RN to BSN and RN to MSN: Learning Options and Specialties

If you’re a practicing registered nurse (RN), you’ve already stepped into one of the most rewarding professions there is. But what’s next? Becoming an RN is a major accomplishment, but why not consider going further?

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs provide knowledge and skills you can use to explore a wider range of nursing specialties and opportunities. So, what BSN opportunities stand apart from typical RN job roles? Let’s explore how advancing your nursing education can help you position yourself for more specialized roles and having a greater influence on patient care.

What Is an RN to BSN Program?

An RN to BSN program is a degree-completion pathway designed for RNs who want to earn a bachelor’s degree. These programs are structured to build on nurses’ existing education and clinical experience.

The curriculum typically includes advanced topics such as:

• Nursing leadership
• Evidence-based practice
• Emerging healthcare technologies
• Communications
• Public health nursing

The best nursing schools, like Chamberlain University, offer RN to BSN programs with 100% online coursework plus a direct care component. This flexible online learning format allows you to continue your education while maintaining your current personal and professional responsibilities. And at Chamberlain, you can complete the RN to BSN program in as few as 12 months.

Chamberlain is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the BSN degree program has Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation.

Careers in Advanced Nursing Specialties

After gaining education and experience through your BSN program, you may be ready to explore more specialized and advanced roles. These positions often require a deeper understanding of clinical practice, leadership, and collaboration.

“The increasing scope of nursing opportunities will grow immensely as nurses increasingly become the frontline providers of healthcare,” the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) says in writing about the importance of baccalaureate education. “They (nurses) are assuming important roles in the provision of managed care, and they will be responsible for coordinating and continuing the care outside traditional healthcare facilities. Nurses play a big role in educating the public and addressing the social and economic causes of health issues.”¹

Here are some of the specialty areas where you’ll find BSN-prepared nurses working:

• Critical care
• Emergency medicine
• Occupational health
• Public health

Earning an RN to BSN degree also can help you unlock doors to career settings you may not have considered. From fast-paced hospitals to more unconventional workplaces like cruise ships, there are dozens of places when BSN-prepared RNs may be able to apply their nursing skills. These include:

• Hospitals
• Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
• Physician’s offices
• Amusement parks
• Cruise ships
• Summer camps
• Home health settings
• Schools
• Public health clinics

How Can RNs Earn an MSN Degree?

For many nurses, a bachelor’s degree is just the beginning. RNs who are looking to advance their education may want to consider earning a Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing.

At Chamberlain, there’s even an Accelerated RN to MSN Option, designed for nurses who want to advance quickly into generalist roles in nursing practice. This accelerated option lets associate degree-prepared nurses earn a Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing degree without first completing a separate bachelor’s degree program. Although a bachelor’s is not awarded, all BSN-level requirements are fulfilled as part of the program.

If you decide to pursue the MSN degree program, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a specialization. These include:

Nurse Practitioner Specializations

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Nonclinical Specializations

• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Executive
• Healthcare Policy
• Nurse Informatics
• Population Health

Choose Your Nursing Education and Career Path

With a national nursing shortage projected in the coming years,² nursing leaders like those at the AACN believe the need for nurses with BSN and MSN degrees will only grow stronger.

“The healthcare system is demanding more from nurses,” the AACN writes. “The education of a nurse must transcend the traditional areas, such as chemistry and anatomy, to enable them to gain a deeper understanding of health promotion, disease prevention, screening, genetic counseling, and immunization. Nurses will have to understand how health problems may have a social cause, often referred to as the social determinants of health.”¹

If you’re ready to take your education to the next level, you can learn more about the RN to BSN and RN to MSN degree programs by contacting Chamberlain online or calling an Enrollment Representative at 877.751.5783. Your passion for helping others has fueled your desire to become a nurse. Now may be the time to invest in your future by building new nursing skills and expertise.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 130 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: www.aacnnursing.org/students/nursing-education-pathways/baccalaureate-education

²Source: www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage 

By Chamberlain University