CONTACT:
Robert Rosseter
AACN Chief Communications Officer(202) 463-6930, ext.231
rrosseter@aacnnursing.org

Fact Sheet:
Degree Completion Programs forRegistered Nurses: RN to Master’s Degree
and RN to Baccalaureate Programs
Quality patient care hinges on having a highly educated nursing workforce. Research has
shown the lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors and quality outcomes are all linked
to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and higher degree level. The American Associationof Colleges of Nursing (AACN) supports the career ladder concept for nursing andunderstands that education enhances both clinical competency and patient care.
To facilitate a more highly educated workforce, degree completion programs provide
additional education to registered nurses (RNs) who received their initial nursing preparationin diploma and associate degree (ADN) programs. These bridge programs build on previous
learning, prepare nurses for a higher level of nursing practice, and provide RNs with theeducation necessary to move forward in their nursing careers.

RN to Master’s Degree Program
Currently, there are 179 programs available nationwide to transition RNs with diplomas andassociate degrees to the master’s degree level (MSN, MS or Master of Science in Nursingdegree). These programs prepare nurses to assume positions requiring graduate
preparation, including roles in administration, teaching, research, and as Clinical Nurse
Leaders. Master’s degree-prepared nurses are in high demand as expert clinicians, nurseexecutives, clinical educators, health policy consultants, and research assistants. For a listingof RN to MSN programs, use the online AACN member program directory.
•RN to MSN programs generally take up to 3 years to complete with specific requirements
varying by institution and the student’s previous course work. Though the majority ofthese programs are offered in traditional classroom settings, some RN to MSN programs
are offered largely online or in a blended classroom/online format.

•The baccalaureate level content missing from diploma and ADN programs is built into the1front-end of the RN to MSN program. Mastery of this upper-level basic nursing content isnecessary for students to move on to graduate study. Upon completion, many program
award both the baccalaureate and master’s degree.
•The number of RN to MSN programs has more than doubled in the past 30 years, from 70
programs in 1994 to 179 programs today. According to AACN’s 2023 survey of nursing
schools, 17 new RN to MSN programs are in the planning stages.

Talking Points•Nursing degree completion programs provide an important bridge for creating amore highly educated nursing workforce and enhancing patient care. Hospitals andother employers are encouraged to support nurses interested in completing these
programs and strengthening their nursing practice.

•There is a misperception that RN to MSN programs can circumvent baccalaureate levelnursing content which is not the case. In fact, the baccalaureate course workembedded in these programs must provide a sufficient bridge to graduate study inorder to prepare students to complete graduate level courses and to meet theaccreditation standards set by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

•For nurses interested in teaching careers, RN to MSN programs can be an importantfirst step in their education en route to doctoral preparation. AACN recognizes thedoctoral degree as the appropriate and desired credential for a career as a nurse
educator. Though master’s level nurses with additional course work are prepared toteach in clinical capacities and entry-level nursing programs, the doctoral degree isnecessary to fulfill the full nurse faculty role in senior colleges and universities and toachieve parity with faculty in the other health professions.

RN to Baccalaureate Programs
RN to Baccalaureate (BSN, BS, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs provide an efficient
bridge for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses who wish to develop stronger clinical reasoning
and analytical skills to advance their careers. RN to BSN programs build on initial nursing
preparation with course work to enhance professional development, prepare for a broader
scope of practice, and provide a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, andsocial issues that affect patients and influence care delivery. These programs are growing inimportance since many professional practice settings, including Magnet hospitals and academic
health centers, now require or prefer the baccalaureate degree for specific nursing roles. For alisting of RN to BSN programs, use the online AACN member program directory.
•Currently 706 RN to BSN programs are available nationwide, including more than 630
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programs that are offered at least partially online. Program length varies between 1 to2 years depending upon the school’s requirements, program type and the student’s
previous academic achievement.
•Despite calls for a more highly educated nursing workforce, enrollment andgraduations from RN to BSN programs have dipped in recent years. From 2022 to2023, enrollments decreased 9.9%, and graduations were down by 14.5%. This 5-year
downward trend follows an enrollment surge in RN to BSN programs, which saw arapid increase from 30,684 students in 2002 to 139,587 enrolled students in 2018 (a355% increase).

•Hundreds of articulation agreements between ADN and diploma programs and fouryear institutions exist nationwide, including some statewide agreements, to facilitate
students seeking baccalaureate level nursing education. Before enrolling in diplomaand ADN programs, students are encouraged to check with school administrators tosee what articulation agreements exist with baccalaureate schools and to determine
which course work will be transferable.

Last Update: June 20243