RN to MSN Programs in North Carolina

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School Program Admissions

University of West Florida

Online MSN Programs Website

Campbellsville University

Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Website

George Mason University

MSN-FNP Website

Benedictine University

Master of Science in Nursing Website

George Mason University

MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website

Benedictine University

Nurse Educator MSN Website

Benedictine University

Nurse Executive Leader MSN Website
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View more online MSN programs currently taking applications.

Find Online Master of Nursing Programs in North Carolina

There are 13 Master of Science in Nursing Programs in North Carolina in our online directory, with 9 programs being CCNE accredited, and 4 programs being ACEN accredited. 69% of the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are CCNE accredited.

Registered nurses in North Carolina seeking an Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree may select from numerous accredited programs based in the state. Online programs are available from Appalachian State University, Barton College, Duke University, East Carolina University, Gardner Webb University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Queens University, University of North Carolina - Charlotte, University of North Carolina - Greensboro, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, Western Carolina University, and Winston-Salem State University.

Most of these programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program at Gardner Webb University, however, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both ACEN and CCNE accreditation ensures that the program has been certified as offering an effective and high quality education that reflects current professional standards.

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Benedictine University

Nurse Educator MSN Website

Benedictine University

Nurse Executive Leader MSN Website

Sacred Heart University

MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website

Sacred Heart University

MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website

Sacred Heart University

MSN - Nursing Education Website

Utica University

MS in Nursing Website
sponsored programs

View more online MSN programs currently taking applications.

Online MSN Programs in North Carolina

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University in Boone offers an Online Master's of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration in the Nurse Educator role. The program is only offered on a part-time basis.

Duke University

Duke University in Durham offers an Online Master of Science in Nursing degree with eight APRN majors and 3 non-clinical majors, including Nurse Practitioner, Health Informatics, Nursing and Health Care Leadership, and Nursing Education. Each major requires the completion of 11 core courses and a final clinical residency requirement. The minimum number of credit hours required for completion of the MSN degree varies by major, ranging from 42 to 49 credit hours.

Queens University

Queens University of Charlotte offers an Online MSN with concentrations in Educator, Administrator, and Clinical Nurse Leader roles. The program may be completed in two years, and is open to associate degree nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in another field.

University of North Carolina - Wilmington

University of North Carolina - Wilmington offers a Family Nurse Practitioner MSN and a Nurse Educator MSN. The majority of the FNP degree is administered online and may be completed within 2.5 years, whereas the Nurse Educator concentration is administered fully online and may be completed within one year.

Typical Curriculum for a Master's in Nursing Degree

Typical curriculum for MSN programs vary based on the specialization and track selected. Many programs prepare students for certification as a Nurse Practitioner. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, NP programs should provide theoretical and evidence-based clinical knowledge that prepare students for national certification in their anticipated area of population-focused practice. Additional courses in NP programs vary based on the desired population specialty. Family Nurse Practitioners must be prepared to care for populations across the lifespan. Coursework at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington considers Infants, Children, and Adolescents; Women's Health; and Adult Health.

Some programs prepare students to be Nurse Educators. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nurse educators must have a solid clinical background, strong communication skills, and a high level of cultural competence. Coursework at Duke University, for example, integrates core master's-level concepts in advanced clinical foundations (i.e., assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology) with education-focused courses (principles of teaching, assessment/evaluation, curriculum development, etc.). According to the program, "The advanced clinical-focused courses included in this major provide you with a strong foundation regarding what you will teach, and the education-focused courses provide an exceptional basis regarding how to teach."

All Accredited Schools with MSN Degrees in North Carolina

Duke University
Durham
  • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • The Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Duke University prepares nurses to work in illness care and management through the patient life cycle. The program can be completed mostly online with clinical classes on campus.
  • MSN - Nursing and Health Care Leadership
  • The Nursing and Health Care Leadership program at Duke University graduates nurses who are skilled in fulfilling leadership and executive roles within the health care system. The program is accredited by the CCNE and can be completed online.
  • MSN - Nursing Education
  • The Duke University Nursing Education program prepares nurses pursuing roles in staff development or nursing education. The program is accredited by the CCNE and is completed online.
  • MSN - Nursing Informatics
  • The Duke University Nursing Informatics program is for students ready to lead in the informatics role in health related services. The program is accredited by the CCNE and most course work is online.
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs
ACEN
  • MSN Family Nurse Practitioner - Hunt School of Nursing
  • Gardner-Webb University’s Family Nurse Practitioner program teaches advanced-practice nursing knowledge to manage health and illness problems of patients of all ages. This program is accredited by the ACEN.
  • MSN in Nursing Education
  • Gardner-Webb’s Nursing Education program prepares nurses pursuing roles in staff development or nursing education. The program is accredited by the ACEN.
  • MSN in Nursing Administration - Hunt School of Nursing
  • Gardner-Webb University offers nurses a Nursing Administrator program for those who desire a role as clinical systems administrators. The program is accredited by the ACEN.
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte
CCNE
  • MSN Nurse Administrator
  • Queens University of Charlotte offers a Master in Nurse Administrator program for nurses interested in becoming leaders in organizational and administrative roles. The program is accredited by the CCNE and studied online.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro
ACEN
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  • The MSN program at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro prepares nurses with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the health care system. The program offers concentrations in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and an MSN/MBA degree in Health Management.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke
CCNE
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - School of Nursing
  • The MSN program at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke prepares nurses with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the health care system. The program offers concentrations in Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Rural Case Manager.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington
CCNE
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  • The MSN program at UNCW prepares nurses with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the health care system. The program offers concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Educator (NE).
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee
CCNE
  • Master’s of Science in Nursing MS(N)
  • The MS(N) program at Western Carolina University prepares nurses with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the health care system. The program offers concentrations in Nurse Leadership, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator, and Family Nurse Practitioner.
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem
CCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse Practitioner - College of Nursing and Health
  • The Family Nurse Practitioner program at Winston-Salem State offers students the skills they need to function in health care delivery, management and education.

Licensure in North Carolina

Nurses who graduate from MSN programs that prepare Nurse Practitioners are licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by the Board of Nursing, but regulated by the Joint Subcommittee of the Medical Board and the Board of Nursing. Requirements for licensure include current RN licensure and current national certification. Nurse educators and nurse leaders may be licensed as either an APRN or RN, depending on their individual training and educational background.

NPs in North Carolina have a restricted practice environment. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, this means that state law prevents “the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires career-long supervision, delegation or team management by another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care.”

MSN, FNP Salaries in North Carolina
According to data published in May 2018 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a Nurse Practitioner in North Carolina was $104,100. This is significantly higher than the average RN salary of $64,850.

The job outlook for NPs in North Carolina continues to be robust. According to the University of North Carolina, in 2016 two out of every three health care jobs in the state were in allied health or nursing. Moreover, between 2000 and 2017 the NP workforce increased by 216% in non-rural counties and by 187% in rural counties. While the number of physicians in the state still exceeds the number of NPs, NPs are entering the workforce at a faster rate than their physician counterparts.

MSN Program Specialties


MSN Programs by State