To work as a nurse, you don’t need more than a short education with a nursing program to become an LPN. Even becoming a registered nurse (RN) requires just a short amount of training as compared to most careers in the medical world. However, going on to get an advanced degree means that you’ll be qualified for higher-level jobs, managements positions, teaching jobs, and more. Getting a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) typically takes four to five years, and getting a master of science in nursing (MSN) takes an additional two or three years. However, with BSN to MSN programs, you can cut time off of your education while still learning all the skills you need for your nursing career.

Although BSN to MSN programs are typically shorter than getting your BSN and MSN separately, these programs can still be expensive. One of the best ways to pay for your nursing education is with grants. Like scholarships, grants do not have to be repaid, making them great options for funding any kind of education. Because of the nursing shortage in the United States, there is a high number of grants available for nurses, especially those interested in furthering their education after working in this field.

You should start your search for grants with the government. The Federal Pell Grant program is guaranteed money for anyone who meets the financial requirements. This grant can be used to fund your BSN education, and from there, you can look to other government programs for MSN college grants. The United States Department of Health has a number of funds set up to help nurses get their master’s degree and other advanced training.

In addition, a number of private organization also provide grants for nurses who want to further their education. Some of these private organizations include the following groups:

• National League of Nursing
• National Student Nurses’ Association
• American Academy of Nursing

These aren’t by far the only organizations that have grant money available, and a number have scholarships as well. You can also look to general medical organizations that offer grants to anyone studying in any health-related field, and there are also organizations that provide grants to students regardless of field of study, so you can apply whether you’re pursing a degree in nursing or engineering or art (or anything in between).

Grants may also be available directly from your program. Many BSN to MSN college programs have opportunities for their students based on both need and on the research you intend to do while in school and after you graduate. With grants, you often have to have a clear plan for how you will use the money and a detailed explanations as to why you need the grant. Although grants applications can be difficult, they can make it possible not just to get an education, but to do more while in college, since you won’t have to worry about money.

Nurses with bachelor's degrees often times desire more schooling so they can engage in their specific areas of interest and make position and salary advancements in their careers. Many universities offer BSN to MSN tracks that are designed with these students in mind, enabling them to quickly earn a Master of Science degree in nursing.

Top Online BSN to MSN College Programs

MSN - Adult Nursing MSN - CNS/Nurse Educator More...	University of Cincinnati — The University of Cincinnati offers online BSN to MSN programs with numerous specializations, including adult nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, nurse midwifery, psychiatric nursing, and women's health specialist. Students of these programs are required first to be registered nurses holding BSN degrees.
BSN to MSN MSN - Health Education MSN - Informatics MSN - Health Administration MSN - Healthcare Mgmt	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix is America's largest accredited online university. Their School of Nursing offers several different master's in nursing degree, including degree programs with concentrations in healthcare education, health informatics, healthcare administration, and healthcare management. These graduate-level programs of study are available to all registered nurses (RNs) who have completed their bachelor's degree and have a minimum of three years working experience.
BSN to MSN	Liberty University — Liberty offers an online BSN to MSN program that will train a current registered nurse for a career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Being the world's largest evangelical Christian university, Liberty integrates the Christian faith and values into all of its teachings.
MSN - Adult Acute Care MSN - Adult Psychiatric Care MSN - Clinical Trials MSN - Nurse Leadership	Drexel University — Drexel University offers several BSN to MSN degrees in advanced nursing specialties, including adult acute care, adult psychiatric care, nurse clinical trials, and nursing leadership. Though its campus is headquartered in Philadelphia, the Drexel University Online program allows students to access coursework and make progress toward degrees from anywhere in the world.
MSN - Education MSN - Administration	Norwich University — Norwich offers two graduate-level nursing degrees, both accredited by the CCNE. Their MSN in nursing education prepares students for careers in contemporary healthcare leadership and education positions; their MSN in nursing administration prepares students for managerial/supervisory positions within the nursing profession.
BSN to MSN (General) MSN - Leadership & Mgmt MSN - Nursing Informatics MSN - Nurse Education	Walden University — In addition to its general BSN to MSN track, Walden offers a specialty MSN degree programs in leadership & management, nursing informatics, and nurse education. Available to RNs with a BSN, ADN, or nursing diploma, Walden's MSN programs are designed to prepare current nurses for new opportunities in their field by giving them the tools and skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
MSN - Nurse Educator MSN - Nurse Educator Bridge	Capella University — Capella offers two Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree programs, both in nursing education. The basic MSN - nurse education program is suited for students who already hold a BSN degree. For those who do not currently hold a BSN, but rather a bachelor's degree in a different subject, Capella also offers an MSN - nurse education bridge program, which covers the basic baccalaureate-level coursework from a BSN program. Each program will prepare students for successful careers as nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders.
BSN to MSN MSN - Nurse Administrator MSN - Nurse Educator	Kaplan University — The Kaplan School of Nursing offers a variety of graduate degree programs for registered nurses looking to advance their careers into special areas of interest. In addition to their general RN to MSN program, Kaplan also offers master's degrees with concentrations in nurse administration and nurse education. Kaplan also offers a forensic nursing certificate.
BSN to MSN	Chamberlain College of Nursing — With Chamberlain's BSN to MSN track, current registered nurses can take the next step in their healthcare career. Holders of an MSN degree become leaders in their nursing communities by studying key areas of nursing leadership and learning valuable skillsets.
Dual Degree: MBA & MSN MSN - Nursing Education MSN - Nursing Leadership	Grand Canyon University — A highly-rated Christian school based in Arizona, Grand Canyon University's School of Nursing offers multiple master's degree-level nursing programs, including a dual MSN and MBA degree for business-oriented students and MSN degrees with concentrations in nursing education and nursing leadership.
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