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Online RN to MSN Programs in Massachusetts
Online RN to MSN programs in Massachusetts are primarily devoted to NP specialties, especially the FNP. Because admissions requirements can vary, we recommend you examine the profiles in our school listings to see if the degree will suit your needs. While you’re putting together a shortlist, here are a few extra points to consider:
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: MCPHS participates in SARA, but online program availability varies by state. If you’re applying from outside of Massachusetts, talk to the program coordinator to make sure you can apply. We also want to point out that this part-time program includes 4 mandatory on-campus residencies (1-3 days in length)—a new student orientation, an MSN orientation, a third residency, and a final residency that coincides with graduation.
- Regis College: Regis participates in SARA, but there are some limitations. For example, the online MSN is offered in all U.S. territories and states except Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. The master’s portion of the program is 100% online, with no residency requirements, but we recommend you ask the program coordinator if campus visits are required for the undergraduate portion.
Keep in mind, too, that some of the programs in our school listings are hybrid in nature. For example, although Elms College’s RN-MSN and RN-BSN-MSN programs contain some on-campus components, the MSN was designed to be delivered online. What’s more, Worcester State University’s blended MS combines online and face-to-face instruction. If you can bear the commute, you will have options.
Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Massachusetts
This ranking of the most affordable Massachusetts RN to MSN programs is based on per graduate tuition rates. That’s why Worcester State University tops the list—it’s one of the rare MA public schools that’s willing to offer an RN to MSN program. But please take the remaining rankings as a ballpark. You’ll notice that each program in our school listings has a different number of credits and different transfer policies.
- Worcester State University: View Tuition Rates
- Elms College: View Tuition Rates
- Regis College: View Tuition Rates
Feeling a little intimidated by tuition numbers for private universities? We’ve done our best to highlight alternative funding opportunities (e.g. partner discounts, scholarships, etc.) in the school profiles. And don’t take anything off the table until you’ve talk to your current employer about tuition reimbursement possibilities.
Massachusetts’s Healthcare Landscape
Ask ten Massachusetts APRNs what they think of the state’s healthcare landscape and you’re bound to get ten different opinions. On the one hand, Massachusetts is known for its achievements:
- The Boston metropolitan area is full of top-notch medical institutions and research facilities, many of which have been developing outreach posts in suburbs.
- The effects of the state’s 2006 health reform initiative, which preceded the Affordable Care Act, have resulted in an extremely high percentage of insured residents (e.g. over 95%).
- Obesity rates are low, immunization coverage among children is high, and the state gets good grades in the Rural Health Report Card.
On the other hand, it’s far from perfect. The opioid epidemic has hit the state hard, and healthcare providers are struggling to combat the leap in drug overdose deaths. Another major challenge is mental health. In the BCMS National Health Index, depression is frequently listed as the top health condition of concern for Massachusetts, particularly in rural areas.
Barriers to access and a dearth of behavioral health providers have contributed to the crisis. According to the results of a 2018 Massachusetts Health Reform Survey, more than a 1/3 of patients seeking mental health or substance use disorder services went without the needed care.
Massachusetts Nursing Challenges & Opportunities
Meanwhile, the MNA has been working on a number of legislative issues, including a fight against the closure of hospitals & units that provide essential services and a push for greater transparency in hospital profits, operating margins & CEO salaries. Overworked Massachusetts nurses also want the state to lower current patient to nurse ratios and provide answers to their concerns about unsafe staffing conditions.
The first issue (i.e. consolidation) has created a knock-on problem—there are fewer and fewer clinical settings where Massachusetts nurses can gain solid experience during their degree. This has been a particular issue in Western Massachusetts, where many settings are at their capacity. Some MA programs are turning away nursing candidates because they don’t have enough places to train them.
But there’s always hope. For example, to help opioid users, Massachusetts hospitals have been adding bridge clinics, addiction consult services, and outpatient substance use services. This may lead to an increased demand for PMHNPs. Before you decide on a program, talk to your mentors about where you’ll most be needed.
