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Registered Nurses (RN-MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares RNs already holding an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to advance within the field by gaining experience to develop and manage patient care plans, and to advocate for best practices within the healthcare field.
The program comprises of 33 credits for RNs with a BSN and 38 credits for RNs with an ASN/ADN over the course of two (2) years of study. Designed with a comprehensive schedule of online instruction plus evidence-based quality-improvement practicum coursework.
Students who graduate from the program are also eligible to receive the California Public Health Nursing Certificate.
Asynchronous+ for Working Professionals
Our RN–MSN program is intentionally designed as an asynchronous online program with regular in-person Interactive Sessions at our San Francisco campus. These in-person Interactive Sessions complement the flexibility of online learning with benefits of face-to-face connection, collaboration and leadership development. Grounded in Jesuit values, our RN-MSN program emphasizes reflection, community, and learning with and from one another to inspire current and future nurse leaders to come together with purpose.
The USF Advantage
At USF you will be academically challenged, but you will have the needed support to succeed, including access to the University’s Writing Center and a small class/cohort size to assure engagement and one-on-one attention from highly accomplished faculty.
A USF MSN-prepared nurse is equipped to:
- Advocate for and design health promotion and risk reduction services for diverse populations, communities, and the health professional team
- Provide health education to individuals, families, or other health care providers
- Improve patient care and safety, clinical outcomes, and unit efficiency
- Reduce cost and improve standards of care with the use of evidence-based practice
- Coordinate highly functioning clinical teams.
Program Structure and Time Commitment
100% Online and Asynchronous RN-MSN program.
- Nurses with associate degrees bypass a BSN in this robust, accelerated RN to MSN program.
- Two-year program (33 units for BSNs; 38 units for ADNs)
- In-person interactive sessions at start and end of each semester
- Online, synchronous, check-in at mid-point of each semester
- 400 practicum hours, which can be completed at your place of work, or we will work with you to secure a site
- Office hours and one-on-one engagement with faculty available
Sample Courses
- Foundations of Leadership in the Healthcare Microsystem
- Quality, Improvement and Patient Safety
- Health Informatics
- Knowledge Development and Evidence-Informed Quality Improvement
- Health Policy, Ethics, and Advocacy
Degree Requirements and Program Learning Outcomes
See our catalog for degree requirements, program learning outcomes, and courses.
Estimated Costs
Please note that tuition rates and fees are subject to change and more information can be found about tuition and graduate student fees on the university tuition and fees schedule. In addition to tuition, there are fees for graduate students, including mandatory health insurance and Associate Graduate Students of USF (AGSUSF) annually.
USF Nursing Accreditation
The baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs at the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. All SONHP nursing programs are also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
State Authorization
Please check our State Authorization Status List for the states and territories from which we can enroll students in specific online degree programs.