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RN to MSN

Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner

Preparing You To Excel

Our 100% online (excluding clinicals and residencies) RN to MSN program* is for registered nurses with an associate degree who want to achieve their MSN degree and become nurse practitioners. The program focuses on the advanced clinical skills that are in high demand, professionalism, and evidence-based practice for improved patient outcomes. We offer three concentrations to give you the opportunity to align your education with your career goals: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Psychiatric/Mental Health.

Our integrated exam preparation courses provide dedicated study resources that lead to impressive passing rates and graduate success. Wilkes nurses have pass rates on board certification exams that are consistently above the national average.

*A pass-through bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is not granted as part of the RN to MSN program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis based on the following criteria.

  • Associate degree in nursing (ADN with a 3.0 GPA) with official transcripts from an institution with programmatic (ACEN, NLNAC, CCNE) and regional accreditation*
  • A current unencumbered RN license; APRN license if appropriate**
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Check state authorization

Note: One year of RN clinical experience is required by the start of NP clinical courses (typically in Year 2 of the program).

These admissions requirements represent the minimum eligibility requirements for programs. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates as needed for a more in-depth review of qualifications.

Transfer Credits: All graduate programs will allow 9 total transfer credits (must be a 3.0 or higher).

* Students who graduated from a non-programmatically accredited institution and meet all other admission requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Admission is not guaranteed.

** Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.

Quality Education Within Reach

Wilkes University prides itself on providing quality education to all who are willing, regardless of their socioeconomic, ethnic or religious background. You’ll find our competitively priced tuition and caliber of faculty hard to beat — save $10k by enrolling in our RN to MSN program as compared to first getting your bachelor's and then your master's in nursing. Your return on investment is looking good!

Traditional Route
Wilkes University Online
Traditional Route

RN to Bachelor's
in Nursing


Average

Total program cost
$13,720

Time to complete
14 months

+

Traditional Route

MSN-
FNP


Average

Total program cost
$35,800

Time to complete
30 months

Total cost: $49,100

Total time to complete: 44 months

vs

Wilkes University Online

RN to MSN-FNP
Program


 

Total program cost
$39,312

Time to complete
36 months

Save $10K on tuition

Graduate almost 7 months sooner

Source: Proprietary research
Note: A pass-through bachelor's degree is not granted as part of the RN-MSN program.

Clinical Placement And Support

Our Clinical Placement Team provides proactive support and assistance. Securing a clinical site takes a lot of work; there’s no way around it, except at Wilkes. And there’s more:

  • You’ll also have a dedicated student success counselor to help you from enrollment through to graduation.
  • These resources are offered at no additional charge and are built into the program.
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* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

More About Clinical Placement Support

The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future practice.

How Does the Clinical Placement Process Work?

The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of the clinical placement process.

What Value Will the Placement Team Provide?

The Placement Team will help you identify and potentially secure quality placement sites. This process allows you to focus on the online coursework and the core competencies that will direct your placement experience. As an active participant in the placement process, providing referrals from your community increases your chances of securing quality sites and preceptors.

When Will I Receive My Placement Details?

You will receive a notification from your dedicated Placement Coordinator prior to each clinical start date. Once the placement has been confirmed and communicated, you are encouraged to begin working with your preceptor directly to establish a schedule for the semester.

How Should I Prepare for Clinicals?

You are not alone in preparing for clinicals! Your Placement Coordinator will be with you through the entire process by answering your questions, providing a clinical orientation, verifying your clinical clearances and walking you through the clinical checklist. The checklist details the dress code, clinical tools and professional expectations to ensure your success throughout each rotation.

Curriculum Sample

To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.

This course is designed to facilitate the transition of RN students from other educational routes to baccalaureate education and professional nursing practice. The course focuses in particular on the integration of knowledge, skills and attitudes in the development of the professional nursing role to enhance quality outcomes for individuals, families and populations across all healthcare settings and in complex healthcare environments. Students will begin advancing their knowledge on the transformational concepts related to a master’s education in nursing. (Credits: 7)

This course prepares the RN to MSN student for professional role development in emerging healthcare delivery systems. Students will be required to synthesize knowledge from previous nursing and supportive courses to manage care in an area of clinical practice consistent with career goals. Students will continue advancing their knowledge of the transformational concepts related to a master’s education in nursing. (Prerequisite: NSG-410; Clinical hours: 45; Credits: 3)

Offered in Spring 2021, accompanied with NSG 411 (Credits: 1).

Get More Program Details

  •   Applications are currently being accepted for next intake

Read More About Wilkes RN to MSN

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Top 8 Benefits of an RN to MSN Online Program

Top 8 Benefits of an RN to MSN Online Program

For nurses who currently have an associate degree and would like to become an NP, an Associate Degree in Nursing to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) program offers many benefits. Read More

Is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Right for You?

If getting an MSN degree meant an increase in professional autonomy, income and career mobility, would you be interested? Read More

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Elizabeth Swinny

“To get something out of your education, you have to put something in,”  says Elizabeth Swinny, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CCRN. A 2020 Wilkes grad, Swinny advises DNP students to be resilient and flexible to reach their goals. “Perseverance and resilience are mandatory.”

Elizabeth Swinny, DNP Graduate

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Craig Patton

What really drew me to Wilkes was the fact that they had a dedicated clinical placement team. It was a game-changer. Having to find my own preceptor and clinical placement site was an immense stressor, so knowing they would take care of that was one of the biggest perks that attracted me to Wilkes.

Craig Patton, Master of Science in Nursing

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Trenise Griffith

Something that I loved about this program is the attention that I got from my advisors early on, before even being accepted to the program. I was able to talk with my advisor over the phone and ask all of the questions that I had at the time to decide whether or not to move forward with the program. I had looked at a lot of schools, but this one fit what I needed.

