RN to MSN Programs in North Carolina

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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.

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

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.