RN to BSN Online BS in Nursing Degree Program
Program Overview Why get a BSN online?
If you're a registered nurse ready to take on new challenges and roles in the nursing field, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) could be a great option for you. Designed with busy nurses in mind, the program offers an affordable and flexible pathway for earning your BSN online.
Skills you'll learn:
- Safe nursing practice and outcomes
- Evidence-based practice
- Strategies to promote population health
- Communication with teams
- Trends in healthcare policy & regulation
- Skills for lifelong learning
Courses & Curriculum Online BSN courses built for nurses, by nurses
Maybe you're a nurse looking to advance your career in leadership or clinical practice. Or maybe you enjoy working at the bedside, but want to better support your patients. In the RN to BSN online program at SNHU, you can gain the skills needed to implement evidence-based best practices and positively impact healthcare.
Plus, you'll get 45 credits for your unencumbered RN license and can transfer up to 45 more credits. By transferring in the maximum 90 credits, your BSN degree may already be 75% complete when you enroll at SNHU.
Online BSN degree courses
Throughout your degree courses, you'll develop critical nursing skills and competencies, including evidence-based care, health promotion, disease prevention and leveraging technology to enhance your clinical and professional development.
Courses may include:
Population Health and Cultural Competence
Course ID:
IHP 410
This course explores a population-based approach to understanding disease management, chronic care management, and health policy making. It explores how behavioral factors, social circumstances and environmental exposures affects a population and how to mitigate these factors using culturally relevant approaches to create a culture of wellness.
Global Health and Diversity
Course ID:
IHP 501
In this interprofessional course, learners will explore major global health challenges and their impact on healthcare delivery systems. Topics explored include determinants of health, multiple approaches to advance health, social justice principles, and strategies to advocate for social justice. Learners will gain knowledge to apply social justice and human rights principles to address global health and wellness.
Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice
Course ID:
NUR 301
In this course, students will expand their knowledge from prelicensure education and nursing experiences to better understand multiple aspects of professional nursing practice. This course will cover a variety of topics that encompass individual development within the nursing profession. Throughout the course, interprofessional communication and collaboration will be emphasized. Students will analyze elements of healthcare and their impact on nursing practice issues.
Clinical Judgment and Holistic Assessment in Nursing
Course ID:
NUR 302
In this course, students will incorporate assessment findings, cultural awareness, and the social determinants of health to develop a holistic plan of care for individuals across the lifespan. Students will build upon their own understanding of health literacy and current nursing knowledge to apply critical thinking skills to promote optimal health outcomes.
Strategies for Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Course ID:
NUR 409
In this course, students will explore a multitude of theories and strategies related to quality improvement measures in healthcare. Students will examine the issues, ethics, and liabilities that impact quality and safety. Students will have the opportunity to offer insights for improvement by identifying gaps and evaluating changes after implementation. Specific strategies will be provided to promote quality and safety in healthcare systems.
Understanding Research to Guide Nursing Practice
Course ID:
NUR 411
In this course, students will explore the components of a research study while analyzing its application to scholarship and clinical practice. Students will use scholarly inquiry to examine the research process and identify potential solutions to a professional practice issue. At the completion of this course, students will learn how to communicate research findings to guide evidence-based practice.
Leadership Practices for the Professional Nurse
Course ID:
NUR 431
In this course, students will broaden their understanding of cause and effect by examining strategies, trends, and current issues within healthcare systems. Through a lens of critical thinking and self-reflection, students will develop and refine skills in communication, leadership, and holistic practice. Students will connect theoretical approaches to leadership and team dynamics to enhance interprofessional collaboration.
Professional Identity and Advocacy in Nursing Practice
Course ID:
NUR 499
In this course, students will integrate the spirit of inquiry with professional identity to develop their personal nursing brand. This course will focus on lifelong learning strategies, self-reflection, and self-care skills to maximize professional growth opportunities and foster resilience. They will also develop the skills to professionally communicate and advocate for themselves while leading change in the field of healthcare.
Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Nursing curriculum.
The Commons: SNHU's gen ed program
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Courses may include:
Cultural Awareness and Online Learning
Course ID:
IDS 105
This course introduces students to the skills relevant to university learning, and the foundational knowledge and values of intercultural fluency needed to understand and effectively navigate the complexities of contemporary society. Students will examine the various factors that influence an individual's perception of justice and the impacts that cultural and social diversity have on collaboration and communication processes. Through the application of interpersonal communication strategies, students will also learn to navigate various interpersonal conflict situations.
