Clarion and Slippery Rock Universities offer a collaborative RN-MSN Program.  This program provides the opportunity for current RNs without their bachelor's degree to work towards a Master of Science in Nursing degree and be awarded a BSN along the way.  By combining the programs in this way, students need fewer credits than if they took the BSN and MSN programs separately. Students can become either Family Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Educators by following this combined curriculum.

Family Nurse Practitioners are most often employed in outpatient settings but, increasingly, are in demand in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other in-patient facilities as well. Many specialty pracitices, such as transplant teams and oncology, are employing nurse practitioners. The advanced education and responsibility pays off; a recent survey showed nurse practitioners earn substantially more than RN's.

Nurse Educators are in equally high demand. The nursing shortage and subsequent interest in the nursing profession means that nursing schools are trying to educate increasing numbers of students. Without adequate numbers of nursing faculty, schools cannot possibly educate the number of nurses that are needed. There are many job opportunities in nursing education programs. Hospitals are adding to their education staff, as well.

By enrolling in the RN-MSN Program fewer credits are required. The student who becomes a Family Nurse Practitioner needs 12 fewer credits.  The Nurse Educator needs 6 fewer credits.  Students enroll for completion of the BSN portion at either Clarion University or Slippery Rock University.

To discuss the application to the RN-MSN program please contact the appropriate person listed below for the university that you plan to enroll in for completion of the BSN portion of the program.