bachelor's-level content comes first, and you must master it before moving on to graduate study, according to AACN. AACN reports that RN-to-MSN programs generally take up to two to three years, with specific requirements varying by school and by your previous coursework.
6. For advanced practice tracks, earn certification and a state license. Under NCSBN's APRN Consensus Model, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are educated at the master's or post-master's level, pass a national certification exam and hold an APRN license. State rules vary, so check with your state board of nursing. Our guide to APRN licensure and certification walks through those steps.

RN to BSN Overview

Before enrolling in an MSN program, you may consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing first. According to AACN, RN-to-BSN programs build on your initial nursing preparation with coursework that develops stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills, prepares you for a broader scope of practice, and gives you a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic and social issues that affect patients and care delivery. If you're weighing other routes, our overview of health care degree programs covers more options.

If you're already an RN with a diploma or an associate degree in nursing (ADN), an RN-to-BSN program typically takes one to two years, depending on the school's requirements, the program type and your previous coursework, according to AACN.

If you receive a BSN and decide that you want to advance to an MSN, you can then apply to a master's program built for nurses who already hold a bachelor's degree.

RN to MSN Overview

If you’ve made up your mind to become an MSN-trained nurse, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of attending nursing school and be fully aware of the learning outcomes of various online MSN programs.

An MSN prepares nurses for roles that require graduate education. AACN lists roles in administration, teaching and research and as clinical nurse leaders, and some MSN tracks prepare nurses for advanced practice roles that provide direct patient care at an advanced level. MSN nurses are committed to improving patient outcomes and may even be presented with the opportunity to impact the overall design and implementation of care.

Though most RN-to-MSN programs are offered in traditional classroom settings, some are offered largely online or in a blended classroom/online format, according to AACN. If you plan to keep working while you study, ask each program about its schedule, part-time options and clinical requirements. Once you have the degree, you might decide to apply for a new role in your current workplace or elsewhere.

RN to BSN to MSN Overview

Everyone’s journey is different. If you earned your RN through a diploma or associate degree program and you're unsure about pursuing an MSN, completing an RN-to-BSN program first could be a start, giving you time to think through the decision before applying to a master's program.

If you're ready to commit, an RN-to-MSN program combines both steps. Upon completion, many RN-to-MSN programs award both the bachelor's and the master's degree, according to AACN, but not all do, so ask each program. When you compare online options, also check whether courses meet live at set times or let you work through material on your own schedule.

Is it Better to do RN to BSN or RN to MSN?

There’s no right answer to this question. Depending on the programs you find and get accepted to, as well as your own personal career goals, either one could potentially be more beneficial for you. The table below compares the two routes for RNs who started with a diploma or associate degree, using AACN's fact sheet on degree completion programs for RNs (updated May 2026).

An RN-to-BSN program is the shorter commitment and keeps the master's decision open. An RN-to-MSN program suits nurses who already know they want a role that requires a graduate degree. With an MSN, you can target administrative positions and roles in education if you wish.

Does an MSN Pay More than a BSN?

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when comparing RN, BSN and MSN pay. They include location, work setting, employer, specialty, number of years of experience, and more. The wage figures below come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which assigns jobs to an occupation based on the work the employee performs, not on their education or training. These estimates therefore can't show how an RN with a BSN is paid compared with an RN with an associate degree, though some practice settings require or prefer the bachelor's degree for specific nursing roles, according to AACN.

OEWS does publish wages for occupations that MSN-prepared nurses commonly fill. These May 2025 figures cover workers at all experience levels, so they are not starting pay:

^{Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 national estimates.}

According to that BLS data, nurse practitioners had a median annual wage $34,750 higher than registered nurses in May 2025 (our calculation from the national medians above). Nurse practitioners need a graduate degree: NCSBN's APRN Consensus Model places APRN education at the master's or post-master's level. Some nurse practitioners can make even more, depending on the factors listed above; the top 10% of nurse practitioners earned more than $174,420 in May 2025, according to BLS. Location matters too: nurse practitioners in California had a median annual wage of $168,520 in May 2025, according to BLS, while nurse practitioners in Tennessee had a median annual wage of $117,590.

To learn more about earning potential and how it varies by state, refer to our nursing salary guide.

What Can You Do With an MSN?

An MSN can lead to clinical and nonclinical roles. Which ones are open to you depends on the track you complete:

• Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). NCSBN's APRN Consensus Model names four APRN roles: certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist and certified registered nurse anesthetist. The model calls for education in a specific role and patient population at the master's or post-master's level, national certification and an APRN license; state requirements vary.
• Nurse anesthesia is now doctoral. According to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), all U.S. nurse anesthesia educational programs are at the doctoral degree level, so an MSN alone does not lead to this role.
• Leadership, teaching and research. AACN lists administration, teaching, research and clinical nurse leader roles among the positions RN-to-MSN programs prepare nurses for. AACN also notes that a doctoral degree is necessary for the full nurse faculty role in senior colleges and universities, so nurses aiming for those faculty jobs may treat the MSN as a step toward a doctorate.

Find the Best Online RN to MSN Program for You

An MSN may allow you to expand your nursing skills and move into a role that fits your goals. After you’ve decided what you want out of your nursing career, you can begin looking at which universities and programs fit your goals. Each university has its own courses, schedules, and costs. Before you apply, check each program for:

• Accreditation: current status in the CCNE or ACEN directory linked in the steps above.
• Your specialization: whether the program offers the track that leads to your target role, and for advanced practice tracks, whether graduates are eligible for the national certification exam in that role.
• A bachelor's degree along the way: whether the program awards a BSN partway through, which matters if you need to stop before finishing the master's.
• Clinical hours: how many are required, and whether the program finds clinical placements for online students or expects you to arrange them.
• Schedule and format: part-time options, live versus self-paced online classes, and any required campus visits.
• Total cost: tuition, fees and the funding you can line up, including employer tuition support and scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions About RN to MSN Programs

Can you go straight from RN to MSN?

Yes, if you hold a nursing diploma or an associate degree. RN-to-MSN bridge programs exist for those nurses and build the bachelor's-level content into the start of the program, according to AACN. You don't skip that content; you complete it inside the program.

How long does an RN-to-MSN program take?

AACN reports that RN-to-MSN programs generally take up to two to three years, with requirements varying by school and by your previous coursework.

Do RN-to-MSN programs award a BSN?

Many do. AACN notes that many programs award both the bachelor's and master's degree upon completion. Ask each program, especially if you might need to stop partway through.

How do you write RN and MSN after your name?

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recommends listing your highest earned degree first, then your license, followed by state designations, national certifications and awards. A nurse with an MSN and an RN license would write "MSN, RN." On legal documents, use the credentials your state requires.