RN-BSN to MSN Online Option

In the RN-BSN to MSN Online Option, eligible RN students completing their BSN degree at Chamberlain may apply for admission to the MSN degree program prior to completing their BSN degree. Students are able to complete their BSN degree while enrolled in the MSN program, by taking selected MSN courses in place of two required BSN nursing courses. The MSN courses offer a more focused, higher level of content than the corresponding BSN courses.

Students are able to meet program outcomes for the BSN degree through completion of the BSN curriculum, with 6 alternate credit hours of select MSN coursework. 

At this time, Chamberlain College of Nursing cannot accept inquiries for the RN-BSN to MSN Online Option from the states of Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, or Washington. 

Important Resources

• CGPA of 3.0 or greater in RN to BSN coursework (minimum of 25 credit hours of coursework must be taken at Chamberlain)
• Completion of the following general education courses for the BSN degree:
  • ENGL-147: Advanced Composition
  • MATH-114: Algebra for College Students
  • MATH-221: Statistics for Decision Making
  • ECON-312: Principles of Economics
  • SOCS-350: Cultural Diversity in the Professions
  • Humanities Elective
  • History Elective
• Completion of the following nursing courses with a grade of "B" or higher:
  • NR-351: Transitions in Professional Nursing
  • NR-443: Community Health Nursing
  • NR-305: Health Assessment
  • NR-361: Information Systems in Healthcare
  • NR-449: Evidence-based Practice

* Conditional Admission to RN-BSN to MSN Option: Students admitted to the RN-BSN to MSN option are admitted to the MSN program under conditional status. Students take one graduate level course (NR-504) and must achieve a "B" or higher to be accepted for full admission to the MSN program. Students who take NR-504 and fail to achieve a "B" or higher will be dismissed from the MSN program. In the event the student is dismissed from the MSN program and is in good standing with the College, he/she may return to the RN-BSN option. 

Licensure Requirements: Chamberlain is committed to preparing graduates for professional nursing practice. To achieve this goal, students in the RN to BSN option and the LPN to RN Bridge option must maintain a current, active license to practice nursing in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). All students must maintain licensure throughout the program of study. Failure to do so will result in a dismissal from the College.

RN-BSN to MSN Clinicals

RN to BSN students engage in special learning projects in lieu of clinical instruction/practice.

In the MSN degree program, the culminating course of the MSN degree programs is a 100-hour practicum experience. The practicum course provides students an opportunity to apply newly developed skills and theoretical knowledge to real-world practice situations. This final concentrated professional experience helps to further prepare students for an advanced practice role, while allowing students to enhance their skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and professionalism.

Students in all specialty tracks are responsible for identifying an appropriate practicum location and mentor that meet the criteria established by Chamberlain. Once these two items are secured, the student, in collaboration with an assigned faculty member, must execute a learning agreement that addresses the expected learning outcomes and the means of measuring success. Students must possess an unrestricted registered nursing license in the state where they will complete their practicum experience.

During the practicum, the student works closely with their mentor to ensure they are achieving both their course requirements and personal objectives. The student also keeps a learning journal accurately reflecting activities and the means of meeting course requirements. The assigned faculty member is responsible for evaluating the student’s performance and all associated assignments completed during the practicum experience.

Please note that the student is responsible for making travel arrangements, complying with agency health and screening requirements at the practicum site, and incurring all related expenses.

Tuition & Fees | Financial Aid

MSN Gainful Employment Disclosures

On-Time Completion Rate
100% of students who completed the MSN degree program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 graduated on-time (within the published length of the program).

Median Loan Debt
Graduates of this program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 had a median loan debt and are obligated to repay:
$48,397 in federal student loan debt
$0 in private loan debt
$0 in institutional financing plan debt

Note: There were 212 graduates from this program during this reporting period.

Program Cost Information
The total cost for the MSN degree program is $29,160. The total program cost for the RN-BSN to MSN online option is $55,420. For more detailed information, download the Tuition, Fees & Expenses Cost Calculations (PDF).

Program Cost Information - Effective July 2013
The total cost for the MSN degree program is $26,310. The total program cost for the RN-BSN to MSN online option is $51,720. For more detailed information, download the Tuition and Fees Grid Effective July 2013 (PDF).

Program Occupation Information
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code assigned to the MSN degree program is 51.3801: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Associated Standard Occupational codes related to this CIP code, and detailed information about the occupations graduates of this program enter, can be found at these links:
25-1072 : Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1072.00
29-1111 : Registered Nurses: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.00
11-9111 : Clinical Nurse Specialists: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11.9111.01
29-1111 : Acute Care Nurses: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.01
29-1111 : Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.02
29-1111 : Critical Care Nurse: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.03

To research additional careers of interest, you may want to visit these websites:
O*NET  (Click on “Find Occupations”)
Occupational Outlook Handbook (Type in general term for career of interest)

BSN Gainful Employment Disclosures

On-Time Completion Rate
61% of students who completed the BSN degree program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 graduated on-time (within the published length of the program).

Median Loan Debt
Graduates of this program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 had a median loan debt and are obligated to repay:
$24,880 in federal student loan debt
$0 in private loan debt
$0 in institutional financing plan debt

Note: There were 3,769 graduates from this program during this reporting period.

Program Cost Information
The total cost for the 3-year BSN program is $85,301. The total cost for the RN-BSN degree completion option is $30,640. For more detailed information, download the Tuition, Fees & Expenses Cost Calculations (PDF).

Program Cost Information - Effective July 2013
The total cost for the 3-year BSN program is $86,951. The total cost for the RN-BSN degree completion option is $29,890.For more detailed information, download the Tuition and Fees Grid Effective July 2013 (PDF).

Program Occupation Information
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code assigned to the 3-year BSN degree program and the RN-BSN degree completion option is 51.3801: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Associated Standard Occupational codes related to this CIP code, and detailed information about the occupations graduates of this program enter, can be found at these links:
29-1111 : Registered Nurses: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.00
11-9111 : Clinical Nurse Specialists: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11.9111.01
29-1111 : Acute Care Nurses: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.01
29-1111 : Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.02
29-1111 : Critical Care Nurse: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1111.03

To research additional careers of interest, you may want to visit these websites:
O*NET  (Click on “Find Occupations”)
Occupational Outlook Handbook (Type in general term for career of interest)

Accreditation & Approvals

Chamberlain College of Nursing is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, ncahlc.org. HLC is one of the six regional agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities at the institutional level. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program (which includes the RN to BSN option) and the Master of Science in Nursing degree program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202.887.6791). The Associate Degree in Nursing program at the Columbus location is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000). Accreditation provides assurance to the public and to prospective students that standards of quality have been met.

Chamberlain College of Nursing 2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor, James Monroe Building, Richmond, VA 23219, 804.225.2600. Chamberlain College of Nursing has provisional approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463, 804.367.4515. Chamberlain College of Nursing is registered with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, 6 N. Liberty, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Program availability varies by location. Chamberlain reserves the right to update information as it becomes available. Information is current at the time of posting. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. Comprehensive consumer information is available at chamberlain.edu/studentconsumerinfo.

Chamberlain College of Nursing, LLC is a part of DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), a global provider of educational services. ©2012 Chamberlain College of Nursing, LLC. All rights reserved. chamberlain.edu. AC0107.