Online RN to MSN Bridge Program: 10+ No GRE Options!


Becoming a nurse is one of the best career choices that you can make in the 21st century.

This is why many professionals who have a diploma in nursing or an associate’s degree in nursing eventually choose to earn their master of science in nursing (MSN). They are able to do this by attending a nursing bridge program at an online or campus university.

The advantage of doing a bridge program is that you can earn your MSN at the same time as your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). In most bridge programs, you will spend the first year or so studying the bachelor of science coursework, and then the second and third years studying for your MSN.

By furthering your education in this way, you will save at least a year of education time and many thousands of dollars.

By earning your MSN, you will then have many career paths open to you. For example, you can become a well paid nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or even a nurse anesthetist. Professionals in these fields are very well compensated, in some cases earning over $100,000 a year.

Online RN to MSN Degree Programs

The RN to MSN bridge online degree programs that we recommend include:

  • RN to MSN Bridge Program: With this Masters of Science in Nursing RN to MSN bridge program at Chamberlain College of Nursing, you can apply for admission to the MSN program as you are completing your bachelor’s degree. This Masters of Science in Nursing program allows you to finish your BSN while you are also taking the MSN program. To earn your MSN, you will need to do a 100 hour clinical practicum experience. This will give you a chance to practice new skills and to develop your theoretical knowledge base in real world scenarios.
  • RN to MSN: The RN to MSN program at American Sentinel University is a fully accredited, fast track program that is ideal if you are a nurse and want to work in the field for at least 10 years. As an experienced nurse with your RN license, you are able to apply your associate’s degree towards this MSN degree and you do not need to earn your BSN first. You will need to complete 18 bachelor degree hours, and then 36 more hours to earn your MSN.
  • RN to MSN Bridge: At Kaplan University, you have the opportunity to earn your master of science in nursing in this RN to MSN bridge program. Some of the master’s level courses that you will take include Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice, Ethical and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System, and Health Policy, Financing, and Organization of Health Care Delivery.
  • RN to MSN or BSN to MSN: At Walden University, you can choose either the RN to MSN or BSN to MSN track. In this online nursing program, you can study to become a nurse practitioner, a nurse educator, or a nurse skilled in leadership and management. Most nursing students are able to earn their MSN in three years of full time study.
  • MSN – Nurse Education: This program from Capella University will give you your MSN with a focus in nurse education. You will greatly expand your knowledge of health care policies and systems, health promotion, patient education and integration of technology. You also will explore the most advanced nursing theories and practice. Complete your online degree in less than three years. Capella is featured as a top school in the 2017 report of Online Masters Programs.
  • MSN Degree: This MSN program from Sacred Heart University requires you to take only eight MSN classes rather than 12, so you can earn your master’s degree at least a semester or two faster than in other programs. Also, note that you will be awarded your BSN about halfway through the program. So, if you were not able to complete the MSN program, you would still have your BSN that you can use to move into good-paying nursing jobs.
  • RN to MSN Bridge Program: With this Masters of Science in Nursing RN to MSN bridge program at Chamberlain College of Nursing, you can apply for admission to the MSN program as you are completing your bachelor’s degree. This Masters of Science in Nursing program allows you to finish your BSN while you are also taking the MSN program. To earn your MSN, you will need to do a 100 hour clinical practicum experience. This will give you a chance to practice new skills and to develop your theoretical knowledge base in real world scenarios.
  • RN to MSN: The RN to MSN program at American Sentinel University is a fully accredited, fast track program that is ideal if you are a nurse and want to work in the field for at least 10 years. As an experienced nurse with your RN license, you are able to apply your associate’s degree towards this MSN degree and you do not need to earn your BSN first. You will need to complete 18 bachelor degree hours, and then 36 more hours to earn your MSN.
  • MSN Bridge Program: In this bridge MSN program at Gonzaga University, you need to take 66 credit hours if you have an associate’s degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree already, expect to take about 40 credit hours. In this online program, you will study major nursing research methods, how to improve health care and patient outcomes, and how to become an effective nursing leader. You can focus your graduate studies on nursing education or health systems leadership.
  • MSN – Nursing Informatics, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education: At South University, you can combine the curriculums of the BSN and MSN programs so that you can earn both degrees in three years. In this accredited program, you can specialize in nursing informatics, nursing administration and nursing education. This online program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • RN to MSN Bridge: At the University of Delaware, you can take this innovative RN to MSN bridge program in either an online or hybrid format. You will need to do your clinical requirements in your community. You will finish a total of 134 credit hours, and your clinical education is typically focused on adult/geriatric health, children, family health, and health services. Most students are able to complete their program in less than four years.
  • MSN Bridge: This MSN bridge program from Drexel University is well suited for professionals who have an RN, or a bachelor’s degree in another field, and want to earn their master of science in nursing. The bridge portion of the program consists of three undergraduate classes, or a portfolio submission. All of the classes are online and are given to you in 10 week sessions. A once per week clinical session is also required in one of the MSN classes.