What Are The Best Graduate Nursing Programs In The United States
If youve decided to broaden your knowledge and boost your earning potential with a Masters in Nursing, youre probably wondering how much youll have to spend. Luckily, weve made your job a whole lot easier by putting together this list of MSN programs sorted by cost.
Weve separated the programs into three easy-to-follow categories:
- Affordable
- Average
- Top-Tier
When you decide on a masters program, the school will take a look through your undergraduate courses and determine how many credits youll need to earn your degree. To keep things simple, weve sorted the schools by cost per credit hour. Most MSN programs typically require between 35 and 50 additional credits on top of what youve already earned in your undergraduate program.
And remember: Although some of these programs may seem expensive at first glance, your masters degree is an investment that will serve you for the rest of your life.
The University Of Cincinnati
Cost: $724 for in-state residents, $739 for out-of-state residents
The University of Cincinnati is the perfect choice for nurses who are looking to focus on a specialty while they earn their MSN. Youll be able to choose from many different options, including:
- Neonatal
After earning your masters, you can even choose to transfer your credits towards a PhD as well! Learn more about the MSN program at The University of Cincinnati here.
What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Bsn Degree
There are many benefits to getting your BSN. As mentioned, being a Registered Nurse with a BSN has two visible advantages to being a non-BSN RN:
- Higher pay.
- Expanded job opportunities
But there are many others too.
- Preparedness as a higher education graduate, you are ready to deal with patients more effectively in many areas. This has a positive impact on patients, too. Studies show that each 10% increase in BSN nurses leads to a 7% decline in mortality after common surgery. Also, thanks to their expertise, patient hospital stays are also 2% shorter, with 19% less chance of readmission.
- Leadership roles a BSN degree opens doors to leadership roles, including nurse unit managing positions.
- Specialty nursing getting your BSN degree often leads to more specialized nursing work.
- A path to progression to stand a better chance of securing an Advanced Practice Nurse job, with a salary closing in on six figures, you need to get a BSN.
- Its becoming a requirement. Because of the improved results in outcomes for BSN nurses, New York passed a law in 2017 that requires all licensed nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree within ten years of initial licensure.
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How To Pay For Nursing School
When considering how to pay for nursing school, you can look at personal loans, government loans, or parent loans. A lot of students wont have the option of a parental loan, so government or personal loans are their only options.
When taking loans out, wed recommend to get as many subsidized loans as possible. And, pay back any debts as soon as you can! Interest on student loans can build up very quickly and its definitely worth tackling in the short-term!
We have a guide on how to start paying back your student loans, along with some tips to help nurses start paying down their debt.
Converting From Rn To Bsn
Without a BSN or higher, career advancements can be more difficult for an RN.
But do you need to spend four years full-time in university to get your BSN? The answer is no. It can be lot faster.
If you already have a bachelors degree in another field, you can earn your BSN degree in what is called an accelerated BSN program, or second degree BSN program, in 12 – 18 months.
If youre already an RN through a diploma or associate degree, you can earn your RN to BSN degree online in as little as 12 months sometimes less while still working full-time.
Online flexibility means that you can keep your paycheck, knowing that you’ll open doors to a higher salary, better knowledge, and more specialized nursing positions in only a year.
But what does it cost? Some colleges allow RNs to transfer credits from previous college coursework in their RN-BSN programs, which can help reduce cost. For the majority of students, this equates to a cost reduction of over $7000. The ability to reduce costs, plus the flexible online format makes RN-BSN online very inexpensive.
Regardless of which pathway you choose, there is financial support available including scholarships to apply for.
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Lost Wages Versus Working During School
While some school programs, especially transition or bridge programs, may offer the flexibility of accommodating the working student, many schools maintain a traditional curriculum. Students must consider how much money will be lost while attending school instead of working his or her current job versus how much will be earned upon graduation and how to pay those pesky bills during school. If the student has a family to support this may be even more complicated.
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Each financial situation is different, but cornerstones of balancing work and school include:
- Saving money before starting school to allow for working less hours or not at all to keep up with the demands of nursing school
- Creating and being diligent about maintaining a budget
- Changing work schedules, if possible, and allowing for more study time
- Keeping school, work, and home within the same vicinity to decrease travel times
- Finding a job where the student can study while working
- Applying for bank loans to help pay bills or deferring bills, if possible
How To Pay For Nursing School Tuition
Nursing school can be very expensive, but heres the good news: There are ways to reduce or even cover the cost of nursing school. Here are some ways you can pay for it:
You might want to read our article on nursing school financial aid and scholarships for more information on how to pay for nursing school.
