The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has created the Guide to Graduate Nursing Programs, where they expressed the view that nurses will be in the driver’s seat of the new health care system. If you are looking to advance your nursing practice, this is very welcome news. Indeed, job growth projections are very high, particularly in terms of demand for nurses with an MSN degree.
It is very important that you are able to find a school that completely meets your needs in terms of specialization, entry requirements and degree outcomes. This is particularly true if you are looking at an ADN Bridge to MSN program. These programs are designed for those who hold an RN (registered nurse) license without a bachelor’s degree and who want to become an advanced practice nurse as quickly as possible. Below are what we believe to be the top 5 ADN bridge to MSN nurse practitioner programs for you to consider.
1. University of Mary
The University of Mary offers a nurse administrator ADN to MSN program where students will gain the necessary background in the business concepts of the health care delivery system. The emphasis is on leadership in advanced practice nursing. This will give you the opportunity to identify and work together with a variety of health care organizations, placing you firmly as a nursing leader with all the required clinical experience. The program is an accelerated one that is delivered fully on site. The master’s degree element, however, is also delivered online.
- Campus: Bismarck, ND
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $530 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 46 credits
- Online availability: Some
- Degree requirements: ADN, GPA of 2.5, approval by director
- Programs: Nurse Administrator: ADN to MSN Degree Program
- School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
2. The George Washington University
At George Washington University, an ADN to MSN bridge program exists for both ADNs who have gained working experience and those who have just graduated. The degree includes a number of highly specialized course that allow for both the BSN and MSN degrees to be completed. Students can choose one of three specializations, namely: family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) and nurse midwifery.
- Campus: Washington, DC
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: NLNAC
- Tuition: $595 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 3 years
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: ADN in Virginia that is NLNAC accredited, GPA of 3.0, prerequisite courses, RN, proof of relevant employment
- Programs: ADN to BSN/MSN Program
- School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
- Sponsored School
- Capella University Online Nursing Programs
Capella University offers CCNE-accredited online nursing programs designed to meet the needs of RNs at every career stage:
RN-to-BSN Completion and RN-to-BSN/MSN Combined Option
Post Master's DNP and BSN-to-DNP
3. Frontier Nursing University
Frontier University University offers a bridge program for RNs with an associate’s degree and no bachelor’s degree in any field. When enrolled, students automatically take part in the MSN + Companion DNP program. This means that they can either stop studying once they achieve their master’s education, or they can continue on to get a doctorate degree. It is one of the only schools in the country that effectively offers an ADN to DNP program.
Bridge students start with 12 months of bridge programs before starting their MSN program in a chosen specialty. Once they complete the core competencies of this specialty, their master’s degree can be conferred. At this time, students are ready to take a national certification examination in their chosen specialty. At this point, they can either get to work as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, or they can take a further 17 credit hours to obtain their DNP. There is no need to put in a separate application for this degree.
- Campus: Hyden, KY
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: NLNAC
- Tuition: $42,640.82 for MSN only, $44,200.85 for MSN + add $8,840 for DNP
- Minimum time commitment: 3 years full time
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: RN license, ADN, GPA of 3.0, 1 year’s clinical experience, 3 letters of reference, TOEFL
- Programs: ADN Bridge Entry Option
- School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
4. University of California San Francisco
The University of California San Francisco offers an ADN-MS Pathway for registered nurses who currently hold an associate’s degree and no higher degree in any field of study. Students first enroll at Golden Gate University or at John F. Kennedy University to complete a number of bachelor completion programs. These two schools have partnered with the University of California. It should take between 18 and 24 months to complete this element of the program. After completion, students graduate at the BSN level, at which point they can continue on to the MS program.
- Campus: San Francisco, CA
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $11,220 per year
- Minimum time commitment: 3 years
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: Please contact the Office of Enrollment Services
- Programs: ADN-to-Masters ‘Pathway’ Program
- School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
5. MCPHS University
At MCPHS, those who have a nursing associate’s degree are encouraged to commit to professional growth, allowing them to build collaborative agreements with physicians by becoming a family nurse practitioner. Their ADN to MSN bridge program with an FNP specialization is delivered online to accommodate working students. It is a great entry option for those who hold an associate’s degree and are ready to take on graduate level education.
- Campus: Boston, MA
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $860 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 3 years
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: ADN, GPA of 3.0
- Programs: ADN to MS in Nursing Bridge Program (Family Nurse Practitioner Track)
- School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
source : http://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/top-5-adn-bridge-to-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/
