RN to MSN Programs in Washington

Online RN to MSN Programs in Washington

We found one private university that was willing to offer a dedicated online RN to MSN program in Washington State. The full profile of Gonzaga can be found in our school listings, but here are a few extra points to consider.

• Gonzaga University: Almost all of Gonzaga’s RN to MSN program is delivered in an asynchronous, 100% online format (no set log-in times). However, there is a mandatory 2-day, on-campus immersion included in the MSN practicum. It can also be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Anyone interested in the online program should check the State Authorization page to make sure they’re eligible to apply. The university cannot admit students from a number of states.

Do you live in Washington or Oregon? Bear in mind that the public options in our listings (e.g. UWT and WSU) are hybrid, with online coursework and video conferencing. WSU even offers its program at multiple campuses throughout the state.

Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Washington

To calculate this ranking of the most affordable Washington RN to MSN programs, we looked at per credit graduate tuition rates. But please use it only as a ballpark figure! You’ll need to factor in the total number of credits, any additional fees, and different undergraduate tuition rates for bridge coursework.

1. University of Washington-Tacoma: In-State (Out-of-State is much higher)—View Tuition Rates
2. Washington State University: In-State (Out-of-State is much higher)—View Tuition Rates
3. Gonzaga University: View Tuition Rates

Washington is not a cheap state—even resident graduate tuition rates at public universities can be expensive—so check out the scholarship links in our school listings. You may also be able to transfer credits on selected undergraduate courses.

Washington’s Healthcare Landscape

By most healthcare standards, Washington is thriving. According to America’s Health Rankings and the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), it’s got a great track record in measurable data points. Premature death and childhood poverty rates are low, physical activity is high, and new babies are relatively healthy (e.g. low rate of preterm births). The state has one of the lowest obesity rates for youth in the nation.

This is true in both cities and fields. The state usually receives solid grades in the U.S. Rural Health Report Card, especially for all-cause mortality, and the BCBS Health Index Map is a lovely shade of blue for almost all counties.

However, you may notice that rural patients in Washington often lack access to mental healthcare and “Major Depression” is frequently cited as the most impactful condition on the BCBS map.

The state is aware of the problem, which is why it passed a flurry of laws in 2019 to fix the mental healthcare system. To improve access, the legislation included provisions for UW to create a 150-bed hospital for psychiatric care and for the Department of Health to license new intensive behavioral health treatment facilities & respite centers in local communities.

In that same year, the state also passed bills that were intent on lowering the cost of healthcare for residents on Obamacare, increasing transparency in drug pricing, and creating a new long-term care system. You can’t fault them for sitting on their hands!

The ARNPs United of Washington State’s Washington State Legislative Summary and the WSNA’s section on Legislative Affairs have more details on issues that pertain to nurses. Aspiring nurse leaders and APRNs should find plenty of opportunities to help improve mental healthcare, expand telemedical services, and address Seattle’s homelessness crisis.

Jobs for Washington RN to MSN Graduates

Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monitors job & wage data for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary on an annual basis. We particularly like the employment maps on these pages, since they allow viewers to compare neighboring regions and states.

• As you might expect, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area is the main center of jobs for advanced nurses. Around 61% of the state’s NPs and 63% of its nursing instructors work in this area, earning some of the highest wages in the country. This is also where you’ll find UW, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle Children’s, and the UW Medical Center.
• Having said that, the cost of living in the Seattle area can be astronomical and traffic is a well-known nightmare (think bridges & bottlenecks). If you’re hoping to work in Pill Hill, which is home to the Virginia Mason Medical Center and the Swedish Medical Center, you may have to get creative with your housing.

But Seattle isn’t your only option. In U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the Best Hospitals in Washington State and the ANCC’s list of Magnet Facilities in Washington State, you’ll find plenty of good centers in smaller cities, including Providence Health & Services in Spokane, Everett, and Olympia, and PeaceHealth in Vancouver and Bellingham. In fact, Spokane is often one of the top-paying area for NPs in the country.

• Thinking about running your own practice? Washington NPs have full independent practice authority and are recognized as primary care providers.
• You may even want to apply for Washington Health Corps programs, which provide loan forgiveness and scholarships. These are open to professionals seeking employment in rural & underserved areas.

Career Resources for Future APRNs

Washington Nursing Job Boards

• PSNPA Career Center: Job listings for APRNs and NPs in Washington, Oregon, and California
• WSHA Hospital Jobs: Openings for healthcare professionals in Washington State hospitals
• NWone Career Center: Job listings for nurse leaders & executives in Northwest states

Washington APRN Salary & Wage Data

• Annual Mean Wages for Washington Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
• Annual Mean Wages for Washington Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
• AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members

Washington Nursing Organizations

ARNP Licensing

• Washington State Department of Health: Nursing Commission

Washington Nursing Associations & Coalitions

• ARNPs United of Washington State
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): Washington Chapter
• Puget Sound Nurse Practitioner Association (PSNPA)
• Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA)
• Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA)

Washington Nursing Specialty Organizations

• American College of Nurse-Midwives – Washington State Affiliate (ACNM WA)
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Washington Chapter (APNA Washington)
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Washington (AWHONN Washington)
• Northwest Organization of Nursing Executives (NWone)
• Northwest PeriAnesthesia Nurses’ Association (NPANA)
• Nursing Students of Washington State (NSWS)
• School Nurse Organization of Washington (SNOW)
• Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists (WANA)
• Washington State Association of Occupational Health Nurses (WSAOHN)
• Washington State Council of the Emergency Nurses Association (WA-ENA)