Jobs for Massachusetts RN to MSN Graduates
Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates
Generally speaking, you’re looking at a great career set-up. Massachusetts is known as the “Ed & Med State,” which means it’s full of opportunities for nurses with advanced training. In addition to medical center openings, there are plenty of primary care positions.
- On the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’s pages for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary, you’ll see that the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH metropolitan area has some of the highest employment levels of these two categories in the country. Even Worcester and Springfield are able to sustain a large number of NPs.
- Having said that, landing a job isn’t always easy. Massachusetts is full of well-trained, well-educated, and highly experienced nurses, which means hospitals often have their pick of candidates. If you’re planning on attending a lesser known School of Nursing, you may have to work that much harder to distinguish yourself. It pays to ask the MSN program coordinator some hard questions about career assistance.
Wondering where the best places to work are? You may wish to consult U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the Best Hospitals in Massachusetts and the ANCC’s list of Magnet Facilities in Massachusetts. You’ll notice a number of familiar Boston area names here (e.g. Mass General, Brigham & Women’s, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, etc.), but don’t discount the secondary cities. The Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester are far from shabby.
Career Resources for Future APRNs
Massachusetts Nursing Job Boards
- MNA Liquid Compass: Job listings for Massachusetts nurses, including APRNs
- MCNP Career Center: Job listings for Massachusetts NPs
- ONL Career Center: Job listings for New England nurse leaders & executives
Massachusetts APRN Salary & Wage Data
- Annual Mean Wages for Massachusetts Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
- Annual Mean Wages for Massachusetts Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
- AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members
Massachusetts Nursing Organizations
State Board of Nursing
MA Nursing Associations & Coalitions
- Massachusetts Action Coalition (MAAC)
- Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN)
- Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (MCNP)
- Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA)
- Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA)
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): Massachusetts Chapters
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): Massachusetts Chapters
MA Nursing Specialty Organizations
- American College of Nurse-Midwives – Massachusetts Affiliate (Massachusetts ACNM)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association – New England Chapter (APNA New England)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Massachusetts (AWHONN – Massachusetts)
- Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
- Massachusetts Association of Occupational Health Nurses (MAOHN)
- Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses (MAPHN)
- Massachusetts Emergency Nurses Association (MENA)
- Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO)
- Massachusetts Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (MASPAN)
- Massachusetts Student Nurses Association (MSNA)
- Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL); formerly MONE
Massachusetts RN to MSN School Listings
6 Schools FoundBoston College
William F. Connell School of Nursing
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Nursing School Overview
Boston College is a well-known and well-respected private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill. The Connell School of Nursing (CSON) often achieves a top 30 spot in U.S. News & World Report's rankings of Best Nursing Schools and competition for spots in its nursing programs is fierce. There are 11 American Academy of Nursing Fellows in the CSON and over 60% of its full-time faculty are actively working in nursing practice. First time pass rates for APN exams can be as much as 100%. In addition, BC has ties to a large number of clinical partners in the Boston area (85+), including Boston Children's, Brigham & Women's, Mass General, and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Independent reviewers say the graduate nursing programs are intense, challenging, and taught by top-notch professors. One alumni said she/he was able to gain valuable experience in highly ranked hospitals. Another said networking after graduation was a big plus. Quality comes with a price - BC has some of the highest tuition rates in our MA listings. However, there are a few CSON-sponsored graduate scholarships that may be able to help offset costs.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This on-campus program results in a generalist MS that may suit aspiring nurse leaders. The RN to MS pathway is open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program, an undergraduate GPA of B or better, a current RN license, and certain undergraduate prerequisites. All applicants must have ~112 undergraduate course credits: 42 in General Education and 70 in specialty knowledge related to nursing. Course requirements can be met through direct transfer, portfolio review, or course enrollment. Individual course substitutions may be allowed on an individual basis. Your application should also include 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a goal statement. Once accepted, you'll take 4 undergraduate courses (11 credits), which include clinical labs. At least one course may be waived for experienced RNs. The MS portion of the program is 36 credits and can be completed in as little as 18 months on a full-time basis.
