Military BenefitsMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Master's Degree
Online Program
- Next Start Dates
- January 04, 2021
- April 05, 2021
3 specialties
aligned with advanced nursing standards
CCNE
accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education2
Step Out as a Leader with Your MSN Degree
Join our thriving nursing network of over 7,500 Nursing students, 16,000 Nursing alumni and 750 Nursing faculty.3 Our online CCNE-accredited2 Master’s degree in Nursing is offered in a flexible competency-based education (CBE) format that ensures graduates do more than study the material—they actively demonstrate skills and proficiency required to flourish in their career.
- Work quickly through material you already know and slow down through new advanced topics
- Participate in live lectures or listen to recorded lectures when it's convenient
- Leverage flexible deadlines so coursework doesn't get in the way of your personal and professional life
We understand that life is busy and unpredictable, but with four start dates a year, no GRE requirement and no application fee, you can start your MSN degree without delay—and the time is now.
Let's Get StartedOn this page:
Three Advanced Nursing Specializations
Your nursing talents are unique. That’s why Rasmussen College gives you the choice of three specializations to help define your career course. Prepare for the current and future of healthcare as a nursing leader, regardless of the specialization you choose. Each specialization includes a common foundation of seven core MSN courses, but allows you to pursue your passion with five specialization-specific courses. You'll also have the opportunity to apply newly-acquired advanced skills through practicum experiences in your own community.
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Nursing Leadership and Administration
You Bring
- An interest in leadership and the business side of nursing
- A passion for clinical excellence and affecting change in nursing practices and patient care
- Readiness to impact management and policy discussions
You'll Study
- Nursing leadership
- Administration and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Human resources/performance management
- Finances
Career Paths
- Chief nursing officer
- Director of nursing
- Nurse manager
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse executive
- Nurse compliance inspector
- Case manager
Specialization Courses
- Advanced Nursing Leadership // NGR 6801
- Focuses on the knowledge, abilities and skills that guide advanced nursing leadership.
- Meaningful Communication and Collaboration // NGR 6250
- Emphasizes the importance of effective communication and building relationships to help facilitate leadership.
- The Business Side of Nursing // NGR 6100
- Provides the tools to evaluate healthcare economics as an essential part of nursing leadership development.
- Leadership and Management in Advanced Nursing Practice // NGR 6117
- An indirect-care practicum that allows you to utilize newly-developed leadership knowledge and skills at an advanced nursing practice level.
- Advanced Nursing Practice // NGR 6703
- Frames the opportunity to engage in a graduate level, direct-care practicum integrating newly-acquired advanced nursing knowledge into practice.
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Nursing Education
You Bring
- A passion to train and educate current and future nurses for a role in hospital or academic settings
- A desire to assist in the career growth of current and future nurses, and help address nursing shortages
You'll Study
- Nursing leadership within an educational setting
- How to build pathways to create transformational learning
- Effective curriculum design
- A variety of teaching strategies
Career Paths
- Director of education
- Nursing faculty
- Academic leadership
- Staff development leader in healthcare organizations
Specialization Courses
- Role of the Nurse Educator // NGR 6701
- Teaches the essential foundations of the nurse educator role.
- Curriculum Design and Program Evaluation // NGR 6300
- Analyzes the ingredients in building a successful curriculum. Learn how to evaluate programs and how to align with evidence-based nursing education strategies and national guidelines.
- Nursing Education in the Classroom // NGR 6050
- Implements working strategies to improve levels of achievement. Practicum focuses on the role of the nurse-educator and the application of creative teaching strategies.
- Nursing Education in the Clinical Setting // NGR 6150
- Centers on the role of a clinical nurse educator, with a practicum experience focusing on creative teaching strategies in a clinical environment.
- Advanced Nursing Practice // NGR 6703
- Frames the opportunity to engage in a graduate level, direct-care practicum integrating newly-acquired advanced nursing knowledge into practice.
