RN to Master of Science in Nursing

Official Program Name:

RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing Option

School Offering Program:

Kaplan University

Degree Level:

Bachelor of Science

Program Description:

Kaplan University's RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option program is intended for associate's- or diploma-level nurses and nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field. The accelerated option gives students the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees at a faster pace than earning each degree separately. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students can earn a master's degree by completing a minimum of nine additional graduate-level courses. Students who enroll in this accelerated option will have the opportunity to study nursing and health care management, professional ethics, health promotion, emerging health care therapies, advanced nursing theory, and legal perspectives of the health care system.

Learning Format:

Online

Program Length/Total Credits Required:

90 credits minimum for bachelor's degree; 43 credits minimum for master's degree. Kaplan University defines an academic year as the time in which a full-time undergraduate student is expected to complete three terms of instructional time. Full-time undergraduate students are expected to complete at least 36 credit hours within the academic year. Full time graduate students are expected to complete 24 credit hours in 33 weeks.

Financial Aid Available:

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Aid opportunities include federal grants; military aid; and federal, state, and private lending programs.

Required Courses for a RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing Option:

Degree program and course requirements are subject to change. Contact Kaplan University to confirm the most accurate information before enrolling in a program.

Option I: Associate's- or Diploma-Level Nurses

BSN Major Requirements

• MN 502: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing (5 credits)
• MN 506: Ethical and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System (5 credits)
• NU 300: Professional Leadership Transitions (6 credits)
• NU 304: Health/Wellness Assessment and Strategies (6 credits)
• NU 310: Nursing Research (6 credits)
• NU 420: Leadership and Management in the Changing Health Care Environment (6 credits)
• NU 450: Leadership Concepts in Population-Focused Nursing (6 credits)
• NU 499: Bachelor's Capstone in Nursing (6 credits)

BSN Electives

• MN 501: Advanced Nursing Roles (5 credits)
• Open Elective (6 credits)

BSN Core Requirements

• HU 280: Bioethics (5 credits)
• MM 207: Statistics (5 credits)
• SS 124: Psychology (5 credits)
• 300/400-level: Arts and Humanities Course (6 credits)
• 300/400-level: Physical Science Course (6 credits)
• 300/400-level: Social Science Course (6 credits)

MSN Core and Specialization Requirements

• MN 503: Advanced Statistics for the Health Sciences (5 credits)
• MN 504: Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
• MN 505: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in a Diverse Community (5 credits)
• MN 507: Health Policy, Financing, and Organization of Health Care Delivery Systems (5 credits)
• Specialization Courses: (28 credits)

Option II: Bachelor's-Level Nurses

BSN Major Requirements

• MN 502: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing (5 credits)
• MN 506: Ethical and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System (5 credits)
• NU 300: Professional Leadership Transitions (6 credits)
• NU 304: Health/Wellness Assessment and Strategies (6 credits)
• NU 310: Nursing Research (6 credits)
• NU 420: Leadership and Management in the Changing Health Care Environment (6 credits)
• NU 450: Leadership Concepts in Population-Focused Nursing (6 credits)
• NU 499: Bachelor's Capstone in Nursing (6 credits)

BSN Electives

• MN 501: Advanced Nursing Roles (5 credits)
• MN 507: Health Policy, Financing, and Organization of Health Care Delivery Systems (5 credits)
• Open Elective (6 credits)

BSN Core Requirements

• HU 280: Bioethics (5 credits)
• MM 207: Statistics (5 credits)
• SS 124: Psychology (5 credits)
• 300/400-level: Arts and Humanities Course (6 credits)
• 300/400-level: Physical Science Course (6 credits)
• 300/400-level: Social Science Course (6 credits)

MSN Core and Specialization Requirements

• MN 503: Advanced Statistics for the Health Sciences (5 credits)
• MN 504: Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
• MN 505: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in a Diverse Community (5 credits)
• Specialization Courses: (28 credits)

Postgraduation Opportunities

Career Paths:

Kaplan University's RN to Master of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare RNs to assume advanced roles within the nursing field. While enrolled in this accelerated program, students will have the opportunity to obtain specialized nursing and leadership skills needed to work in management and supervisory positions within health care organizations, small businesses, and nursing education programs.

Positions graduates could pursue include:

• Nurse case manager
• Nurse supervisor
• Nurse administrator
• Nursing consultant
• Executive director (health care setting)
• Chief operating officer (health care setting)