Top ADN to MSN (RN to NP) Programs

Bloomsburg University offers two RN to NP programs: Adult-Gerontology and Family/Individual Across the Life Span. Students do not have to have the required one year of bedside clinical experience before the start of the program but must have one year of experience before the start of clinicals. 

Core courses are asynchronous online. Clinical courses are synchronous online with minimal on-campus requirements. Students can complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis. 

The RN to FNP program at Spring Arbor University is a four-year program requiring 87 total credit hours and 625 in-person clinical hours. The program is specifically designed for working nurses with four start dates throughout the year, allowing students to take one seven-week course at a time and a week off in between. The program is held entirely online, except for in-person clinicals and one four-day campus residency during the third year. 

The RN-to-NP program at the University of South Alabama is broken into two components: BSN completion and MSN. Students may pursue the following specialties: Informatics, Nursing Administration, Clinical Nurse Leader, or Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Nursing. 

The program is extremely competitive, requiring students interested in becoming an NP to have at least two years of clinical experience before beginning clinical nurse practitioner specialty courses.

WCU offers RN-MSN programs in the following specialties: AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, and PMHNP. There are 8-week terms that allow for multiple start dates throughout the year, with several programs being completed in as few as 20 months. There are six RN to MSN specializations available to students with an accelerated and a working professional pathway. Accelerated programs can be completed in 20 to 32 months, with working professionals earning degrees in 32 to 44 months. 

While didactic courses are held online, two on-site intensives allow students to have hands-on practice during an immersive experience. 

Students enrolled in the RN to BSN to MSN Upward Mobility program at Regis College can choose between five NP tracks. Specializations include Family NP, Pediatric NP, Women's Health NP, Adult-Gerontology NP, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NP. 

South College offers an RN to NP with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus. Designed to accommodate the schedules of working nurses, the program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical practice experiences.

NP programs can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding a clinical practicum site. Walden University offers the Walden Practicum Pledge, a collaborative approach to help you navigate the practicum process and better ensure a successful placement. If, for some reason, you cannot find a practicum site and preceptor, the Field Placement Team partners with you to secure a site and preceptor. This can help tremendously as NP programs require multiple clinical rotations. 

Students can also add an MBA degree to the end of their program in as little as 9 months, which can be helpful for those interested in taking on an administrative role. 

The program at MCPHS is one of the best on the East Coast, as this college specializes in the healthcare profession. The dedication from faculty, the services available, and the connections students can make are unparalleled. The program is entirely online, with the exception of clinicals, and starts every fall. Because of the one-time-a-year start date, this RN-to-NP position is extremely competitive. Students will graduate with an FNP degree. 

The RN to MSN program prepares students to become FNP upon graduation. The degree sequence is designed to be part-time, allowing students to work full-time. 

The FNP degree is offered completely online and only admits new students in the fall semester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but students are encouraged to apply early to qualify for federal student aid and scholarships. Additionally, if there are not enough qualified applicants for the program, the university reserves the right to defer admission.  

Students interested in the RN to MSN program at Carlow University can apply anytime and start in the fall or spring. The program is offered at three different campuses. 

The course format consists of web-based coursework, an evening class twice per month on campus, and required clinical hours (600 hours in a mix of urban and rural healthcare agencies). Students can enroll full-time or part-time, depending on their desire to work during the program.