While a bachelor's degree may qualify you for many nursing positions, some career paths require a master's degree—especially for leadership positions that offer higher income potential.* If you are an RN and your career goals require earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing AND a Master of Science in Nursing, consider the RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option. A combination of undergraduate and more advanced graduate-level courses, the RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option is a convenient route to earning a master’s degree in nursing.

The RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option offers associate’s- or diploma-level nurses and nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field the opportunity to satisfy specific core requirements for Kaplan University’s Master of Science in Nursing program while completing their bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students then have the opportunity to enter Kaplan University’s Master of Science in Nursing program in a condensed format. Students completing this accelerated program will earn their Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees at a faster pace and lower cost than completing each degree separately.

The RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option can significantly shorten the time it takes to earn a Kaplan University Master of Science in Nursing degree. Usually a 13-course program, students choosing the RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option can earn a master’s degree by completing as few as 9 additional graduate-level courses once they complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Program Highlights

The RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option begins with undergraduate courses designed to build a foundation for future success in advanced nursing roles. Students then move on to complete graduate-level courses based on their previous level of education. Whether you have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in another field or are just beginning to further your education, this innovative curriculum aims to encourage critical thinking, enhance communication techniques, and address the managerial and technical competencies required by health care employers today. It features:

• A strong focus on professional leadership with courses in management, informatics, research, emerging trends in health care therapies, health assessment, and community nursing
• An emphasis on health promotion, health care information, professional ethics, diversity, and health care management
• A capstone in nursing, completed in your community with the guidance of expert faculty, designed to improve the delivery of patient care by allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills you learn online in a real-world setting
• Graduate-level courses in advanced nursing theory, and ethical and legal perspectives of the health care system with a direct track to completing a Kaplan University master’s degree in nursing
• A dedicated faculty of practicing professionals who have attained high levels of achievement in their respective fields

Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ BSN / Prior Degree Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ BSN / Core Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ BSN / Major Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ BSN / Open Elective Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ BSN / Total Program Requirements Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ MSN / Core Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ MSN / Specialization Associate’s- or Diploma-Level Nurses/ MSN / Total Program Requirements Bachelor-Level Nurses/ BSN / Prior Degree Bachelor-Level Nurses/ BSN / Core Bachelor-Level Nurses/ BSN / Major Bachelor-Level Nurses/ BSN / Open Elective Bachelor-Level Nurses/ BSN / Total Program Requirements Bachelor-Level Nurses/ MSN / Core Bachelor-Level Nurses/ MSN / Specialization Bachelor-Level Nurses/ MSN / Total Program Requirements

Courses Credits Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Nursing 90 Courses Credits Bioethics 5 Statistics 5 Psychology 5 Arts and Humanities Course 6 Physical Science Course 6 Social Science Course 6 Courses Credits Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing 5 Ethical and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System 5 Professional Leadership Transitions 6 Health/Wellness Assessment and Strategies 6 Nursing Research 6 Leadership and Management in the Changing Health Care Environment 6 Leadership Concepts in Population-Focused Nursing 6 Bachelor’s Capstone in Nursing 6 Courses Credits Advanced Nursing Roles 5 Open Elective 6 Total Program Requirements 90 credits for BSN; 48 credits for MSN Courses Credits Advanced Statistics for the Health Sciences 5 Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice 5 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in a Diverse Community 5 Health Policy, Financing, and Organization of Health Care Delivery Systems 5 Note: Students who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must apply for admission to the Kaplan University Master of Science in Nursing program. Courses Credits Specialization Courses 28 Total Program Requirements 48 Courses Credits Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Nursing 90 Courses Credits Bioethics 5 Statistics 5 Psychology 5 Arts and Humanities Course 6 Physical Science Course 6 Social Science Course 6 Courses Credits Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing 5 Ethical and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System 5 Professional Leadership Transitions 6 Health/Wellness Assessment and Strategies 6 Nursing Research 6 Leadership and Management in the Changing Health Care Environment 6 Leadership Concepts in Population-Focused Nursing 6 Bachelor’s Capstone in Nursing 6 Courses Credits Advanced Nursing Roles 5 Health Policy, Financing, and Organization of Health Care Delivery Systems 5 Open Elective* 6 * Students are eligible to apply prior learning credit toward the 6 quarter credit hour open elective. Total Program Requirements 95 (Note: An additional 90 credits are required from your requisite associate's degree or diploma in nursing) Courses Credits Advanced Statistics for the Health Sciences 5 Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice 5 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in a Diverse Community 5 Note: Students who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must apply for admission to the Kaplan University Master of Science in Nursing program. Courses Credits Specialization Courses 28 Total Program Requirements 43

Registered nurses with a master's degree may find career opportunities in management or administration in various health care organizations, small businesses, nursing education programs, or as a nursing consultant.* A Master of Science in Nursing is also a foundation for future doctoral studies.†

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

*Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.
†While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate or doctoral programs.