Top RN to MSN Programs (With No BSN Required)

Franklin University is an online program that provides a contemporary curriculum offered by seasoned in-field practitioners. 

Students must complete a 12-week online bridge course as a gateway to the MSN program. Students can complete this for less than $1,200 and need a minimum of a B to proceed. The admission process is streamlined and hassle-free. Franklin does not require the GRE for applicants, which can be helpful, especially for students who are not great at standardized tests. 

Baker University allows graduates to progress at their own pace and shortens the time to graduation. This program has start times in January and August. 

All coursework is done online, and practicums take place in your community, so you can earn your degree where you live and work. Applicants are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the bridge program. Students have a minimum of eight years to complete the ADN to MSN program but most complete in a quicker amount of time. They offer RN-MSN programs in the Nursing Administration and Nursing Education tracks.

The online bridge program at MCPHS builds on the students’ ADN so they can move into graduate studies seamlessly.  An added bonus to MCPHS’ program is that this school only awards degrees to students in the medical and health realm. This school specializes in healthcare which means resources are tailored to  nurses. 

The program is designed to meet the needs of busy students with a majority online curriculum with four on-campus meetings. A personal statement is required as part of the admission process. Students complete 540 clinical hours throughout three in-person clinical rotations. 

The University of Mary offers an online ADN to MSN with a focus on Nursing Leadership & Management. This degree program allows students to advance their careers while continuing to work full-time. 

This program is best for nurses seeking leadership positions, unit managers, and care coordinators.  This program is specifically designed for students who will partner with healthcare organizations and a specific nurse leader to learn the integration of nursing and management theory. 

The RN to MSN program at the University of Mississippi offers a flexible plan of study. There are six predominantly online options to choose from, including nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and administration. 

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the state's only academic health sciences center, and students have access to four major hospitals — Children's of Mississippi, University Hospital, Wallace Conerly Critical Care Hospital, and Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants.

The RN to MSN bridge program at LaSalle University provides students with a strong foundation to build a professional nursing career.  Upon acceptance to the program, students will be required to complete four undergraduate courses. The bridge program is rooted in advanced theoretical, research-based, scientific, and clinical knowledge. 

Students must successfully complete four undergraduate courses with a minimum GPA of 3.2 in order to continue to the MSN portion. 

The RN to MSN bridge program at Wilkes University is completely online with three concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric/Mental Health (PMHNP). 

Wilkes University provides engaging clinical placement services that prepare students for success in their future practice. With the exception of clinicals and residencies, the remainder of the coursework is 100% online. 

The RN to MSN bridge program is an affordable way for registered nurses to return to school and expand their career opportunities. This liberal arts foundation prepares nurses to assume leadership positions in education, management, and clinical practice.

The RN to MSN bridge program is an affordable way for registered nurses to return to school and expand their career opportunities. This liberal arts foundation prepares nurses to assume leadership positions in education, management, and clinical practice. Five specializations are available, including forensic nursing, informatics, nursing education, public health, and administration/management. 

Students enjoy Aspen’s self-paced courses that start every 2 weeks and flexibility for students that have work or personal commitments. 

The RN to MSN program at Herzing University provides 100% online coursework. The Herzing Everywhere Classroom offers learning on your schedule and at your own pace from experienced faculty.

There are six specializations available including Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, and Nursing Leadership and Administration concentrations.

The RN to MSN program at the University of Texas at Arlington Online offers several options for nurses who want to move straight into a master’s degree program. 

There is a general RN to MSN program, but there are also several RN to MSN Nurse Practitioner options available, including Family NP, Adult Gerontology NP, and Pediatric NP programs. These programs take significantly more time and are more expensive than the RN to MSN general program.