Online education can make an advanced degree in nursing possible. With distance learning, you can get a master of science in nursing while still working as an RN to provide with your family. However, online degree programs, especially in the nursing field, are still relatively new, so many students aren’t sure how to choose the best one. When learning about your nursing options, here are a few qualities to keep in mind so you can choose the best program:

Ranking

Online Education Database (OEDb) is one of the best sources for rankings online schools. The schools they review are all accredited, which is very important for credibility, and you’ll be able to learn more about what you can expect from your education based on factors like student to teach ration and faculty awards and honors. A school that is ranked very high on the OEDb list may not necessarily be the right school for you, since other factors do come into play, but this is a great place to start when researching schools.

Hands On Activities

Just because you’re not sitting in a traditional classroom doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get a quality hands on education. Many online programs have partnerships with hospitals and doctor’s offices across the country so you can see what you’re learning about, and in  addition to these partnerships, you education should include virtual reality learning, as well as a variety of resources. You should also have the chance to participate in chat room discussions with other students and your professors. In other words, programs that just have you reading books and taking tests aren’t among the best MSN programs available.

Communication

As an online student, email will likely be your main form of communication. The best online MSN schools have professors who are not only established in the field of nursing, but who also communicate well with students. The school itself should also also have a good communication system through email, forums, help desks, and more. You should never have to wait more than 24 to 48 hours for an answer to your question.

Student Testimonials

Almost all online schools have testimonials from past students, which praise their programs and encourage you to apply. Go a step beyond this and read reviews from past and current students on other websites, paying particular attention to the bad points they bring up along with the good points about the school. If possible, ask students some questions about the program and find out how helpful the school was in their lives after graduation. Are there job resources, alumni networking options, and other ways for you to stay connected with your alma mater?

Financial Aid

Lastly, look at the school’s financial aid opportunities. The cheapest school isn’t always the best school, but if your MSN is expensive, you should consider finding an online school that has both scholarships and grants for its students. Along with loan repayment programs and outside assistance, this financial aid can make it possible for you to get your degree when it otherwise would have been too expensive.

While a bachelors or associates degree in nursing is perfect for many entry level positions, advancement in the field often requires further education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Nurses with an MSN degree will have intricate knowledge of the healthcare field, and be able to use their expertise to treat patients in a variety of medical situations. Below you will find an extensive list of schools offering accredited MSN degrees.

