Master's Degrees in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A master's degree is an 18-24 month program that allows a nurse to specialize in a particular area - such as an area of advanced clinical training or research. Some students take on joint degrees in related fields like business administration, public health or hospital administration. Most people working towards an MSN already have a BSN, but there are accelerated programs for ADN nurses to earn a BSN and MSN in one shot, or for non-nursing college graduates.
Typical requirements include a BSN from an accredited nursing school, an RN license, minimum GPA and GRE scores, and some period of clinical work experience. Each school has its specific requirements, so make sure to check with them before applying.
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RN-to-MSN
This program is for RNs who have an associate degree in nursing and want to earn an MSN immediately after earning the BSN. The courses in the program are tailored to the specific needs of the student so that they receive as much advanced placement credit for their BSN as possible and so there's no overlap between their BSN and MSN courses.
Direct Entry MSN
Direct entry MSN programs, also sometimes called "graduate entry" or "master's entry" programs, are designed for non-nurses who hold bachelors' degrees in non-nursing fields. These programs give students credit for having completed their liberal arts requirements and allow them to complete an abbreviated schedule of undergraduate nursing course work before moving directly into graduate nursing coursework -- combining preparation for RN-licensure with advanced training in a master's specialty area. Direct entry MSN programs typically require three years to complete, with the first year being devoted to entry-level nursing course work and the last two years to master's-level study.
A variation of the Direct Entry MSN is the Accelerated MSN. Although the terms "Direct Entry MSN" and "Accelerated MSN" are sometimes used interchangeably, some Accelerated MSN programs may be completed in two academic years, rather than three. A 3.0 GPA is often an entrance requirement for both Direct Entry and Accelerated MSN programs.
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Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Professional certifications are specialized exams that you can take to prove your expertise in a specific field, beyond the skills required for an RN license. The exams are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Association (ANCC). The ANCC offers generalist, advanced practice and clinical specialist exams in almost 30 areas. Certifications show that the nurse has a commitment to excellence in their field, and can give them a leg up on career advancement.
Post-Master's Certificate programs are designed for nurses who already have a Master of Science degree in nursing who wish to qualify to sit for one of the certification exams or to expand into a new area of specialization.
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Post-Certificate Master's
In the past, many states allowed RN's to earn certification as nurse anesthetists (CRNA), Certified Nurse Practitioners, or Nurse-Midwife without earning a Master's degree. These requirements have generally changed, and some schools offer programs that allow these certified nurses to earn their master's degrees while earning credit for their past educational and work experience. More and more states and employers are now requiring Master's degrees to allow these certified non-master's nurses to practice. In some ways these programs are parallel to the RN-to-BSN programs, which don't qualify you for any new certifications and licenses, but which add to your professional credentials and make you more employable.
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Non-Degree Studies
Also known as "Extended Studies", or "Non-Matriculated Studies", these programs offer courses in specialty areas at the master's level, for students who are not seeking a degree.