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How Much Does A Bsn Nurse Make An Hour
However, as BSN nurses gain experience and move up the ranks in position, there may be a significant difference in hourly pay. While the average hourly wage for ADN nurses begins at about $35.63, and BSN nurses are around $38.62, BSN nurses can see increases in hourly pay rates faster than those with an associate degree.
How Much Is Online Vs On
Among the many things that impact nursing school costs is the format of the studies: is it an on-campus program offered by a traditional, brick-and-mortar institution, or an online program? The prices of online vs on-campus nursing schools will vary considerably.
With online programs students rely on digital tools to learn and complete coursework. The lectures are online, class participation happens through chat boards, email, etc. and assignments are also completed and turned in using online tools. Nursing is such a hands-on profession however so even for online programs there is an offline component. Learners need to attend their clinical rotations and supervised field experiences on-site.
Still, online programs generally cost less than traditional ones. Thats partly because learners enrolled in online programs save a lot of money on other expenses, such as boarding, transportation, childcare, and others.
While an online RN-to-BSN program can cost in the range of $20,000 to $80,000, for an on-campus program you may have to pay out-of-pocket $32,000 to $100,000, or more for school-related expenses.
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Public Vs Private Nursing School Programs
Although not a hard and fast rule, private colleges generally cost more than public colleges. Public higher education institutions receive taxpayer funds from the state government, which means that students do not need to pay as much in tuition.
Depending on the type of program, degree seekers can usually expect to pay $500 per credit or under at public universities graduate students might pay more. Private universities might charge nursing students up to $1500 or even $2000 per credit.
Higher cost does not necessarily correlate to a higher-quality education. Many public school programs offer top-ranked nursing programs. Although private universities generally demand higher costs, students might choose these programs if they obtain scholarships, or if they determine that the education and networking opportunities will be worth it in the long run.
English Language Proficiency *
The language of instruction at the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing is English. A high level understanding and functionality in English is essential for safe client care in health professions in Saskatchewan.
For students to understand, communicate and be successful in programs at the university, an acceptable level of academic English is required. You may be asked to provide proof of English proficiency.
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Complete An Externship For Additional Clinical Experience
Through collaborations with hospital systems throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, our undergraduate nursing students can participate in an intensive, paid, summer externship while in nursing school. This opportunity offers first-hand learning in a clinical setting with a potential future employer and it pays really well.
How Much Does An Associates Degree Nurse Make
Associate degree nurses have a salary range from $49,810 at the beginning of their careers to over $106,000 with twenty or more years of experience. BSN nurses typically begin their careers with an annual salary of about $53,000 and may make over $115,000 annually with twenty plus years’ experience. Occupation.
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Where You Attend Nursing School Impacts Your Debt
Regardless of the program, private schools all charge more than public colleges. Community college programs can be hard to get into, and you may end up waiting around.
This is when private colleges can be more appealing for students. Generally, these for-profit schools have more seats and flexible schedules to fast track you into nursing. But it comes at a cost.
In-state tuition and out-of-state tuition can also make a difference in the amount of student debt youll take on.
For example, the in-state tuition for the BSN program at the University of Washington is $3,915 quarterly. Out-of-state students can expect tuition at $13,038, which is more than triple the cost for a non-resident to complete the same degree.
Youre better off financially choosing in-state tuition for your nursing degree.
Nursing Loan Forgiveness By State
Its common for states to offer forgiveness programs for healthcare professionals, including nursing.
The student loan forgiveness programs by state typically coincide with a Health Professional Shortage Area . Each state has different regulations and rules for forgiveness. The state higher education board or state department of health will list the forgiveness programs offered for nurses.
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What Is A Cns In Nursing
Clinical nurse specialists hold at least a master’s degree in nursing with a CNS track in one of several medical specialties, such as oncology, geriatrics, cardiology, etc. Due to their higher level of education and scope of practice, clinical nurse specialists earn more than RNs and many other types of nurses.
Industry Experience Before You Graduate
Each specialty course includes clinical experiences. As a WSSU nursing student, you’ll have easy access to major health-care systems minutes from campus in Winston-Salem, including a renowned medical school right downtown in the Innovation Quarter. Benefit from high-impact client care rotations while creating industry connections through one of the best schools for nursing in North Carolina.
