RN to MSN

Earn your RN to MSN online

Are you a registered nurse with a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Franklin’s RN to MSN is a streamlined admission path that quickly gets you on track to earning your M.S. in Nursing (MSN). Not only will Franklin’s direct route to an MSN save you time and money, our hassle-free admission process makes it easy to get started. 

Finish in 16-30 Months

Earn your degree and prepare for advancement faster.

Accredited

The master's degree program in nursing at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Qualify in 12 Weeks

Finish your bridge course and be on your way to your MSN.

Online Coursework

Balance earning your degree with other work-life commitments.

Contemporary Curriculum

Evaluate and study trending nursing topics throughout the program.

Learn from the Best

Benefit from the experience of your instructors – seasoned, in-field practitioners.

RN to MSN Program Overview

Grow your nursing knowledge to improve the healthcare experience

As a prerequisite to admission in the M.S. in Nursing (MSN) program - which includes the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track, Family Nurse Practitioner track, the Generalist track or the Nurse Administrator track - you’ll learn the standards expected from a nurse as they relate to professionalism, research and theory to impact practice; leadership roles in quality improvement and information management; healthcare policy and regulation; and healthcare principles for individuals, groups and communities.

Earn an accredited master's in nursing degree

The master's degree program in nursing at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). 

Earn your MSN degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your MSN on your terms by taking classes 100% online. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.

Read more >

Lisa S.

RN to MSN '22

"Franklin University helped me "fast track" my MSN in just 16 months, working full-time. The courses are straightforward and challenging, and the instructors demonstrated that they cared about my success. This degree confers job security, as well as new career options to explore. I work in ambulatory care and plan to move into management or clinical education."

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, post-graduate APRN certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Franklin University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

 

Your Best Value RN-MSN

Choose Franklin’s accelerated RN-MSN admission pathway and you’ll get more for your money while you make the most of your time. Qualify for the MSN in 12 weeks for less than $1,200.  

Lower Fees

Save thousands of dollars in fees by choosing Franklin over other leading programs for your MSN.

Source: Internal research of leading programs (May 2022)

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Tuition Guarantee

Inflation-proof your degree cost by locking-in your tuition rate from day one through graduation.

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RN to MSN Curriculum

You’ll complete a 12-week online bridge course as your gateway to the M.S. in Nursing (MSN) program. Completing the course with a B or better is required for admission. 

Bridge Course
NURS 500 - Essentials of Professional Nursing (4)
This course provides essential foundations of professional nursing practice, as a bridge to the MSN program. Emphasis is placed on scholarship for evidence-based practice, communication and collaboration, and professionalism. The role of the nurse leader in applying theory to practice for quality improvement, information management, and clinical prevention and population health is explored. Course discussion includes the impact of health care policy and finance on healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

 

 

Available MSN Options

Designed to meet the demands of busy registered nurses, Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing (MSN) program enables you to gain the relevant knowledge to advance your career in a flexible, online format that works with your schedule. 

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN-AGPCNP)

Assume a leadership role in patient care with the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - AGPCNP that lets you specialize in the well-being of adolescents and older adults.

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Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)

Manage the care of individuals and families within a primary care setting. Franklin’s 27-month M.S. in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) track blends online coursework with on-site clinicals to equip you to sit for certification exams.

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Generalist (MSN-Generalist)

Excel in a variety of healthcare or education settings with Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing - Generalist (MSN) track. The MSN-Generalist prepares you for leadership roles, advanced practice or nursing education. Complete your degree in as few as 18 months.
 

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Nurse Administrator (MSN-ADM)

Lead strategic change and manage teams with Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track (MSN-ADM). The MSN-ADM prepares you for leadership roles or nursing education. Complete your degree in as few as 16 months.

Learn More

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP)

Take a wellness-based and holistic approach to mental healthcare while also providing integrated care for mental illness in primary care settings with the MSN-PMHNP. 

Learn More

Ready to decide what you want from nursing – and go for it?

Get a FREE guide to help you advance your career, featuring helpful advice and thoughtful insights from nursing experts.

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Options for RNs

At Franklin University, we offer several options to help you achieve your ultimate career goals. Designed for RNs with an associate degree (ADN) or nursing diploma, Franklin’s BSN program and the RN to MSN pathway cater to the demanding schedule of a working nurse. 

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RN to BSN
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RN to MSN (Leadership Tracks)
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RN to MSN (APRN Tracks)

What is it? 

A nursing bachelor’s degree (BSN) program for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or nursing diploma.

What can I do with it?

Elevate your nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. Many healthcare systems prefer to hire, retain and promote RNs who have earned the BSN.

What will I learn?

Beginning nursing theory, practice and research.

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?

The capstone course requires a project. The RN to BSN can be completed 100% online. There is no clinical component.

How many courses are in the program?

120 credit hours with 34 hours (9 courses) in nursing; transfer credit from the associate degree (up to 90 credits) includes 24 hours of nursing coursework.

How quickly can I complete the program?

12 months

How much does the program cost?

See tuition and fees > 

Where can I learn more? 

See the RN to BSN program page > 

What is it? 

A pathway to a nursing master’s degree (MSN) for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or nursing diploma.

What can I do with it?

Take on administrative and leadership roles, as well as nurse educator positions.

What will I learn?

Advanced nursing theory, practice and research; focus on administration, education and informatics.

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?

The capstone course requires 80 hours of clinical time spent on-site with a preceptor at an approved healthcare setting.

How many courses are in the program?

37-42 credit hours; 10-12 courses 

How quickly can I complete the program?

19-21 months

How much does the program cost?

See tuition and fees >

Where can I learn more? 

See the MSN program page >

What is it? 

A pathway to a nursing master’s degree (MSN) with an APRN specialization for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or nursing diploma.

What can I do with it?

Expand your clinical capabilities to manage patient care within the primary care setting as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, a family nurse practitioner, or a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

What will I learn?

Advanced nursing theory, practice and research; focus on clinical application.

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?

Clinical/Practicum courses: NURS 700 is 16 lab hours, and there are four additional clinical courses for each track - each requires 150 clinical hours with a preceptor at a healthcare site.

How many courses are in the program?

45-46 credit hours; 14 courses

How quickly can I complete the program?

30-31 months

How much does the program cost?

See tuition and fees > 

Where can I learn more? 

See the MSN-FNP program page >

See the MSN-AGPCNP program page >

See the MSN-PMHNP program page > 

RN to MSN Program Details

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