Self, Society, and the Humanities
Course ID:
HUM 102
In this course, students explore the interaction between individuals and society as a framework for understanding cultural inquiry. Through the examination of the scientific, creative, cultural, and historical humanities, students develop a practice of reflexivity to describe conceptions of self, others, and systems and their interconnectedness.
Foundations of Written Communication
Course ID:
ENG 130
This course focuses on written communication and writing practice. Students will gain the critical reading and information literacy related skills vital to academic and workplace success. Students will explore methods to analyze, summarize, and evaluate written works to isolate key ideas and information. Students will examine how to adapt the writing process to a variety of writing situations and present their own perspectives in written form.
Mathematical Reasoning for Modern Problem-Solving
Course ID:
MAT 126
In this course, students learn about the use of mathematical reasoning and the practical application of quantitative techniques to inform their decision-making process. Students will develop the skills to critically examine elements of a problem they might face in their day-to-day personal and professional lives, solve for various outcomes using quantitative techniques, and make informed decisions.
Ethics in Global Society
Course ID:
PHL 218
In this course, students explore various ethical frameworks from a cultural and global perspective. Students examine the ways that ethics influence actions, decisions, and perceptions. Furthermore, students develop associated skills related to critical thinking, such as awareness of bias, to analyze issues from an ethical standpoint.
STEM Principles and Problem-Solving
Course ID:
SCI 260
In this course, students learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) methodologies to a wide variety of contemporary issues and complex challenges within society to obtain knowledge and use that knowledge to develop recommendations and propose solutions. Students will leverage a scientific mindset to gather information, analyze data, and communicate information in varying ways based on their intended audience.
Social Issues and Decision-Making
Course ID:
SCS 260
In this course, students use social science methodologies to analyze various sociocultural issues and their impacts on society. In their exploration of the concept of society and how it manifests in different cultures, students learn to contextualize themselves within society, examine the relationship between the individual and society, and analyze the ethical implications of decision-making related to contemporary social issues.
Put your skills to the test with HEaRT
Looking to gain professional healthcare experience before you graduate? Specially designed for learners in healthcare and nursing, HEaRT (Higher Education and Real World Training) is a powerful experiential learning opportunity at SNHU. These online, asynchronous, voluntary experiences help connect students with employers to help solve real-world business problems – so you can be ready to make an impact in your field.
5 track options to earn your MSN faster
If you're looking to earn your MSN – and want to save time and money along the way – the accelerated RN to MSN online pathway option could be the right fit for you.
This pathway option allows you to complete graduate-level courses as an undergrad, reducing 4 of the MSN tracks (Population Healthcare, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Quality & Safety and Nurse Executive Leadership) by 6 credits and 1 of the MSN tracks (Nursing Education) by 9 credits.
The graduate-level courses required for this pathway option are:
- IHP-501: Global Health and Diversity
- NUR-531: Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare
- NUR-634 Facilitating Learning and Teaching Innovation in Nursing Education (Applies to MSN - Nursing Education track only)
It's important to note that in order to move into the MSN program, you must apply and be accepted after graduating from SNHU's BSN program.
RN to BSN students who transition into the accelerated RN to MSN online pathway option can choose from 5 specialty tracks designed to fit your career goals:
Take your nursing expertise and passion for teaching to an academic or clinical setting. Nursing education is a high-demand field with a promising future, as healthcare itself is dynamic and ever-evolving. As a graduate of this program, you'll meet the educational requirements you need to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam offered by the National League for Nursing.
This MSN track requires 135 clinical practicum hours under the guidance of preceptors in your final course.
Promote practices that keep communities safe. An MSN in Population Healthcare can help you identify ways to connect practice to policy in pursuit of local change. You'll learn how partnerships among different sectors of the community – such as public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities and beyond – can help achieve positive health outcomes.
This MSN track requires 135 clinical practicum hours under the guidance of preceptors in your final course.
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Position yourself for success in 1 of most in-demand nursing roles. As a family nurse practioner, you'll have the skills needed to step into a role as a primary care provider. You'll also be able to provide care in environments as diverse as family medicine, private practice, community health clinics and more.
This MSN track requires a total of a minimum of 750 practicum across five practicum courses.
MSN - Healthcare Quality & Safety
Become an advocate for change and gain the skills you need to implement a culture of safety. In this program, you'll design, implement and evaluate healthcare quality improvement initiatives guided by critical thinking, data-driven decision making and evidence-based practices.
This MSN track requires 135 clinical practicum hours under the guidance of preceptors in your final course.
MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership
Set the vision for the delivery of safe, timely, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care. As a nurse leader in executive practice, you'll build leadership, strategic planning, human resources and finance skills. Working within a collaborative and interprofessional environment, you'll influence and improve both the patient experience of care and the health of populations.