Elms College
School of Nursing
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Nursing School Overview
Elms College is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Chicopee, near Springfield. The School of Nursing is on a small campus, which means you'll get to know most professors well. Undergraduate pass rates for the NCLEX are strong (e.g. 100%) and the Lyons Center for Natural and Health Sciences provides access to nursing skills and simulation labs. Elms also runs a mobile nursing clinic called caRe vaN, which provides healthcare services to vulnerable populations in the local community. Independent ratings of nursing professors are mostly positive (with a few notable exceptions) and nurses on discussion boards say the School of Nursing is well-respected in the community. Per graduate tuition rates are also notably lower than some of the other big private schools.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Elms offers two hybrid pathways to the master's degree. The RN-BSN-MSN is intended for nurses who want to have both degrees on their resume. The RN-MSN is for RNs with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree who wish to earn the MSN. Candidates for the RN-BSN-MSN must have graduated from an accredited school of nursing, be eligible for licensure as an RN in Massachusetts (proof of licensure is required by the end of the second semester), and have certain undergraduate prerequisites. 1 letter of recommendation, a writing sample, and a resume must be included in the application. Candidates for the RN-MSN must have an associate degree or diploma in nursing, a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing, and be eligible for licensure as an RN in Massachusetts (proof of licensure is required within the first semester). 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a writing sample must also be provided and all candidates must take part in an interview. The RN-BSN-MSN is accelerated - the undergraduate portion is 4 semesters and you'll take 2 bridge courses that can be counted toward the MSN. The length of the MSN will depend on your choice of concentration. On contrast, the RN-MSN only includes 4 bridge courses for the undergraduate portion (13 credits), and one of these is at the graduate level. RN-MSN students can complete the entire program ins ~28 months. You'll be able to take parts of the coursework online, but both the RN-BSN-MSN and RN-MSN require some on-campus, classroom components.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
School of Nursing
Boston, Massachusetts
RN to MSN Bridge Program - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
MCPHS is a private university focused on medical programs. It has multiple campuses, including ones in the Longwood area and Manchester, NH. However, as far as we can determine, the School of Nursing runs the FNP program from the Worcester campus. Independent opinions of nursing at MCPHS vary widely, but the online programs and nursing professors tend to be well-reviewed and highly rated. Folks who are studying through distance learning say schedules are flexible and programs are geared toward working professionals. Tuition rates are high, so you may wish to look into tuition reimbursement from work or outside scholarships. If you'd like more opinions about MCPHS, we recommend you contact recent alumni of the FNP program. Because MCPHS has multiple campuses, some external reviews may be referring to undergraduate degrees at the university's Boston or Manchester locations.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
MCPHS's online bridge program is aimed at RNs with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited college or university who would like to become FNPs. In addition to the ADN, candidates must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA, RN licensure in the state in which they intend to perform clinical hours, and various undergraduate prerequisites with a grade of C or better for transfer. The application must also include 1 letter of professional recommendation and a resume. The entire ADN to MSN can be completed in 3 years (i.e. 62 credits, with two courses per semester). The bridge portion (20 credits) can be finished in 3 semesters. The MSN portion (42 credits) will take 6 semesters, including clinical hours. Most of the coursework is online, but students are expected to attend 4 residencies (1-3 days in length) on campus. The program can be started in fall, spring, or summer. No BSN is awarded in this set-up.
Regis College
School of Nursing
Weston, Massachusetts
Online RN to MSN
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Regis is a private Roman Catholic university in Weston with a solid reputation. The School of Nursing has been an NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education since 2008 and it has strong ties to area hospitals. For example, students have achieved clinical placements in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Franciscan Hospital, and Rosie's Place. Pass rates for NP certification exams are very good and 6-month employment rates for MSN graduates exceed 84%. Some alumni have ended up working at the VNA Network, Cambridge Health Alliance, and Brigham & Women's. In addition, Regis offers a tuition discount on online programs to employees of partner organizations (and there are many). You'll find tons of independent reviews of Regis nursing on the web, including a mixed bag of nursing professor ratings. NP students tend to say the online programs involve a lot of rigorous coursework, with weekly real-time discussions and teaching by experienced faculty.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Regis has developed two online programs. The RN to BSN to MSN track allows RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing to earn a BSN and an MSN. The RN to MSN Bridge Program is designed for RNs with an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor's degree. All candidates, regardless of the pathway, must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a history of an unencumbered RN license. Candidates for the RN to BSN to MSN will need to provide a statement of purpose, resume, 1 letter of recommendation, and evidence of various undergraduate prerequisites. An interview may be required. Candidates for the RN to MSN must provide a personal statement, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation. An interview is required, but GRE scores are not. Once all undergraduate prerequisites have been met, RN to BSN to MSN students take a variety of 300-600 level credits and then proceed to the NP specialty courses. Students in the RN to MSN take 4 bridge courses (15 credits) and then proceed to the MSN core and NP specialty courses. Each program page lays out the curriculum. According to Regis, associate-level students can complete any NP concentration in as few as 3 years. Regis promises that there are no campus residency requirements for the online MSN, but we recommend you ask the program coordinator if you need to travel to campus for undergraduate courses.