Trenise Griffith, APRN Certificate

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Rebecca Cavill

Obtaining a Ph.D. in Nursing online allowed me to work full-time while accomplishing my career and educational goals. The Wilkes faculty provided a caring learning environment and promoted academic excellence.

Rebecca Cavill, PHD, CRNP

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Sonya Carothers

Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing Ph.D. program was designed for the working person. Because of the design, I felt my dream of obtaining the Ph.D. was indeed possible.

Sonya Carothers, Family Nurse Practitioner; PhD

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Deborah A. Zbegner

It is a collaborative partnership, between you and us, to get the best for you. Our responsibility is to educate you so that you are safe, effective, and able to care for those people you encounter.

Deborah Zbegner, Dean, Passan School of Nursing

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Regina Prosser smiling, dark background

Wilkes University PhD in Nursing online program afforded me the opportunity to advance my professional education and career goals while working full-time.

Regina Prosser, PhD in Nursing

RN to MSN Program Outcomes

Becoming a nurse practitioner is a smart move for career advancement. Nurses are in demand in hospital settings and a variety of other practice areas, and the need will only increase as our country's population ages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected job growth for NPs is expected to increase 52% by 2029, and the average NP salary is $111,680.

The Master of Science in Nursing program at Wilkes University prepares students to:

  1. Engage in lifelong learning in a constantly evolving and multicultural world.
  2. Demonstrate competence in the development of scientific inquiry relevant to clinical practice, administration, or education.
  3. Utilize leadership strategies that foster improvement of patient and population health.
  4. Advance nursing practice by translating evidence in a variety of roles and areas of practice.
  5. Improve healthcare outcomes through interprofessional collaboration.
  6. Participate in lifelong learning as a part of advancing nursing practice.

What Will You Learn in the RN to MSN Program?

Wilkes academic programs are helping to fulfill the great demand for nurse practitioners in the U.S. Our MSN program curriculum develops you in the following areas so that you can:

  • Prepare for advanced practice from clinical, theoretical and professional standpoints.
  • Develop your capabilities in research and reasoning, diagnosis and critical thinking.
  • Gain substantial insight into major healthcare systems and policies.
  • Deliver informed care with respect to patient populations and cultural perspectives.

Focus Your Practice

Our three MSN concentrations give you the opportunity to align your advanced degree with your career goals in the nursing field. Choose the track you’re most passionate about and explore curriculum, tuition, admission requirements and more.

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Nurse

Family Nurse Practitioner

The online courses in our Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track will teach you to analyze evidence-based practice to facilitate patient care for the health promotion, protection and disease prevention for patients of all ages in a variety of settings.

Learn More

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Nurse with patient

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Our Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track promotes quality outcomes to facilitate patient care for the health promotion, protection and disease prevention for adolescents, adults and older adults in a variety of settings.

Learn More

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Nurse

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Our Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track prepares you to complete comprehensive mental health assessments and perform individual, family and group psychotherapy. You will develop competence in prescribing and monitoring medications used in the treatment of mental health disorders and substance abuse across the lifespan.

Learn More

FAQs

Admissions

How does the nursing clinical placement process work?

We do the heavy lifting for you. For more information on the nursing clinical placement process, visit our Clinical Placement Services page, access your free program guide , or email us at admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu. You can also call us directly at  888-413-5633 or schedule a time to speak with us

Are the GRE or GMAT required to enter the online nursing programs?

No, there are no GRE or GMAT requirements to enroll. 

Are Wilkes/the online nursing programs accredited?

Yes, they're accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*.

*The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master’s degree in nursing/doctor of nursing practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

How long does the RN to MSN program take to complete?

Note: The length of time listed is based on the total amount of required courses for each program. An analysis of previous coursework may shorten total length of time to complete.
Course length is 15 weeks, and each program varies. 

Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner program:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration: 19 courses / 9 terms / 3 years
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) concentration: 17 courses / 8 terms / 2.6 years
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration: 18 courses / 9 terms / 3 years
Where can I find information on applying to Wilkes University's online nursing programs?

Information can be found on our Get Started page, and by completing the form at the top of the page. Or, you can contact an admissions counselor by emailing us at admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu, calling us at  888-413-5633 , or scheduling a time to chat. .

Financial Aid

Is financial aid available to online nursing students?

Yes, financial aid is available to qualifying nursing students. Please fill out a form or schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor to learn if you qualify for financial assistance. You can also give us a call at  888-413-5633 . We're happy to help! 

Tuition

How much does the RN to MSN program cost?

Note: Tuition listed is based on the number of required courses for each program. An analysis of previous coursework may allow for fewer courses and a lower net cost, when applicable.
Each program is different but highly competitive. A review of official transcripts will determine a student’s course of study.

Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner program

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration: $44,010 (Maximum amount and includes fees)
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) concentration: $41,565 (Maximum amount and includes fees)
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration: $43,195 (Maximum amount and includes fees)

Other

Are the classes 100% online?

Excluding nursing clinicals, all coursework is 100% online. Each course experience is primarily asynchronous. 

Are Wilkes’ online nursing programs accredited?

Yes. They’re accredited by the CCNE*. 

*The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master’s degree in nursing/doctor of nursing practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

More About Wilkes

At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.

Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.

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Reach Out to an Admissions Counselor

We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Call us or click the link below to start the conversation. We can’t wait! 

888-413-5633
Get Started

Out-of-State Students

Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.

Primary State of Residence (PSOR)

Your PSOR is the state in which you declare as your primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your PSOR may include driver's license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence.

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