Home Online Schools Nursing Programs (RN) RN to MSN Bridge California

Why Trust EduMed?

We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare.

Meet Our Team Editorial Values
A portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair shows him wearing a light blue collared shirt under a dark blazer. He is facing the camera with a neutral expression, set against an out-of-focus dark background.
Author: Mark Earnest
Editor: Edumed Editing Staff

Inside Online RN to MSN Programs in California

This guide covers important basics and key details about RN to MSN programs in California. Below, we profile three bridge programs that can help you earn your MSN in a shorter amount of time. We also answer questions you may be asking about RN to MSN programs, and dive into what to know once you graduate.

Jump To Section

Find Your Online Degree

  1. Take our quiz
  2. Match with schools
  3. Connect with favorites
I want my
In

Spotlighting 3 Online RN to MSN Programs in CA

Earning your MSN is one of the best ways California RNs can advance their nursing careers. Earning the degree can lead to nursing roles with more responsibility and opportunities to change care policies and outcomes. Plus, it leads to more potential salary.

There are several RN to MSN bridge programs in the state that are hybrid, which means that there are some online classes that are part of the curriculum along with on-site and on-campus education. No matter how the format works, bridge programs were established so students could take a shorter time getting a master’s degree after earning an associate or bachelor’s degree.

We researched California’s RN to MSN programs to determine some of the most popular and high-quality ones, all to help you learn what to look for during your own school search.

University of San Francisco

The bridge course for a master’s degree in nursing at USF features didactic courses that can be completed online in an asynchronous format for maximum flexibility, while the practicum work takes place in person. This makes the program ideal for those who work full-time while getting their MSN. The program aims to teach nurses about specialty care, ways to improve safety and outcomes, and coordinate clinical teams for the best care possible. Licensed nurses with associate and bachelor’s degrees will find entry pathways to the program, as will nurses with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

Duration: Two years

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: Tuition is $28,800

Admissions Requirements:

  • Have an active RN license
  • Earned an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing
  • Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Submit personal statement and recommendation letters
  • Provide transcripts
  • Complete prerequisites

Curriculum:

  • Foundations of Leadership in Healthcare
  • Quality, Improvement, and Patient Safety
  • Health Informatics
  • Health Policy, Ethics, and Advisory

FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:

West Coast University

West Coast University offers one of California’s most affordable online RN to MSN programs. Students can choose between a wide variety of specializations, including tracks to become an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, a family nurse practitioner, a nurse educator, and a psychiatric nurse. There are also specializations in nurse informatics and nursing leadership. These courses are 100% online, and there’s an option to complete practicums either online or in person. Many courses are offered asynchronously or at flexible times, so the coursework fits into a full-time nurse’s schedule. West Coast also offers mobile-friendly classes and assignments.

Duration: 20 months to 32 months

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: Tuition ranges between specialties from $21,925 to $59,870

Admissions Requirements:

  • Associate degree with 3.0 GPA or better
  • Valid RN license
  • Submit transcripts
  • Provide letter of intent

Curriculum:

  • Principles of Leadership for Healthcare
  • Pathophysiology
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care
  • Advanced Health and Physical Assessment

Western University of Health Sciences

The RN to MSN program at WUHS includes asynchronous online courses, intensive virtual seminars, and clinicals authorized at facilities in your community. MSN degrees at Western can be earned in different interest programs: administrative nurse leader, clinical nurse leader, and ambulatory care nursing. The goal of the program is to train nurses who can make a positive change in modern healthcare with a greater emphasis on quality and at facilities ranging from clinics to long-term care sites. A wide range of practice patterns, real-world skills, and specialties are part of a curriculum that is taught by facility with clinical experience.

Duration: Two to three years

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: Tuition is between $19,207 and $28,635 depending on specialty

Admissions Requirements:

  • Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Associate degree in nursing
  • Active RN license with one year of experience preferred

Curriculum:

  • Leadership and Professional Role Transition
  • Public Health and Population-Based Nursing Practice
  • Advanced Health Systems
  • Nursing Research
  • Nursing Informatics

Student FAQs: RN to MSNs in California

There are bound to be some essential questions that need answering as you research the best RN to MSN bridge program for your needs. Below we go through some of the more common questions students like you are wondering about, from specific programs to what happens after graduation day.

What are the advanced licenses I need to practice, once I earn my MSN degree in California?

You can choose between a few advanced licenses, including Nurse Anesthetist (NA), Nurse-Midwife (NMW), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Practitioner (NP), and Public Health Nurse (PHN). The California Nursing Board requires you to renew your nursing license regularly, including after you complete your RN to MSN program, so this is when these licenses come into play. The only requirement for advanced license renewal is to graduate from a program that is recognized by the board for the specific specialization to which you are applying.

