[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you’re interested in a career change into nursing, a direct entry [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing (MSN)[/hen-ui-link] program can help facilitate the transition.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs allow students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to pivot into nursing through graduate school. While master’s programs tend to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/how-much-does-nursing-school-cost/”]cost more[/hen-ui-link] than bachelor’s programs, many nurses who hold a master’s degree [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/bsn-vs-msn/”]enjoy higher salaries[/hen-ui-link] than their colleagues with just an associate or bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Discover whether a direct entry MSN program is right for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The MSN Degree: Pros and Cons[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A master’s degree is needed to enter into advanced nursing professions in the field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing careers that require an MSN also tend to lead to more professional opportunities and higher salaries. The median salary of a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse (RN)[/hen-ui-link] — which requires a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link] degree or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-link] — was $93,600 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Meanwhile, the median salary for a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/”]nurse practitioner (NP)[/hen-ui-link] — which requires an MSN degree — was $129,210.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS projects NP jobs to grow 40% from 2024-2034; several times greater than the projection for RNs (5%), and more than 10 times higher than the national average for all occupations (3%).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an NP isn’t your only option after earning an MSN. An [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/best-paying-msn-degree-nursing-jobs/”]MSN degree can open doors[/hen-ui-link] to other nursing careers, including:[/hen-ui-text]

• Certified [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-anesthetist/how-to-become-a-crna/”]nurse anesthetist[/hen-ui-link]
• Certified [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-midwife/”]nurse-midwife[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]Clinical nurse specialist[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-administrator/”]Nurse administrator[/hen-ui-link]

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, earning an MSN is expensive.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s degree [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/how-much-does-nursing-school-cost/”]programs in nursing cost [/hen-ui-link]more than bachelor’s programs at public colleges and universities. Total costs vary depending on the institution type.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Average Tuition and Fees, BSN vs. MSN[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Institution type[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]BSN, average yearly tuition and fees [/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]MSN, average yearly tuition and fees[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Public[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Institution type”]$9,750[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”BSN, average yearly tuition and fees”]$11,320[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Private, nonprofit[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Institution type”]$38,421[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”BSN, average yearly tuition and fees”]$21,140[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Private, for-profit[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Institution type”]$15,868[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”BSN, average yearly tuition and fees”]$10,130[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It often takes longer to earn an MSN than a BSN if you already have a bachelor’s degree. An [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/absn/”]accelerated BSN (ABSN) program [/hen-ui-link]can take 16-18 months. Meanwhile, an MSN program typically takes two years to complete.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]MSN programs may also require more clinical hours than BSN programs, depending on your specialty track.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Direct Entry MSN Program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs primarily benefit students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but want to become a nurse.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Essentially, it’s a way for non-nurses to enter the field without having to restart their undergraduate studies. Not only will you have a fast track to becoming a licensed nurse, but you can also pursue many of the salary and leadership benefits of holding a graduate-level degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It’s worth noting that you’ll still need to pass the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]National Council Licensure Examination[/hen-ui-link] (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs can sometimes be completed faster than a typical master’s program. Some programs can be completed in as little as 18 months. A more traditional master’s program, however, typically takes two years to complete.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Direct Entry MSN Program Prerequisites[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The most important prerequisite for a direct entry MSN program is that you have a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited institution.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applying to an MSN program typically requires:[/hen-ui-text]

• Minimum GPA (usually above 3.0)
• Official transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Personal statement

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs often have course prerequisites, such as anatomy. However, this varies by institution, and because direct entry programs are often aimed at non-nurses they may forgo this requirement and cover it during your program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some direct entry MSN programs have an exam requirement. This may involve the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/hesi-vs-teas/”]Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)[/hen-ui-link] or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is a Direct Entry MSN Program Right for Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs are best suited for those who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject but want to pursue a career as an NP or advanced practice RN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These programs are designed to accommodate people seeking a career change through a master’s program. Coursework will help bring you up to speed on subjects necessary in your day-to-day nursing duties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The biggest barrier may be the prerequisites for acceptance into a direct entry MSN program. If you graduated from your bachelor’s program with a low GPA, a direct entry MSN program may be out of reach.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you’re contemplating a career change, you may also consider an accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program. This program is designed for people who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/accelerated-nursing-programs/”]Accelerated nursing programs[/hen-ui-link] can oftentimes be completed faster than MSN programs, but a BSN often leads to less lucrative salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accelerated BSN programs also tend to have lower barriers to entry.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A direct entry MSN program isn’t necessary if you already hold a BSN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Direct Entry MSN Program FAQs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are direct entry MSN programs hard to get into?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs can be difficult to get into, but it largely depends on the program you apply to.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s programs in general tend to be fairly selective. MSN programs often require high GPAs and letters of recommendation, and programs may even require passage of an exam like the GRE. However, this isn’t the case for all MSN programs, and there may be some with more accessible prerequisites.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can I skip the BSN degree and go straight to an MSN?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You do not need a BSN degree to pursue an MSN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Direct entry MSN programs allow students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing to pursue a master of science in nursing. You still, however, need some sort of bachelor’s degree to enter into any master’s program in the U.S.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the benefit of getting an MSN?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning an MSN opens career opportunities that are often better paying than those available with just a BSN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Those with a BSN cannot become nurse practitioners (NPs) or advanced practice nurses without first completing their MSN. These careers pay considerably more than what you’ll make as a registered nurse (RN), which does not require a master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An MSN may also increase your chances of advancing into a leadership position within nursing.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]