This MSN track requires 135 clinical practicum hours under the guidance of preceptors in your final course.
Earn ANCC-accredited nursing CEUs online
At SNHU, we’re committed to your success – even beyond graduation. That’s why we offer accredited continuing education for nurses and healthcare professionals. From 1-hour webinars to multi-day conferences and more, these opportunities are built to help you continue to meet the needs of communities across the globe.
Visit our SNHU continuing education page to learn more.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation.
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
| Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
| Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell |
| Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements
| Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
| Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Apple |
| Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Technology Requirements for Nursing Students
Students enrolled in the BSN program are responsible for ensuring they have the minimum system hardware, software, and equipment. In addition to the original SNHU technology requirements, BSN students should have the following:
- The ability to record (webcams and microphones are often built into laptops or computers)
- At least 5Mbps internet upload speed
- At least 20GB of internal storage space to install and run the required software
- Please note computers with detachable keyboards, such as the Surface Pro, are not supported
- If using a Windows machine, at least Intel i5 OR AMD Ryzen with an integrated graphics chip
- If using a Mac machine, at least Intel i5 or Apple M1 with an integrated graphics chip
- Google Chrome
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Apply for free in minutes
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: March 3, 2025 | May 5, 2025
Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
8-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Learn from experienced nursing faculty
When we say "built for nurses, by nurses," we mean it. Courses throughout the BSN program are taught by instructors with years of firsthand nursing experience.
Featured Faculty
Before her 15+ years in higher education, Dr. Kristi Dalby was a nurse in acute care settings. She brings more than a decade of experience in the intensive care unit, stepdown unit and emergency department to her work at SNHU. Dalby has been recognized with multiple nursing and educator awards, including the D2L Excellence Award from Higher Education and Real-World Training (HEaRT) and the Advisors Recognizing Excellence Award from SNHU. Dalby is also a Certified Nurse Educator.
Position
Undergraduate Nursing Program Director
Joined SNHU
2015
Education
- DNP and BSN from the University of Missouri
- MSN from the University of North Dakota
Read more about Dr. Kristi Dalby and other online faculty at SNHU.
What our instructors have to say
Hear what some of our SNHU instructors have to say about our online BSN program:
Elizabeth Christman, DNP, RN, CNE, clinical faculty at SNHU
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
Step 1: Complete the online application – it only takes minutes.
It's easy, fast and free.
To be fully accepted to the undergraduate nursing program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a conferred diploma in nursing from a State Board of Nursing approved program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam OR an accredited nursing program.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on the degree-awarding transcript OR a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 on the degree-awarding transcript with a minimum of 9 credit hours earned subsequent to the diploma or associate degree with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Must maintain an active unencumbered Registered Nurse license. Licensure exam must be equivalent to NCLEX-RN examination. If a student holds licenses in more than 1 state/jurisdiction, all licenses must be unencumbered.
- Students who graduated from a nursing program and do not yet have their nursing license may be admitted if they meet all other admission requirements. However, evidence of licensure must be provided prior to the course start date of the second nursing term in the program.
If you are considering an MSN program at SNHU, please check MSN admissions criteria including GPA requirements.
If you are an RN to BSN student interested in the accelerated RN to MSN online pathway option, contact an admission counselor or your academic advisor for more information.
Graduates of an ASN program from a New Hampshire community college should contact an admission counselor at Southern New Hampshire University to learn more about our tuition benefit and admission requirements.
NOTE: SNHU nursing programs are not authorized in the state of Washington or US territories and we are not accepting students residing in Washington state or US territories into Nursing programs at this time. Currently enrolled students who move into the state of Washington or a US territory will not be able to continue in nursing courses until they move out of the state of Washington or the US territory. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Admission, and current students should contact their Advisor, for more information.
Students enrolled in SNHU nursing programs must comply with requirements of the healthcare organizations where their Clinical Practice Experiences will be completed. If the healthcare organization requires an affiliation agreement prior to conducting Clinical Practice Experiences, additional requirements may include (but are not limited to) criminal background checks and verification of licensure, drug testing, immunization records, health insurance, and medical malpractice insurance. Students are responsible for any costs incurred as a result of meeting these additional requirements.
Step 2: Submit additional forms.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
Step 3: Make your decision.
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online undergraduate tuition
Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$330
$990
$39,600
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$231
$693
$27,720
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
$14,850 $19,800 $24,750 $29,700If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $24,750
If 60 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $19,800
If 75 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $14,850
If 90 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $9,900
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Career Outlook What can I do with an online BSN?
