If you're interested in a career in nursing, there are plenty of options for your educational journey. However, if you want to minimize your time in school while still getting the most out of the experience, an RN-BSN-MSN pathway with stackable certificates may be right for you.
There's more than one way to become a nurse, but a path that begins with a registered nurse license (or RN license) before transitioning to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees makes lots of practical sense.
Earning your RN license before pursuing your BSN is a great way to gain practical, hands-on nursing experience. This foundation can help you feel more confident as you advance into BSN or MSN studies, allowing you to apply what you learn directly to your daily practice.
As you progress through each degree, you can also open the door to exciting career advancement opportunities— including specialized and leadership roles available to nurses with an MSN degree.
Working as a nurse often means that your free time is limited, so making the most of every minute is important. An RN-BSN-MSN trajectory is an extremely efficient way to gain real-world experience and earn your degrees without wasting time on unrelated coursework or spending more time in school than necessary.
Not sure where to begin when planning an RN-BSN-MSN path? Here are some tips to help you get started.
First, consider where you stand with your nursing education. Have you completed some nursing coursework already? If so, check to see whether it might transfer to a BSN program. In some cases, experience from your work as an RN may even qualify for prior learning assessment (PLA) credits, so be sure to explore your options.
Next, you can perform a gap analysis to compare your current nursing education with the requirements for your ideal nursing role. For example, if you dream of leading other teams of healthcare professionals toward quality improvement in nursing, then you may want to explore a nursing leadership certificate. This can help you gain the skills and knowledge needed to effectively motivate teams.
As you prepare to begin your BSN program, think carefully about not just the next few years but also your future enrollment in an MSN program.
Opt for a BSN curriculum that will translate as seamlessly as possible into an MSN program, with essential coursework in topics such as:
A well-rounded BSN program that builds on these areas can strengthen your clinical judgment, expand your understanding of health systems, and lay the groundwork for graduate-level study.
As part of your undergraduate experience, you might also explore certificates that can be stacked to build your knowledge and credentials. Some common options include:
These certifications not only enhance your clinical expertise but also signal readiness for leadership and graduate-level education.
After completing your BSN, prepare to move straight into your MSN to streamline your education.
Many MSN programs offer different concentrations or tracks, such as those in population health nursing, MSN nursing education, MSN nursing informatics, or nursing leadership. The courses you take will depend largely on the track you choose, so be sure to decide before enrolling.
During an MSN program, you might explore stackable graduate certificates as a means of furthering your knowledge and skills while differentiating yourself in the job market. One popular option is a nursing education certificate, which could prepare you to teach in academic, clinical, and public health settings.
So, what might your education timeline look like if you decide to embark on an RN-BSN-MSN trajectory?
While every nursing student's journey will look different, aspiring nurses may begin by earning their RN licenses, which require a diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. From there, RNs may become licensed in their respective states and begin gaining practical experience in the field.
Upon acceptance into a BSN program, many nursing students will have applicable transfer and/or PLA credits to minimize the time required to earn their degrees. For example, students often complete their BSNs in as little as 12 to 18 months. Some may even opt for an RN to BSN online to complete coursework while also keeping up with the demands of working as an RN.
Toward the end of a BSN program, nursing students should be proactive about applying to MSN programs. Space in MSN programs can be limited, so it's better to apply sooner rather than later. Once accepted, many students can complete their MSNs within 18 to 24 months.
No matter what your educational journey may look like, it's a good idea to check in with your academic advisor regularly. Degree audit planning can ensure that the courses you're taking (and planning to take) will keep you on track to graduate by your desired timeline. In general, it's a good idea to check in with your advisor at least once per academic year.
As part of a BSN program, students may have opportunities to participate in hands-on learning experiences.
A BSN program may require practice experiences or clinical practicum hours as part of a capstone course. During these courses, students can demonstrate the knowledge and skills they’ve gained by leading and managing a nursing capstone project. In some cases, RNs may even be able to complete practicums at their places of employment.
MSN programs may also include a practicum component, in which students are expected to demonstrate the application of nursing topics in a real-world healthcare setting. This may culminate in the form of a written project, although specifics can vary from one program to the next.
You know you want to pursue your RN-to-BSN-to-MSN, but you're not sure how you'll pay for it. The good news? There are steps you can take to make paying for a nursing education more manageable.
First, be sure to take advantage of financial aid, both through the federal government and your chosen school. Filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a great way to determine whether you qualify for any grants. You can also explore loan options.
Once you're working as an RN, check to see if your work offers any employer tuition assistance to help nurses cover higher education costs. Many schools also offer payment plans for college students, allowing them to make equal installment payments throughout the course of a semester rather than being responsible for a lump sum all at once.
Careful planning during your BSN and MSN programs can also help you keep costs down. For example, you might be able to qualify for PLA credits or apply transfer credits to reduce the number of classes needed during your nursing programs. This, in addition to careful planning with your academic advisor, can help you stay on track while keeping costs lower.
Looking for additional support as you embark on your RN-BSN-MSN journey? Here are some resources that can help.
There are plenty of free academic and tech tools you can use to get the most out of your education, including:
Another common challenge encountered during a BSN and/or MSN program is time management for nurses. Fortunately, there are several time management strategies that can help you balance your responsibilities, such as the Pomodoro method and the Eisenhower Matrix.
As you earn your BSN and, eventually, your MSN, it's important to demonstrate your progress to employers.
In addition to keeping your résumé updated, you can show your progress with a nursing portfolio that includes:
Once you’re equipped with an updated résumé and nursing portfolio, as well as the right credentials, you can start career advancement for nurses. This might include applying for a nurse educator position, moving into a charge nurse or nurse manager role, or pursuing opportunities in areas like informatics, public health, or advanced clinical practice.
Not all BSN and MSN programs are created equal, so be sure to choose one that's accredited, ideally by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
CCNE-accredited online nursing programs give you peace of mind that the curriculum and program have met or exceeded certain standards for quality set by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In many cases, CCNE accreditation is also tied to federal financial aid.
This will vary depending on how many transfer credits you have going into the BSN program. In general, many students with strong transfer credits and steady pacing complete their BSNs in 12 to 18 months. An MSN often takes between 18 and 24 months to finish, depending on course load and remaining credits.
No, not if you choose embedded certificates that double-count toward degree requirements. These certificates can actually add immediate value to your résumé while keeping you on track to finish sooner rather than later.
If you haven't completed certain statistics or research requirements, register for them in the final term of your BSN, if possible. If not, you can take them as early bridge courses before you begin your MSN to keep your timeline on track.
If your workplace meets certain faculty oversight, learning objectives, and preceptor qualifications, it is possible that your practicum can be completed there. However, it's important to confirm site agreements early, so be sure to speak with your advisor.
There are many ways to keep costs down while working and earning a degree simultaneously. Many nursing students will maximize transfer and PLA credits, leverage employer tuition benefits, and opt for open educational resources (OER) or low-cost texts when available. Term-based payment plans can also make tuition more manageable.
Not necessarily. To keep yourself sharp, consider maintaining limited clinical shifts or shadowing and leading unit projects. This way, you can learn to translate bedside outcomes into leadership/informatics metrics.
While some Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) tracks are non–Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (non-APRN) programs — such as those focused on leadership, education, or informatics — Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) tracks often include additional specialty coursework, supervised clinical hours, and national board certification requirements. If you plan to pursue an APRN or NP pathway, be sure to account for these added components when organizing your academic and professional timeline.