Simmons University
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Boston, Massachusetts
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Simmons is a private university located in the heart of Boston, right near the Longwood Medical Area and its network of world-class hospitals. The undergraduate arm is known for catering to women, but the graduate school is co-educational. The School of Nursing does not guarantee clinical placement, but it does provide a high level of support services, including assigning each student a Clinical Placement Specialist. Pass rates for the FNP certification exam are outstanding, an achievement that may account for the pricey tuition rates. However, Nursing@Simmons does offer several scholarships - including the Simmons Future Leader Scholarship and the Dean's Scholarship - and an interest-free payment plan. We found heaps of independent reviews of the online nursing program on the web, so you may want to spend a few minutes browsing through the discussions. Since some of the comments about Simmons's technology platform and delivery are a little dated, we also suggest you contact recent alumni for their opinions.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing are eligible to apply for this online RN to MSN program. A bachelor's degree or BSN are not required for entry. In addition to an ADN or diploma from a hospital-based program, all candidates must have a current unencumbered and unrestricted RN license. The application will also need to include 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The entire RN to MSN program is 68 credits, with a minimum of 836 clinical hours. Full-time students can complete the program in 30 months/8 terms; part-time students can finish it in 36 months/10 terms. For example, on a full-time schedule, you would use the first 4 terms to tackle undergraduate coursework at the 300-400 level and the final 4 terms to study for the MSN. Coursework is offered online, with live classes delivered by Simmons faculty on a weekly basis. However, students are required to visit the Boston campus for an immersion weekend prior to beginning clinical hours.
Worcester State University
Department of Nursing
Worcester, Massachusetts
Nursing School Overview
WSU is a public university in Worcester, which means tuition rates are eminently more reasonable here than at private schools. The Department of Nursing is not large, but it promises that nurse educators will be able to practice their teaching skills in its nursing simulation lab. Community & public health nursing students are also encouraged to take part in service-learning programs, research projects with faculty members, and internships. According to public records, NCLEX pass rates for WSU's Department of Nursing are usually very strong, but it's difficult to find independent reviews and discussions about the graduate programs. Chat to alumni and visit the campus before making any decisions.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
WSU has developed two hybrid pathways to its master's degree. The Fast Track is designed for RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who wish to earn a BS and MS in Nursing. The Bridge Program is for RNs with a BA or BS in a non-nursing discipline. All applicants must have an unencumbered license to practice as an RN in Massachusetts. Bridge students must also complete a self-evaluation assessment of prior learning, meet with a graduate program advisor, and compile a portfolio of their professional activities at the time of entry into the program. Any RN student applying to WSU as a transfer student can receive up to 72 credits from associate degree colleges and a maximum of 90 credits from four-year colleges or universities. Once Bridge students have met all the bachelor's competencies, they must take 3 bridge courses (7 credits). The remainder of the program is devoted to the master's. This is offered in a blended format (face-to-face and online) and it usually takes 3 years of part-time study or 2 years of full-time study to finish. In contrast, Fast Track students work toward achieving the BS by tackling foundational coursework and a capstone. (6 graduate-level credits in undergraduate senior year can count toward the master's degree.) The remainder of the program is concerned with the MS, including concentration courses and practicums. The Fast Track program can be completed in 9 part-time semesters.