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BSN to MSN (General) MSN in Leadership & Mgmt MSN in Nursing Informatics MSN in Nurse Education	Walden University — The Walden University online MSN degree is offered in two tracks. The BSN track is reserved for Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the RN Track is for Registered Nurses with a hospital diploma, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Bachelor's degree other than Nursing. Walden also offers many other specialized MSN degrees.
MSN in Midwifery/Women's Health MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner	Georgetown University — Georgetown University offers two Masters of Science in Nursing degrees through online programs: Family Nurse Practitioner and Midwifery/Women's Health. These degree programs are accredited and available onsite too, but the online programs have the added benefits of cutting many of the costs associated with campus programs. Assignments can be completed at home, school, the library, or even on the go.
BSN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administrator MSN in Nurse Educator	Kaplan University — Kaplan University offers two Master's in Nursing degrees in additional to its general BSN to MSN program. The Masters in Nursing Administration is designed for students interested in management roles, while the Nurse Educator Masters program is focused on training future nurse educators. Both of these degree options are provided in an online format.
MSN in Clinical Nursing MSN in Nursing Education MSN in Patient Care	Sacred Heart University — For nurses that hold an associate degree in nursing or diploma looking for an accelerated MS in clinical nursing leadership, this is the perfect course. The course's upper division classes satisfy both the undergraduate and graduate level requirements. Degrees are also offered in nursing education and patient care services.
BSN to MSN MSN in Health Education MSN in Informatics MSN in Health Administration MSN in Healthcare Mgmt	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix Master of Science in Nursing program provides an advanced study of nursing for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree. Courses including Concepts of Family Nursing Theory and Population-focused Health Care give students the tools necessary to become future health care leaders. Program specializations are offered in health education, health administration, healthcare management, and medical informatics.
Dual Degree: MBA & MSN MSN in Nursing Education MSN in Nursing Leadership	Grand Canyon University — The Grand Canyon University Master of Science in Nursing program offers a variety of degree options to advance the skill set of the nurse practitioner. The program offers degrees in Nursing Education, and Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems. For the business-minded nurse, GCU also offers a dual MBA & MSN degree.
MS in Nursing MSN in Case Management MSN in Informatics MSN in Leadership	American Sentinel University — The Master in Nursing degree from American Sentinel University comes in several specializations, including case management, health informatics, infection prevention, and nursing leadership. Actively licensed registered nurses are eligible to enroll in these programs, and completion requires 36 graduate credit-hours plus any additional uncompleted undergrad credits (usually no more than 21).
MSN in Adult Acute Care MSN in Adult Psychiatric Care MSN in Clinical Trials MSN in Nurse Leadership	Drexel University — The online MSN program from Drexel is regarded as one of the nation's top online nursing schools. Founded in 1864, the Drexel Nursing School offers a variety of online Masters in Nursing specializations, including Adult Acute Care, Nurse Leadership, Clinical Trials Research, and Adult Psychiatric Mental Health.
MSN in Adult Nursing MSN in CNS/Nurse Educator More...	University of Cincinnati — The University of Cincinnati Master of Science in Nursing program couples nursing theory and related sciences as a basis for teaching advanced nursing methods that enhance the health care practice. Students will participate in both course work and actual health care settings. The Master of Science in Nursing program is offered both part-time or full-time, in class or online.
MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader	St. Xavier University — St. Xavier University offers an online MS in Nursing degree program that offers a specialization in Clinical Nurse Leadership. Accredited and approved by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), this degree program is designed to teach the skills required to be able to balance the responsibilities of patient care with the need to coordinate with doctors, pharmacists, social workers, and other nurses.
MS in Nursing	Chamberlain College of Nursing — Students in the Chamberlain College of Nursing MSN degree program rave over the curriculum's variety and co-curricular learning. The curriculum includes courses in nursing theory, research, leadership, professional role development and informatics in health care. A 100 hour practicum is also required.
MSN in Nurse Educator MSN in Nurse Educator Bridge	Capella University — The MSN - Nurse Education degree program at Capella University is designed to teach advanced knowledge of nursing theory and practice, including the implementation of nurse education programs. For those students with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, the Nurse Educator Bridge track specialization allows for the completion of an MSN degree.
MS in Nursing MSN in Health Leadership MSN in Nurse Education	Gonzaga University — The RN to MSN degree program is one of three MS in nursing degrees offered online through Gonzaga University. The other two are the MSN in health leadership and the MSN in nurse education. All of these are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and offer a rolling admissions calendar, for easy student access to learning.
MS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Adult Health MSN in Nurse Education	South University — Designed to train nurses on the rapidly advancing body of knowledge in the nursing field, the online nursing programs from South University provide students with the skills necessary to teach tomorrow's health care professionals. In addition to their general MSN degree and accelerated RN to MSN track, South University also offers specializations in adult health nurse practice and nursing education.
MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Lewis University — Lewis University's MSN programs in nurse administration and nurse education require the completion of 42 credit hours. Offered in a convenient, online format, these specializations require no residency requirements. Courses include Strategic Directions in Healthcare and Human Diversity and Social Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing.
MS in Nursing	Benedictine University — Featuring an innovative curriculum that combines eight core courses with the flexibility of four additional electives to comprise an area of focus, the Benedictine University Master of Science in Nursing program is an leader in nursing education. Students can choose from specializing in Public Health, Health Education, Administration, Leadership, Disaster Management, or Health Policy.
MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nursing Educator	Norwich University — Norwich offers two specialized Master of Science in nursing degree programs: the nursing administration specialization prepares nurses for administrative careers within the healthcare industry; the nursing educator specialization prepares nurses for academic positions and teaching roles to help educate the next generation of nurses.
MSN/MPH Dual Degree PhD in Nursing Clinical Nursing Certificate	University of Massachusetts — For students looking to earn their degree in a fast, flexible, and convenient way, University of Massachusetts has recently included several Masters in Nursing degrees to their course catalog. Students are able to complete course material at a pace comfortable for them in an environment of their choosing. UoM offers accredited online programs for MSN/MPH Dual Degree, PhD in Nursing, and Clinical Nursing Certificate.
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