Looking to Advance as a Nurse? What You Should Know About the RN to MSN Program

Finally, you weighed the pros and the cons, and you’ve made that major decision to pursue a higher-level career in nursing by going back to school. No doubt, working as a registered nurse is a rewarding experience because you are helping others who are unable to help themselves all too often; you take care of them, as well as assist them in doing the basic activities of daily life that they are too unwell to do on their own.  The next step for a registered nurse to advance in his or her career is to enroll in a RN to MSN program. There are RN to MSN online programs, as well as traditional offline programs at colleges and universities throughout the country. Here's a list of everything you should know about the RN to MSN program, before you start out on your journey.

Do You Want to Attend Full-Time or Part-Time?
Many working registered nurses who want to advance their careers by enrolling in a master's degree program can choose to attend either as a full-time student or on a part-time basis. With online degree programs, you have the flexibility to choose the amount of courses you want to take at a time. When you enroll in the RN to MSN program, you'll only need to take eight classes. In traditional MSN degree programs, you would be required to take 12 online courses. Students who are licensed practical nurses and want to work their way up to a MSN can enroll in the RN to MSN program. This program will put licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, who have an associate's degree, on an accelerated degree path.

What Kind of Financial Aid is Available?
Chances are that you will be searching for financial assistance to help pay for your tuition, since higher education costs can be staggering. If you've never had to deal with financial aid before, because your parents had taken care of it for you when you initially went to school for instance, then it's time for you to know your options. First, you'll need to fill out a FAFSA, which is an application to see if you are eligible for federal loans, grants and scholarships. If eligible, you'll be able to choose from federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, grants and scholarship programs. Ask your employer if they offer a tuition reimbursement program where they'll pay you back for the courses you take, too, as this can be a common occurrence. Keep in mind, though, that the degree program has to be relevant to your career.

What is the Specialty You’re Interested In?
When you enroll in the MSN program, you'll be able to choose to specialize in one of three areas that may spark your interest. They include:

• Patient Care Services Administration- Students can specialize in this area as it helps prepare nurses for leadership positions in administrative settings. You'll learn the different types of administrative skills and tools that are needed to provide quality patient care.

• Clinical Nurse Leader- This specialization is designed to help nurses address complex issues that involve the patient's quality of care, safety and costs. The CNL program prepares nursing students to be able to take the American Association of Colleges of Nursing CNL Certificate Exam.

• Nursing Education- Students who have a passion for teaching and educating others on nursing principles and strategies can enroll in this program. The nursing education curriculum provides students with a better understanding of nursing education issues, experience in becoming an instructor and how to create, design and evaluate nursing curriculums.

What are the Features of the Online Nursing Program?
Online colleges often emphasize personal interaction and attention between the students and faculty members to make for a richer educational experience. There are several additional features you should know before you enroll in a RN to MSN program. They include: 

• The online RN to MSN program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

• Students save time and money when they combine both BSN and MSN studies.

• Online courses provide greater flexibility than their traditional counterparts; for example, you can continue working full-time by taking a few classes online, at a time.

So the last question remains:  are you ready to advance you career by earning a RN to MSN degree? If so, then contact an admissions advisor today to get started.

About the Author:  Adrian Smith is a student in a RN to BSN program. He was on the route to medical school, but after investigating nursing programs, switched.