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College of Nursing

Frequently Asked Questions About RN to MSN Programs

June 27, 2025
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Girl in scrubs works hard on nursing school success in library.

If you already have your registered nurse (RN) license and are looking to take your career to the next level, have you considered an RN to MSN program? With the nursing profession quickly evolving, more employers are looking for nurses with advanced degrees and skill sets to fill leadership positions and other specialized roles. An RN to MSN program can offer a streamlined educational path for RNs looking to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees while bypassing the “traditional” Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) route.

Could an RN to MSN program be right for you? With answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about RN to MSN bridge programs, you can embark on the next step of your career journey with confidence.

Considering an RN to MSN Program? Get Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions

What is MSN in nursing, anyway? A Master of Science in Nursing is a graduate-level degree program that is generally designed to prepare students for more advanced nursing roles, including those that involve leading teams or overseeing entire nursing departments. For those with an ADN and RN license, pursuing an MSN can be a great way to develop specialized nursing skills. 

Below, you can explore answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about RN to MSN programs — particularly as they relate to admissions, curriculum, timeline, and career outcomes through the RN to MSN program at Baker College.

1. What Is an RN to MSN Program?

Specifically, an RN to MSN program is a graduate-level degree track for students who already have an ADN and an active RN license. Through an RN to MSN program, students can earn their graduate degrees without having to complete a BSN first. This, in turn, allows students to obtain their MSN degrees faster while streamlining costs.

Baker College’s RN to MSN program consists of 48 credit hours that are broken down into 15 hours of bridge courses, 24 of core nursing courses, and 9 cognate courses.

2. Can You Enroll in an MSN Program Without a BSN?

Can you get an MSN without a BSN? It is possible to enroll in an MSN program without having completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In an RN to MSN bridge program, the curriculum is specifically designed to include coursework that covers BSN-level competencies before progressing to MSN coursework. In order to be eligible for an RN to MSN program, however, students need to have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and a current RN license.

3. What Are the Admission Requirements for RN to MSN Programs?

How can you go from RN to MSN? Baker’s RN to MSN program requires that students carry an unencumbered RN license in the United States, District of Columbia, or United States territories. Canadian applicants must carry an unencumbered RN license from Canada and complete the program’s specific practicum experiences under the direct supervision of a baccalaureate nurse licensed in Canada. This ensures that incoming students have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to complete more complex nursing coursework at the graduate level.

4. How Long Does an RN to MSN Program Take to Complete?

How long is an RN to MSN program, anyway? Many factors can affect how long it takes a student to complete an RN to MSN program. In general, though, RN to MSN programs take anywhere from about two to three years, give or take. Also, different specializations or concentrations may require additional coursework that could affect a student’s length of study.

For instance, a student who is enrolled full time will complete Baker College’s 48-credit-hour program faster than a student who is enrolled part time. Our RN to MSN program is completed in an average of three years. 

5. What Specializations Are Available in RN to MSN Programs?

Choosing a specialization within your RN to MSN program can be a great way to deepen your education in a certain area of the field that is of interest to you. Depending on the specific school and program you’re considering, there may be a number of specializations available for you to explore. A couple of common examples of specializations in an RN to MSN program (both of which are offered at Baker College) include:

  • Nursing education prepares nurses to teach in academic or clinical settings. Relevant courses include Instructional Strategies, Curriculum Development, and Evaluation Strategies.
  • Nursing administration emphasizes leadership and management within healthcare organizations. Relevant RN to MSN courses include Nursing Theory and Research, Health Law and Ethics, Healthcare Finance, and Nursing Leadership and Management. 

6. What Courses Are Typically Included in an RN to MSN Curriculum?

The RN to MSN program at Baker College comprises 48 credits, which are broken down as follows:

  • 15 credits of bridge courses
  • 24 hours of core nursing courses
  • 9 hours of cognate courses

Bridge courses are designed to roll components of a BSN education into the RN to MSN program. Examples of bridge courses that must be completed prior to any specialty track courses include:

  • Evidence-Based Practice for the BSN
  • Community Health Nursing
  • Fundamentals of Nursing Practice

Meanwhile, core nursing courses include:

  • Advanced Nursing Practice Roles
  • Nursing Theory and Research
  • Healthcare Systems, Policy, and Advocacy
  • Informatics and Healthcare Technologies

7. Are Online RN to MSN Programs Available?

Yes, in fact, Baker College’s RN to MSN program is offered in an online format, which can be convenient for working professionals who may otherwise have a hard time attending in-person classes and/or commuting to campus. However, it is important to note that with any online nursing program, there are still some components that must be completed in person but not directly on campus. This includes Barker’s graduate practicum, which requires students to work directly with a preceptor of their choice to examine and deepen knowledge in their chosen specialization.

Students enrolled in Baker’s online RN to MSN program also enjoy access to a wide range of technology, resources, and support — including our Academic Resource Center, Learning Support Services, and a robust Career Services department.

8. What Are the Career Outcomes with an MSN Degree?

An MSN degree is designed to equip graduates with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to pursue any number of rewarding careers in the nursing field, including in such roles as:

  • Nurse educator
  • Nursing director
  • Nurse manager
  • Chief nursing officer
  • Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)

9. Why Choose an RN to MSN Program in Michigan?

Exploring RN to MSN programs in Michigan can be a great way to open up doors of opportunity throughout the state’s rural and underserved communities. Across the state, there’s a particularly high demand for APRNs and other specialized nursing professionals. Baker’s program specifically supports students with local access to clinical partners and healthcare systems, as well as ongoing career services and employer partnership opportunities within the state’s healthcare industry.

10. Is an RN to MSN Program Right for Me?

Ultimately, the decision to pursue (or not pursue) an RN to MSN is entirely your own and will depend on your specific interests, strengths, and professional goals. However, if you already have your ADN and carry a current RN license, an RN to MSN program could be ideal if you have clear career goals in nursing leadership, education, or advanced practice.

Likewise, if you are looking to save time and money by skipping a separate BSN program — and ready to tackle graduate-level coursework while juggling clinical/professional demands — then this program might be right for you. Because Baker’s RN to MSN program rolls BSN coursework into its curriculum, bypassing the “traditional” BSN altogether could save you some of your hard-earned money while expediting the process of earning your graduate-level degree within three years. Because of the online nature and rigorous coursework of this program, students should also have excellent time management skills and self-discipline.

Explore Your Future in Advanced Nursing with an RN to MSN Degree

For those who are serious about advancing their careers in nursing and already have an unencumbered RN license with an ADN degree, an RN to MSN program could save time and expense when compared to earning a BSN first. At the same time, the right RN to MSN program could prepare you for any number of roles in the healthcare industry, including leadership roles like chief nursing officer and nursing director.Looking specifically for RN to MSN programs in Michigan? At Baker College, our RN to MSN curriculum consists of 51 credit hours and is designed to be completed in an average of just three years. Plus, because this program is offered online, you can work your studies into your schedule without putting your life on hold. Connect with us to learn more about our RN to MSN degree program today, or get started on your online application.

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