With changing technologies, healthcare regulations and implementation of care, nurses with bachelor's degrees are needed more than ever before. You may find that some employers seek candidates who already have their BSNs, while others may require you to earn it within a specific timeframe after hiring. In the RN to BSN online program, you can prepare yourself to address today’s complex problems in healthcare.
6%
Increase in registered nurse positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).2
$86,070
Median annual pay for registered nurses as of May 2023, according to the BLS.2
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
What SNHU students are saying
I have two boys. I needed something that was going to work with my schedule, with my kiddos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SNHU's nursing programs accredited?
Yes. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.
Is a BSN a registered nurse (RN)?
No. A registered nurse might have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but they are not the same thing. RN stands for registered nurse – a title given to a nursing professional who has completed educational and licensure requirements. While these requirements vary by state, all RNs must have at least an associate degree and pass an exam known as the NCLEX-RN.
The RN to BSN program gives nurses with associate degrees the opportunity to further their education online while they continue their lives as nursing professionals.
Can you get your RN to BSN online?
Yes, you can earn your RN to BSN online. The RN to BSN online option is perfect for post-licensure registered nurses juggling work, family and other life obligations.
As more and more healthcare employers are demanding their nurses be BSN-holders, earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing helps qualify you for more positions. If you’ve already completed an accredited associate program in nursing, the flexibility of our online BSN program could be a great way to help advance your career without missing shifts.
Plus, you'll have access to a network of nursing experts who can help you throughout your program.
"Our students are supported from day 1," said Kristi Dalby, DNP, RN, CNE, Undergraduate Nursing Program Director at SNHU. "Online learning can feel isolating, but not at Southern New Hampshire University. The faculty and advising support is incredible."
And at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), we take credibility seriously. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Our online BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).1
Does RN to BSN require clinical hours?
We believe that nurses shine when they're out in the world – whether it's in an emergency room, a clinic or a residential care facility. This is why we've built our curriculum to include assignments that take students into their communities through clinical practice experiences. Please note this is not the same experience that a registered nurse would have experienced in their pre-licensure program.
Our nursing program accreditor, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), defines clinical practice experiences as planned learning activities in nursing practice that allow students to understand, perform and refine professional competencies.
Is there experiential learning within a BSN program?
Some BSN programs do incorporate hands-on projects into their work. Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) online program is one of them.
“They have the opportunity to collaborate with a mentor to make an impact on a population in our Nursing in the Community course," said Kristi Dalby, DNP, RN, CNE, Undergraduate Nursing Program Director at SNHU. "In this course, students work with a qualified mentor to assess community needs and develop a QI proposal.”
Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Higher Education and Real World Training (HEaRT) program.
“This program provides students the opportunity to partner with other nursing and health professional students to solve real-world employer-based projects posed by healthcare industry leaders,” said Elizabeth Christman, DNP, RN, CNE, clinical faculty at SNHU.
Qualified students who participate may be able to earn prior learning assessment (PLA) credit for an undergraduate elective, or even to apply toward a graduate level course within the MSN program at SNHU.
How long does it take to go from RN to BSN?
The time it takes to complete an RN to BSN program depends on how many courses you take per term and your prior educational experience. But already having RN licensure means you’re well on your way to completing your BSN.
At Southern New Hampshire University, your unencumbered RN license alone is worth 45 credits of your BSN, and we accept up to 90 transfer credits. This means you can complete your RN to BSN program in as little as 1 year.
What kind of nurses get paid the most?
Salaries for nurses vary depending on several factors, including years of experience, level of education and industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2023 was $86,070.2 In that same year, nurses in government ($99,840) and state, local and private hospitals ($88,430) were among the top earners. Ambulatory healthcare services ($81,230), nursing and residential care facilities ($79,280), and educational services in state, local and private sectors ($71,550) followed closely behind.2
For those looking to advance beyond a BSN, an accelerated RN to MSN online pathway option can help position you for advanced practice or leadership roles. Learn more about types of nurses.
How fast can I get my MSN?
The pace at which you can earn an MSN depends on your chosen pathway. However, Southern New Hampshire University's accelerated pathways (offered for all 5 specialty MSN tracks) are a great way to speed along the process. They allow students to take courses during their BSN that can then be used to waive credits in each of the MSN tracks. 4 of the MSN tracks (Population Healthcare, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Quality & Safety and Nurse Executive Leadership) can be reduced by 6 credits, while 1 of the MSN tracks (Nursing Education) can be reduced by 9 credits.
Related Articles
Sources & Citations
1 The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (viewed April 19, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
3 American Association of Colleges and Nursing, The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education [PDF], on the internet, at https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf (viewed Oct. 7, 2021)