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Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics
You Bring
- A passion to pursue transformative healthcare through informatics, emerging technology and simulation
- Readiness to champion innovation through the lens of technology and data
- A passion to serve as a translator and health technology innovator to amplify the voices of clinicians and patients
You'll Study
- The use of simulation in healthcare and nursing education
- Evolving opportunities in nursing informatics, where data and technology are leveraged to drive desired outcomes
- The latest and emerging healthcare-advancing technologies
Career Paths
- Chief nursing informatics officer
- Director of clinical Informatics
- Clinical analyst
- Nursing/clinical informatics specialist
- Clinical educator
- Simulation education specialist
- Simulation coordinator or technologist
- Director of innovation
- Innovation specialist
Specialization Courses
- Healthcare Technology // NGR 6820
- Examines the use of current health technology and considers the direction of future innovation.
- Simulation in Healthcare // NGR 6716
- Focuses on best practices for simulation-based education (SBE), with an opportunity to design components of simulation experiences and operations.
- Informatics in Advanced Nursing Practice // NGR 6870
- Introduces the foundations of nursing informatics. Includes standards of professional practice and use of evidence and theories specific to informatics.
- Integrating Technology // NGR 6840
- A chance to show your skills in an indirect-care practicum experience. Take part in analysis of internal and external evidence; devise theories and solutions to real problems.
- Advanced Nursing Practice // NGR 6703
- Frames the opportunity to engage in a graduate level, direct-care practicum integrating newly-acquired advanced nursing knowledge into practice.
Built for Working Nurses
Our program is designed for busy nurses, so you can continue to work while you earn your degree. We offer 100% online curriculum complemented by local practicum experiences and four start dates per year.
MSN on Your Schedule
Online courses and competency-based education help make school work on your schedule, not the other way around. You can access your courses anytime and anywhere that is convenient for you.
Support at Every Turn
From 24/7 tech support, experienced faculty, graduate services advisors and career services to library and learning services with over 400,000 ebooks and electronic reference materials, we’re dedicated to a robust learning community.
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
- Completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term.
- The Master of Science in Nursing degree program at Rasmussen College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
- As of July 14, 2020, Rasmussen College had 7,564 students enrolled in School of Nursing programs. As of June 30, 2020, Rasmussen College had 16,032 nursing alumni. This number represents the total number of those who graduated from a School of Nursing program between March 20, 2006, and June 30, 2020. For the spring quarter of 2020 (April - June), Rasmussen College had 767 full-time and adjunct nursing faculty.
- Estimated total program cost with no transfer of credit.
Get Credit for What You Know
Practicum Skills
Synthesize and apply your classroom learning and work experience in local practicum experiences within your community.
Dedicated Career Services
Job-search strategies, resume building, interview practice and employer networking—online and available anytime.
Education Built for Experienced Nurses
Online
On the go or at home, online courses allow you to learn at your pace, wherever you work best.
Competency-Based Education (CBE)
Demonstrate what you already know and move faster through courses, or slow down and focus on new material.
Tuition & Savings
Do the Math:
We are committed to providing affordable tuition and breaking down the numbers so that you can see how achievable your goals are. With four start dates a year, 11-week terms and a total of 12 courses, full-time students can finish in as few as 18 months for as low as $21,915.14
$395 cost per credit
x 48 total credits
_______________________
$18,960 total tuition
+ $2,955 total fees
_______________________
$21,915 estimated total program cost
Other Ways to Save
Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how our Master’s in Nursing online program can be more affordable with loans and grants, scholarship opportunities, and military grants for those who qualify. Your employer may have an education alliance with us to help you qualify for a corporate grant. We are also committed to helping members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. A reduced cost per credit is offered to active duty service members and a 10% tuition grant to National Guard, Reserve, retired military and veterans. Active duty service members can complete the MSN degree program for as little as $11,000.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants to this program must hold a conferred Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, possess a current unencumbered RN license that is valid in the United States and provide two letters of reference (one professional and one personal). This program is not available to residents of all states. Please speak with an admissions advisor to determine your eligibility for enrollment. A cleared background check will be required for participation at practicum sites.