Earn Your MSN Faster with the RN to MSN Online Accelerated Nursing Program
Keep your momentum and reach your goals faster with Southern New Hampshire University's Accelerated RN-to-MSN online degree pathway, which allows registered nurses to move through a RN-BSN-MSN track without a break in continuity. The accelerated nursing program option saves tuition and time - up to 20 weeks.
The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing programs at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
See Yourself Succeed in Nursing
The Accelerated RN to MSN online track is perfect for professional nurses with defined education goals. This affordable degree option offers a seamless academic pathway by allowing eligible BSN students to complete two graduate-level courses within their BSN program. Successful completion of these courses will then waive two courses within the MSN program, saving both tuition and time. Prior to moving into the MSN program, students must successfully achieve their BSN degree at SNHU.
SNHU RN to BSN students who apply to and are accepted into the online Accelerated RN to MSN option can choose to pursue different tracks:
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of enrolling in the accelerated nursing program at SNHU include:
- Accredited. The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing programs at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it's convenient for you - online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your degree at your own pace, over six 8-week undergraduate terms and five 10-week graduate terms per year
- Expert instruction. Learn from nursing professionals with relevant, real-world experience
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward the BSN, with a minimum of 30 credits completed at SNHU
Accelerated RN to MSN Admission Requirements:
If you're interested in SNHU's online Accelerated RN to MSN online pathway, you must first be accepted into SNHU's online RN to BSN program. Learn more about the admission requirements for the RN to BSN program. To pursue the Accelerated RN to MSN online, you must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 in the BSN program. Please contact either your SNHU admission counselor or your academic advisor for more detail.
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.
At this time SNHU is not enrolling nursing students from Washington state.
Career Outlook
As a registered nurse (RN), you are part of a noble profession, one that blends professionalism with compassion. But you are also part of the fastest growing field in America. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare will add more jobs by 2026 than any other occupation - about 2.3 million.*.
The demand for nurses with bachelor's-level education continues to grow at hospitals and other healthcare organizations. The Institute of Medicine is urging that the number of BSN-prepared nurses increase to 80 percent by 2020, and healthcare providers are seeking nurses with an MSN for their supervisory and managerial opportunities.*
The RN-BSN-MSN track can expand your nursing career employment and leadership opportunities and prepare you to serve as a Clinical Nurse Leader, clinical nursing faculty member and a nursing administrator. Reach your career goals faster by moving from RN-BSN-MSN.
Curriculum
Upon acceptance into the Accelerated RN to MSN online pathway, you'll perform graduate-level work in two BSN courses (NUR 540 and NUR 545) that eliminates the requirement for two graduate-level courses (NUR 601 and NUR 607), saving you time and money.
Nursing is, at heart, a profession that emphasizes compassion. Your instructors are caring professionals who are leaders in their field, and who understand that good nurses are those who put the needs of their patients first whether they are in the boardroom, the classroom or the operating room.
As with other SNHU programs, the accelerated online RN to MSN programs allow you to customize your path to suit your own strengths, community needs and career goals. Our nursing curriculum combines a focus on patient care with healthcare focus on leadership. This will allow you to cover topics such as:
- Evidence-based practice
- Pathophysiology
- Population and global health
- Healthcare policy and law
- Continuous quality improvement
Degree Courses
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IHP
420
Ethical and Legal Considerations of Healthcare
Students in this course examine the role of health care policy and legal, regulatory, and quality control in ethical decision making in healthcare. Students explore concepts and principles of health care policy, legal control, ethical conduct, and regulatory environments and their application to the health care environment. The impact of health care policy and multicultural, socioeconomic, political, legal, and regulatory factors on health care systems is explored.
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IHP
450
Healthcare Management and Finance
This course focuses on the concepts, principles, tools, finances and strategies used in managing operations within a performance improvement model. Students will explore problem solving and decision making models as well as tools and techniques for planning, organizing, directing, controlling, reporting, and improving the productivity and performance of resources within a healthcare department. Additionally, topics will include healthcare finance reimbursement, bookkeeping, accounting principles, budgeting processes (capital and operating), and cost/benefits analysis.
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NUR
300
Scholarly Inquiry
This course is designed to introduce the licensed registered nurse to the role of the bachelor's prepared nurse in complex health care setting. The Transformational model of learning will be the foundation to develop scholarly inquiry in order to improve practice. Skill development in critical reflection, assessing evidence, professional writing, study habits, and work-life balance will be essential for success. The goal is to provide a knowledge base in nursing theory to improve nursing practice. The role of the Bachelor's prepared nurse as a patient advocate, clinical expert and a leader in evidence-based practice and transformation of health care will be emphasized. The course will discuss the capstone course and development of a project.
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NUR
305
Information Management and Patient Care Technologies
This course explores patient care technologies, information systems, telecommunication technologies, and communication devices that support safe nursing practice. Topics covered include standardized terminology; electronic health record, patient portal, meaningful use, and pay for performance; data integrity, abstraction and mining; use of clinical decision support tools to promote patient safety, and ethical and legal issues related to information technology.
