RN to BSN/MSN Degree Programs: An Introduction

This article was reviewed by by Bonny Kehm, Ph.D., RN; Nancy Bellucci, Ph.D., MSN-Ed., RN.

Nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession. According to survey data published by the Health Resources and Services Administration, there were approximately 3.5 million licensed and actively-working registered nurses as recently as 2022-2023.

In that same survey, 45% of RNs entered the workforce with a bachelor’s degree, and 11% completed an additional degree to qualify as an advanced practice registered nurse, or APRN.

One popular type of degree program for nurses is known as RN to BSN or RN to MSN, which stand for “Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing” and “Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing,” respectively. These degree programs require applicants to have earned a nursing license and typically be actively working.

Here at Columbia Southern University, we’re launching RN to BSN and RN to MSN degree programs – along with three standalone MSN programs – as a part of our new College of Nursing and Health Sciences. In this article, we use the new CSU nursing programs as examples while outlining the following:

How RN to BSN/MSN degree programs work.
RN to BSN/MSN program prerequisites and requirements.
RN to BSN/MSN program classes.

1. RN to BSN/MSN Degree Programs: How They Work

RN to BSN

At the bachelor’s degree level, RN to BSN programs are designed for working registered nurses. These RNs have already completed some education in nursing, often an associate degree or a diploma program offered by a hospital or medical center.

Here at CSU, our RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program requires students to complete 121 credit hours. Of those 121 credit hours, students are granted 30 hours for prior learning by nursing education and their successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam.

The degree completion time depends on the student’s individual pace and the number of courses taken each term.

RN to MSN

For registered nurses who are interested in master’s degrees, RN to MSN programs are popular options. These accelerated dual degree programs allow students to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously, providing them with a fast track to completing both.

The RN to Master of Science in Nursing programs at CSU are divided into three degrees:

Students in these programs replace five undergraduate courses of their bachelor’s degree – or 16 credit hours – with six graduate-level courses – or 19 credit hours – that fulfill some of the undergraduate requirements and are also required for the aligning master’s degree.

After completing 121 credit hours – which include both general education and nursing courses at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels – students receive their BSN. They then seamlessly proceed to complete the remaining seven graduate level courses, culminating in the awarding of their MSN.

The RN to MSN dual degree programs at CSU require fewer total credit hours – 142 or 144 depending on the degree – compared to pursuing both degrees separately, which would require 151-153 credit hours. This not only reduces tuition costs but also shortens the time needed to complete both degrees.

Note: CSU also offers three standalone Master of Science degrees in nursing:

These three programs are designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Prospective students who are interested in a master’s degree, but have not yet completed a bachelor’s, can enroll in the accelerated RN to MSN dual degree programs instead.

2. RN to BSN/MSN Prerequisites and Requirements

The common prerequisite for all RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree programs is that applicants must already be a registered nurse before enrolling.

Here at CSU, students in our RN to BSN and RN to MSN degree programs must have earned an active and unencumbered RN license and maintain it for the duration of the program.

Additionally, before enrolling, CSU nursing students must have earned an associate degree or diploma in nursing from one of the following:**

An approved program.
A program with programmatic accreditation.
A program with specialty accreditation.

Students in the RN to BSN program must maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout the program, while RN to MSN students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

3. RN to BSN/MSN Classes

So, what classes do you have to take for an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree program? Here are some example course titles from CSU’s nursing curriculum:

RN to BSN Class Examples

Community and Public Health Nursing.
Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Aspects for RNs.
Holistic Health Assessment.
Nursing Informatics in Healthcare.
Professional Nursing Leadership and Management.
Research for Professional Practice.

RN to MSN Class Examples

Advanced Holistic Physical Assessment in Nursing Practice.
Effective Writing and Communication for Health Care Professionals.
Evidence-Based Practice and Research.
Knowledge of Nursing Discipline: Scholarship and Innovation.
Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations of Nursing.

Students enrolled in CSU’s RN to MSN dual degree programs select concentrations, so they also take concentration-specific courses such as:

Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing Practice.
Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education.
Clinical Systems Management.
Data Science Information, Knowledge and Wisdom.
Health Information Management: An Applied Approach to Decision Support.
Operations, Systems and Financial Management for Nurse Leaders.

Experiential Learning

In some nursing degree programs, students may be required to complete clinical hours in which they provide direct patient care under supervision. Other degree programs – such as the online nursing degree programs at CSU – feature embedded experiential learning activities.

Experiential learning in programs like CSU’s can provide virtual and hands-on learning opportunities in real-world situations, including:

Completing virtual physical assessments and other digital clinical experiences via tools such as Shadow Health.
Conducting community health assessments.
Interviewing nursing leaders, informatics professionals, or legislators.
Participating in interprofessional team observations.

Getting Started

If you’re interested in enrolling in an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree program, consider these options from Columbia Southern University:

At CSU, our degree programs are designed by nurses for nurses. Our courses are delivered entirely online, providing flexibility for working nurses. Students can access course materials and participate in discussions asynchronously, with optional opportunities for synchronous engagement with faculty and peers. Our online format allows students from around the world to access the program, balancing their studies with work and personal responsibilities.

We know flexibility isn’t a luxury for nurses and health care professionals. It's a necessity. And we know, when you have the resources you need, you can achieve incredible things. Your calling is caring for others. Our calling is caring for you.

Classes for CSU’s nursing degree programs start on January 22, 2025, but students can enroll today.* To learn more, visit our website.

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

*Columbia Southern University’s nursing programs are currently seeking authorization from the Boards of Nursing in the District of Columbia, Idaho, Utah and Washington. Currently, CSU is unable to admit students residing in these states/territories until formal approval is granted but is actively working to secure the necessary authorization.

Applicants must reside and be licensed in the states/territories where Columbia Southern University has the necessary authorization throughout the duration of the program. Students are required to complete all experiential learning experiences only in the states/territories where they hold a valid nursing license, and only in the states where CSU has the necessary authorization.

For more information, email Admissions@ColumbiaSouthern.edu.

**Degrees must be acquired from an approved program, one with programmatic accreditation, or a program with specialty accreditation. All nursing transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools to determine the equivalence of bachelor’s degree in nursing. Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation and pending Prior Learning Assessment process.

RN to BSN/MSN Degree Programs: An Introduction