RN to MSN Bridge Programs in Minnesota

From 2007 through 2009 more baccalaureate educated nurses in Minnesota continued their education earning an MSN (12.7%) than did Diploma (5.2%) or Associate (2.8%) educated nurses.* There are only 3 schools based in Minnesota offering RN to MSN programs, which may be a contributing factor to the lower percentages of ADN and diploma educated nurses continuing their education.

RN to MSN Online Programs Offered in Minnesota

Online RN to MSN programs are an option for associate and diploma educated nurses. These program first covers the baccalaureate education and clinical requirements, then bridge into the master’s level curriculum. A variety of specialization tracks are offered by the schools offering their RN to MSN program online. RN to MSN programs take about 3 years to complete whether it is online or on-campus. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have expressed their support of online RN to MSN programs and the way they have made higher education so much more accessible to nurses throughout the country. Schools are listed below along with their accreditation and contact methods. If 3 years sounds like too much to take on at this time, there is also the RN to BSN option that is also a step up the nursing career ladder but can be completed in as little as 1 year. Learn about the RN to BSN programs offered in Minnesota.

The job outlook for master’s educated nurses in Minnesota is promising. According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing, Annual Nursing Education report from 2008, the need for nursing faculty is extremely high. There has been and is a shortage of nurses in Minnesota and one of the key relief factors is an increase in nursing faculty. To be faculty at a nursing school offering entry-level nursing programs, it is recommended that a master’s degree be the minimal education requirement. This is not the only area of nursing that is in need of master’s educated nurses. Advanced practice nurse are also in demand as many of the health systems in Minnesota work toward a more cost-effective and high quality strategy for patient care where advanced practice nurses will play a larger role. Frontline nurse managers with a master’s education and the leadership training needed to be successful and competent leaders are in need as well.

The bottom line is that the master’s nursing education is a key step to several advanced nursing roles. Learn more bout these programs by requesting information from the schools listed below.

*(Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (Health Workforce and Analysis Program), Minnesota Department of Health, January 2007 thru January 2009 Registered Nurse Survey Responses)

Schools Based in Minnesota Offering RN to MSN Programs

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