Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree can be a smart move for nurses looking to advance their careers. However, tuition and other associated fees can be a significant barrier for many prospective students. Fortunately, several affordable online MSN programs offer top-notch education and can lead to lucrative, rewarding career paths. In this article, we’ll delve into the most affordable online MSN programs, highlighting the importance of accreditation and the structure of these programs. We’ll also take a closer look at some of the potential career paths available to MSN graduates.
How To Find a Respectable Online MSN Program
Enrolling in an online degree program can be an excellent way to advance your education and career prospects. However, it’s crucial to be careful when choosing a program, especially when looking for the most affordable options. Some online schools operate as “degree mills,” which charge fees without providing a high-quality education or having the necessary accreditation to award legitimate degrees.
These degree mills provide diplomas that hold little to no value in the job market due to their lack of recognition and credibility. Students who fall victim to these scams often find that their hard work and investment result in nothing more than a piece of paper not recognized by employers or other educational institutions.
Researching any online program thoroughly before enrolling is vital to avoid these fraudulent institutions. Be sure to read reviews and testimonials from current and former students and review the faculty and course curriculum to ensure they are legitimate and reputable. Additionally, look for accreditation from recognized bodies, such as the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which ensures that the institution meets specific standards of academic quality. While affordability is essential, it should never come at the cost of quality and credibility.
Accreditation
Employers value degrees from accredited institutions, so it’s crucial to ensure that your chosen school has been accredited by a CHEA-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), among others. Accreditation ensures that the institution meets specific academic standards and that employers and other educational institutions will respect the degree you earn. By choosing an accredited school, you can be confident that you’re investing in a quality education that will prepare you for your future career.
In addition to CHEA-recognized regional accreditation, it’s ideal if the program you attend is also approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN is a specialized accrediting body that guarantees nursing programs meet defined standards of excellence; therefore, earning a degree from an ACEN-approved program is widely recognized and valued by employers in the nursing profession.
An ACEN-approved nursing program has been rigorously evaluated and determined to provide a first-rate education that meets the requirements for professional practice. It also ensures that graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RNs) or Practical Nurses (PNs), which is necessary for obtaining a nursing license to practice.
Can I Complete an MSN Program Entirely Online?
While it is possible to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program online, most programs are available in a hybrid format. More often, there is an in-person clinical component in addition to online coursework.
The in-person clinical component is designed to give students hands-on experience working with patients in a healthcare setting. This experience is critical to developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a nurse in advanced practice roles. While the coursework for an MSN can be completed online, the clinical component requires students to work with patients in person, which can only be done partially online.
With that being said, many MSN programs are designed to be flexible and accommodate the needs of working professionals. For example, online coursework can often be completed part-time, allowing students to continue working while pursuing their degree. Some MSN programs also offer flexible scheduling options for the clinical component, allowing students to complete their clinical hours on evenings or weekends.
What You Can Do with a Master of Science in Nursing
Obtaining a Master of Science Nursing (MSN) degree can open opportunities for healthcare professionals looking to advance their nursing careers. With an MSN, nurses can specialize in anesthesia, midwifery, or primary care and take on advanced roles that offer higher salaries, increased autonomy, and greater responsibility. Not only are these careers rewarding, but they also have a 40% projected job growth in the next decade.
Nurse anesthetist
Median annual salary (May 2021): $195,610
A nurse anesthetist specializes in administering anesthesia to patients undergoing surgical procedures or other medical treatments. They often work alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, and dentists to ensure patients are comfortable and safe throughout their procedures.Their typical job duties include assessing patients’ medical histories to determine the appropriate type and dosage of anesthesia to administer, administering anesthesia through injection, inhalation, or topical application, and monitoring patients’ vital signs throughout their procedures to ensure patient safety. Post-procedure, nurse anesthetists are responsible for managing patients’ pain levels and adjusting anesthesia as needed.
Nurse anesthetists usually work in hospitals, surgical centers, and other medical facilities where surgical procedures are performed. In addition, they may work in operating rooms, emergency departments, and intensive care units.
While a career as a nurse anesthetist is often rewarding, their work environment can be fast-paced and demanding as they are responsible for ensuring the patient’s safety through serious medical procedures. In addition, they may work long hours — including nights, weekends, and holidays, and may be on-call to respond to emergencies outside of regular working hours.
Nurse midwife
Median annual salary (May 2021): $112,830
A nurse midwife specializes in providing healthcare services to women throughout their lifespans, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive health. Nurse midwives collaborate with obstetricians, gynecologists, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to women and their families.
Some job duties of a nurse midwife include conducting prenatal exams, managing labor and childbirth, and providing postpartum care to new mothers and newborns. They may also offer women gynecological exams and contraceptive counseling and diagnose and treat reproductive health conditions, such as sexually transmitted infections and menopausal systems.Nurse midwives work in hospitals, birthing centers, and other medical facilities that provide obstetric and gynecological care. Like many other healthcare professions, their work environment can be hectic and rigorous. They often work long hours and can be on-call frequently to respond to emergencies outside traditional working hours. However, many individuals in this field derive immense job satisfaction from their crucial role in ensuring the health and welfare of women and their loved ones.
Nurse practitioner
Median annual salary (May 2021): $120,680
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education and clinical training to provide healthcare services to patients. NPs work independently or collaborate with physicians to deliver patient-centered care in various healthcare settings.
Nurse practitioners typically conduct patient exams, develop and implement treatment plans, and educate and counsel patients on disease prevention. In addition, they are licensed to prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform medical procedures such as suturing wounds or removing skin lesions.The work environment of a nurse practitioner can work in a hospital or clinic setting — seeing patients on an outpatient basis — or in an inpatient setting, such as a hospital or long-term care facility, providing round-the-clock care to patients. In addition, some nurse practitioners work in specialty areas, such as mental health or women’s health, where they may work in private practice or community health centers.
Our Research
This list features some of the country’s most affordable online MSN programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the most affordable online MSN programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The 50 Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
