Earn an advanced nursing credential and choose from two career-focused track options for continued success.

Overview

Experienced advanced practice nurses are in high demand, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting faster-than-average job growth of 26% through 2028. Fairleigh Dickinson University’s RN to MSN degree will prepare the student for career advancement and leadership opportunities in the role of an Advance Practice Nurse (APN). This is an accelerated RN to MSN Program for Registered Nurses with an associate degree in nursing and a valid nursing license. The terminal degree is an MSN and students will not earn a BSN in the program. This fast-track program is designed to give registered nurses the opportunity to complete requirements for their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Up to 84 credits will be awarded towards the accelerated RN to MSN program

The RN to MSN program features two track options:  Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track and the Nursing Education track. Upon completion, students will have the knowledge, skills, and clinical hours needed for national FNP certification or a successful career as a nurse educator.

Key Topics of Study Include:

  • Health assessment
  • Healthcare economics
  • Bioethics
  • Community health nursing
  • Healthcare management
  • Research
  • Advanced pharmacology
  • Advanced practice

Students in the RN to MSN program are guided by expert educators and benefit from an interactive curriculum with hands-on clinical experience. Practicum hours align with your chosen track option so you will gain valuable preparation for your educational and professional goals.

Admission requirements

  • A completed Graduate Admissions Application
  • Associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.2
  • Copy of your current NJ nursing license
  • One year of clinical nursing practice
  • All official college transcripts.
  • Two letters of recommendation (one employer and one academic).
  • Compliance with mandatory medical/health and non-medical student clearance requirements
  • A personal statement

Degree plan

For registered nurses who hold an associate degree in nursing and have passed the NCLEX- RN, Fairleigh Dickinson University will award up to 84 credits toward an accelerated RN to MSN degree.

The remaining courses needed to complete degree and requirements are for each track (FNP or Nurse Educator) option in the RN to MSN curriculum are outlined below. A BSN will not be awarded; the terminal degree is a Master of Science in nursing (MSN).

RN to MSN: FNP track

  • NURS2550 Comprehensive Health Assessment                                            
  • NURS2551 Lab: Comprehensive Health Assessment
  • PSYC2210 Statistics
  • NURS3208 Healthcare Economics
  • NURS3209 Bioethics
  • NURS3371 Prof Nurse in the 21st Century
  • NURS4420 Healthcare Management
  • NURS4430 Nursing Research
  • NURS4500 Nursing Management of Populations
  • NURS4501 Lab: Nursing Management of Populations
  • NURS6600 Introduction to Advanced Nursing Practice: Philosophy & Theories
  • NURS6615 Advanced Pharmacology
  • NURS6620 Advanced Health Assessment
  • NURS6621 Advanced Health Assessment: Practicum
  • NURS6682 Advanced Nursing: Primary Care I
  • NURS6683 Advanced Nursing: Primary Care I Practicum
  • NURS7702 Advanced Pathophysiology
  • NURS7735 Advanced Nursing: Primary Care II
  • NURS7736 Advanced Nursing: Primary Care II Practicum
  • NURS7794 Advanced Nursing: Family Primary Care I
  • NURS7795 Advanced Nursing: Family Primary Care I: Practicum
  • NURS7810 Advanced Nursing: Family Primary Care II
  • NURS7811 Advanced Nursing: Family Primary Care II: Practicum
  • NURS7812 Family Systems
  • NURS7820 Translating Research into Evidence Based Practice

Total clinical hours for the MSN-FNP are the 650 precepted hours needed for the degree completion and national certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Students must submit all clinical (practicum) placements for approval.

RN to MSN: Education Track

  • NURS2550 Comprehensive Health Assessment                                            
  • NURS2551 Lab: Comprehensive Health Assessment
  • PSYC2210 Statistics
  • NURS3208 Healthcare Economics
  • NURS3209 Bioethics
  • NURS3371 Prof Nurse in the 21st Century
  • NURS4420 Healthcare Management
  • NURS4430 Nursing Research
  • NURS4500 Nursing Management of Populations
  • NURS4501 Lab: Nursing Management of Populations
  • NURS6600 Introduction to Advanced Nursing Practice: Philosophy & Theories
  • NURS6615 Advanced Pharmacology
  • NURS6620 Advanced Health Assessment
  • NURS6621 Advanced Health Assessment: Practicum
  • NURS7702 Advanced Pathophysiology
  • NURS7705 Educational and Learning Theory
  • NURS7706 Teaching Strategies for the Learning Environment
  • NURS7713 Curriculum Development and Theory
  • NURS7714 Outcome Assessment                                                                  
  • NURS7722 Advanced Nursing Care Practicum
  • NURS7771 Seminar in Nursing Education                                                                             
  • NURS7820 Translating Research into Evidence Based Practice

The MSN-Education track includes a total of 120 precepted hours, which are completed in the Advance Nursing Care Practicum course. Students are required to have an approved faculty preceptor in the practicum course.