New York RN-to-MSN Programs

New York pays nurses among the highest wages in the country. As of May 2024, RNs in the state averaged about $100,130 a year and nurse practitioners about $148,410, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An RN-to-MSN bridge is a fast way to move up. This guide covers how those programs work, what to expect when applying, and three of the state's strongest options.

Featured RN-to-MSN Programs

University of Rochester runs a blended RN-to-BS-to-MS program built for working nurses, with onsite clinicals at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Specializations include nurse practitioner, nursing education, and nurse leadership.

• Program: RN to BS to MS
• Campus: Rochester
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $1,740/credit
• Admission: Associate degree or diploma in nursing; current New York RN license; one year of experience; 3.0 GPA; statistics with a C or above
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months, depending on credits accepted
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 80.1% first-time
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $95,073 (master's), per College Scorecard

Upstate Medical University, part of the SUNY system, offers an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program, currently its only master's option for BSN-prepared RNs. The hybrid curriculum supports full- and part-time study and prepares graduates to work with patients 18 and older in clinical, leadership, education, and research roles.

• Program: Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner
• Campus: Syracuse
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $471/credit in-state; $963 out-of-state
• Admission: BSN; current New York RN license; one year of experience; 3.0 GPA; health assessment or statistics; current CPR certification
• Minimum Time Commitment: 17 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $93,964 (master's), per College Scorecard

Le Moyne College offers a 45-credit family nurse practitioner program for BSN-prepared RNs, with full- and part-time options. The Jesuit program emphasizes serving diverse, underserved, and vulnerable populations.

• Program: Family nurse practitioner
• Campus: Syracuse
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $1,025/credit
• Admission: BSN; three letters of recommendation; resume; official transcripts; personal statement; current New York RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $60,943 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

How RN-to-MSN Programs Work

An RN-to-MSN bridge lets an RN with an associate degree and clinical experience earn a BSN and MSN together, in as few as two years. The accelerated format suits nurses who want both degrees as fast as possible. Many New York programs offer full- or part-time enrollment and onsite, online, or hybrid formats.

Applying to a Program

Before applying, confirm the program offers your specialization and a format that fits how you learn. Requirements vary, but most programs expect the following. Contact the admissions department or the New York State Board of Nursing for specifics.

• ADN from an accredited program
• Active, unencumbered New York RN license
• Transcripts
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• One year of clinical experience as an RN
• 3.0 GPA or higher

Why Accreditation Matters

Every program here is accredited, and that matters for concrete reasons. Students in unaccredited programs may not qualify for federal financial aid, accredited programs typically reject transfer credits from unaccredited ones, doctoral programs often require an accredited degree, and employers prefer graduates of accredited programs. The main accreditors for RN-to-MSN programs are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bridge from RN to MSN?

Yes. Bridge programs let RNs earn an MSN in as little as two years.

How long does it take?

It depends on the pathway. A traditional route through separate degrees often takes about seven years; an RN-to-MSN bridge takes about two. Part-time study takes longer.

Is an RN-to-MSN program worth it?

That depends on your finances, schedule, and goals. The payoff can be substantial: MSN-trained nurses in New York earned an average of about $148,410 as of May 2024, per the BLS.