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What You Will Learn
In USask’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you will learn all aspects of health and well-being across a persons life span as you study nursing, health and the health-care system through the creation and integration of knowledge from research, education and practice. The nurse of the twenty-first century uses advanced technology to provide nursing care to individuals, families, groups and communities.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
- Tuition: $327 per credit hour
- 31 credits
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin offers a CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program, which prepares practicing nurses for decision-making and leadership roles. The program is based on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and multicultural patient care. Students will learn about various advanced nursing topics such as clinical leadership, transcultural nursing, issues and theories in professional nursing, and more.
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How Many Days Per Week Is A Bcit Nursing Student In The Hospital
Students are in a practice course up to 2 days per week, until the final term of the program. In the final term of the program, students are in the hospital or community up to five full days per week.
Clinical days are scheduled on a changing rotation with shifts varying from five to twelve hours in length. Shifts can include weekends and holidays.
East Tennessee State University
- Tuition: $483 per credit hour
- : 120 credits
East Tennessee State Universitys CCNE-accredited RN-BSN program is designed for registered nurses with hospital certificates or associate degrees. The coursework covers professional nursing practice, health assessment, public health, health promotion, and informatics. It also provides training for nursing leadership and management.
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Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs
Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, Americas healthcare sector has been in the spotlight. Additionally, this emphasis has drawn attention to the nurse shortage, which began in 2012 and is predicted to endure until 2030.
Numerous reasons contribute to the shortage, including increased demand for healthcare across the country. As the largest group in Americathe baby boomersages, the healthcare system will face unprecedented demand, with over a million more nurses required by 2030.
As a result, nursing is becoming an attractive profession for many high school graduates. On top of that, online nursing schools are rapidly improving, which makes them a viable, economical option for those taking the path to become a nurse.
Below are the best online nursing programs in the country:
The Cost Of Attending Nursing Schools
While attending nursing school is undoubtedly an investment in ones future that will more than pay for itself, financing education to become a nurse may be challenging.
The cost of nursing school varies widely, ranging from a few thousand dollars for an associates degree to upwards of $80,000 or even $100,000 for a bachelors or masters degree program. Tuition fees vary significantly depending on the type of institution for example, whether one attends a private school or a community collegeand the type of program.
Tuition is calculated on a credit basis, and ADN programs generally need 60 credits of instruction. Additionally, per credit rates depend on a number of factors. For instance, in-state students are often subsidized, which means they pay lower fees than out-of-state students.
Nursing applicants must also pay for lab and technology fees, scrubs, insurance, and vaccines in addition to tuition. Students taking traditional, in-person programs also need to pay for room and board.
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How Much Does The Most Affordable Online Rn To Bsn Cost
Registered nurses looking to go back to school to get their bachelors degree often wonder about the most affordable online RN to BSN programs. An online RN to BSN program provides working students with a flexible option to completing their bachelors degree. Many programs enable students to finish their degree in as few as three semesters. The online programs are often delivered asynchronously, meaning that students do not have to log in at a specific time to complete coursework. The programs help current nurses expand their professional knowledge in the nursing field. Courses commonly include health assessment, collaborative healthcare, community health nursing, nursing research, nursing informatics, and nursing ethics. Most programs also require liberal arts courses, such as economics, history, statistics, psychology, algebra, and English composition. Admission requirements vary, but students typically must be current registered nurses with valid RN licensure. Students are usually awarded proficiency credits from their previous nursing program. Online RN to BSN programs provide a variety of benefits such as improving nursing and critical thinking skills and advancing nursing careers. Graduates of these programs are also prepared to take on management and leadership roles in the nursing field as well as specialty positions. Registered nurses are also prepared to pursue graduate nursing programs.
What Is A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or BSN, is a four-year bachelors degree done at a university or college. A BSN degree offers a much broader education than the 2-year associate degree in nursing and opens a whole new set of possibilities for a nursing career. The benefits include a higher salary, better job offerings, and an advancement in the job market.
Lately, its becoming increasingly more common for healthcare facilities to require BSN degrees for the RNs that they hire. While an associate degree will cover the education and training you need to pass your NCLEX exam and work as an RN, a BSN dives deeper by building on the concepts from the associate degree and taking your skills and education to the next level.
For those who are diploma or associate degree RNs, there are different variations of BSN degree programs for those nurses to reach the next level. These programs – called an RN-to-BSN program, allow RNs without a bachelors degree to continue their education and earn the rest of the credits required for the bachelors degree. Well explore this pathway more in depth later.
The longer study length for a BSN allows nurses to participate in more advanced procedures under a doctors supervision, and manage other nurses.
While there are many pathways to a career in nursing, if you don’t have an RN license yet, jumping straight into a BSN will give you a great head start in your nursing career.
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