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NUR
325
Patient Assessment and Health Literacy
The student will analyze health assessment methods and communication strategies for diverse populations across the continuum of care in this course. An overview of assessment techniques and patient education will be explored in order to support informed health care decisions. Development of interpersonal effectiveness and cultural competence will be the focus of competency for the student. The goal of health literacy will be to develop verbal and written communication strategies that nurses can use to effectively meet the individualized needs of the patient to promote health and address illness. The student will review standards of care and regulations which oversee the provision of safe and effective care. This three-credit hour course will include 45 hours of practical application of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired in the course.
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NUR
350
Community and Population Health
In this course, the student will develop the ability to assess, analyze, and recommend change for health issues for groups and in communities. Topics will include local and regional conditions that affect vulnerable populations through the lifespan. Case management and care coordination will be discussed. Application of community health principles will be the foundation for recommending interventions. The prevention will include diverse, environmental disease treatments and healthcare policy strategies. This three credit hour course will include 45 hours of practical application of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired in the course.
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NUR
400
Systems Leadership for Continuous Quality
This course will explore organizational and systems leadership within the complex clinical microsystems to promote high quality patient care utilizing the knowledge, skills and attitudes to promote care coordination, negotiation, change management, team building and collaboration within the interdisciplinary team. Topics will include quality improvement and safety concepts using structure, process and outcome measures, and performance improvement methodologies to promote quality outcomes for diverse populations. This three credit hour course will include 45 hours of practical application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
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NUR
490
Transformational Capstone
The Transformational Capstone course will utilize a seminar process, portfolio development, and final project to illustrate achievement of all program outcomes. In keeping with the Transformational Learning Theory, the summative activities will provide evidence of the student's progression to a baccalaureate-professional nurse. This three credit hour course will include 90 hours of practicum experience to demonstrate synthesis of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired in the program.
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Select one of the following:
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NUR
315
Pathophysiology for Nurses
This course introduces the student to common health problems in individuals. Adult conditions will be reviewed. Cellular disruptions resulting from environmental, genetic, and stress conditions will be analyzed. The understanding of nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan and implement treatments for disease processes will serve as the foundation for decision-making and management. Diagnostic evaluations and holistic management of selected disease processes will be explored.
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NUR
540
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Life Span
Analyze the relationships between normal physiology and specific system alterations produced by injury and disease to foster clinical reasoning skills. Determine the developmental, genetic, environmental influences, and clinical manifestations of major health problems across the lifespan with a focus on etiology and pathogenesis. Utilize the nursing process as the foundation for decision-making and holistic management.
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Select one of the following:
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NUR
325
Patient Assessment and Health Literacy
The student will analyze health assessment methods and communication strategies for diverse populations across the continuum of care in this course. An overview of assessment techniques and patient education will be explored in order to support informed health care decisions. Development of interpersonal effectiveness and cultural competence will be the focus of competency for the student. The goal of health literacy will be to develop verbal and written communication strategies that nurses can use to effectively meet the individualized needs of the patient to promote health and address illness. The student will review standards of care and regulations which oversee the provision of safe and effective care. This three-credit hour course will include 45 hours of practical application of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired in the course.
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NUR
545
Advanced Health and Literacy Assessment
Build on knowledge of pathophysiology and clinical experience to master health assessment skills and communication strategies. Conduct comprehensive, evidence-based health assessments encompassing environmental, genetic, multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. Explore ways of adapting their communication style to meet the specific needs of their clients. Examine the physical and mental health exam and formulate plans to ensure effective patient-centered care, including assessing health literacy when conducting care and education. Utilize simulations to practice knowledge and skill acquisition (additional costs for practice simulation software may occur).
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As an Accelerated RN to MSN student, you can choose from many of our graduate-level specializations or opt for no specialization at all.
- Nursing (MSN)
- Nurse Educator (MSN)
- Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN)
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Free Elective Credits: 9
Total Credits: 120
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Program Outcomes
- Apply skills in using patient care technologies, information systems and clinical decision support tools to promote safe nursing practice and quality patient outcomes
- Utilize evidence-based practice in planning, implementing and evaluating outcomes of care
- Formulate strategies to promote health and prevent disease in individuals and populations across the lifespan
- Implement patient safety and quality initiatives within the complex clinical microsystem using leadership and communication skills
- Analyze trends in healthcare policy, finance and regulatory environments and their implications for healthcare access, equity, and affordability
- Evaluate life-long learning and nursing engagement to promote personal and professional transformation
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30 percent tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
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Online Undergraduate Programs
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Per Course*
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Per Credit Hour*
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Degree/Certificates
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$960 |
$320 |
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)
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$675 |
$225 |
*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm (viewed online December 22, 2017). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health," on the internet, at http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing/Future%20of%20Nursing%202010%20Recommendations.pdf (viewed online December 22, 2017)