What should I look for in a quality RN to MSN program in California?

While everyone might have slightly different ideas of what makes a high-quality program, accreditation, test pass rates, and career placement stats are all important to check.Programs should be approved by the California Board of Nursing as well as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Also, look at high NCLEX-RN pass rates in recent years. Finally, look at career placement stats to learn what resources the program has to help you in your job search.

Is there financial aid for students in RN to MSN programs in California?

Yes, there are plenty of financial aid resources available to you, including the loans and grants that the state of California offers students with state residency who enroll in RN to BSN programs. The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is responsible for allocating state-funded grants, scholarships, and loan repayment programs. HCAI provides these financial aid packages for those who agree to work in critically understaffed hospitals upon graduating. Along with state-funded aid, you may also be eligible for private nursing scholarships.

What are some of the new opportunities for me in the workplace when I earn an MSN?

Many programs include skills you wouldn’t have encountered in your RN programs, such as nurse supervision, healthcare management, and health ethics. Also, if you have a specialty attached to your MSN — such as informatics, education, or administration — it can make you hirable in contexts outside of a hospital or clinic, including academia or research.

Will I get a bachelor’s degree in nursing if I’m part of an MSN bridge program?

The short version of this question is simple: it depends on the program you’ve chosen. There are some colleges and universities that include the BSN degree in the entire program, so you earn that bachelor’s degree on the way to getting your MSN. Other programs do not have a BSN requirement and also don’t award BSNs. Also, check the admissions requirements with each program to learn if you need a BSN before starting it.

Career Comparison: California RNs vs. NPs

Occupation ↕ Area ↕ 10th Percentile ↕ Median ↕ 90th Percentile ↕
Registered Nurses California $83,510 $133,990 $194,240
Nurse Practitioners California $86,190 $164,050 $227,310

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Occupation ↕ Area ↕ Curr. Jobs ↕ Proj. Jobs ↕ New Jobs ↕ Growth % ↕ Avg. Ann. Openings ↕
Registered Nurses California 333,700 376,900 43,200 12.90% 23,420
Nurse Practitioners California 21,500 34,100 12,600 58.60% 2,500

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Back to top

Mark Earnest AUTHOR

Mark Earnest is from Reno, Nevada, and he loves words. He loves them so much that he’s made them his career, first as a sports, arts, and business journalist and then as a specialist in paid advertising and corporate communications. He’s also crafted words for hundreds of executives to help boost their resumes, social media content, and thought leadership. He even loves words set to really loud music, as he is the guitarist and singer for several rock bands in his hometown. SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE: Business, Health, Arts, Careers, Marketing, Communications, Technology

Read More

More Resources

A smiling woman wearing a black hat and a green shirt stands outdoors with bright yellow autumn leaves in the background.

Online LVN to BSN Programs in California: Top Schools

Mikala Lugen, BA

by: Mikala Lugen, BA

Mikala Lugen is an experienced freelance writer and journalist with over 10 years of experience writing content within general higher education – specifically allied health, nursing, and healthcare – entertainment, music, food, and holistic health industries. Mikala stays up-to-date on industry trends to ensure content is relevant and accurate. She holds a BS in Public Relations from Kent State University, furthering strengthening her ability to communicate effectively with a broad audience.

An orange stylized graduation cap with the letter "E" forms part of the design, set against a white circular background.

Online Nursing Schools in CA: Your Guide to Top Programs

Jolissa Skow

by: Jolissa Skow

Jolissa Skow is an experienced health and education writer with a passion for making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. With a background in English and journalism, she has spent over a decade crafting research-driven content that informs and empowers readers. Her work spans health, wellness, and medical education, blending clear communication with evidence-based insights. Through her experience in digital content strategy, Jolissa ensures that important health information reaches those who need it most, helping individuals make informed decisions about their well-being.

Online ABSN Programs in California: Find Your School

Amy Williams

by: Amy Williams

"As an innovative freelance writer with over five years of experience, Amy Williams has created hundreds of articles on topics such as mental health, general wellness, and education. She has a passion for creating educational content that is relatable and authentic. Amy earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Central Florida in 2018. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a secondary educator for three years. She specializes in blending her background in education with her creative writing skills to create informative and engaging content for the readers at EduMed."

Logo of EDUMED, featuring a stylized graduation cap forming the letter 'M' in a monochromatic orange, with the rest of the letters in purple on a green background.
Privacy Settings

When you visit the EduMed website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. This information may pertain to you, your preferences, or your device and is primarily used to ensure the site functions as expected and to deliver a more personalized experience. You can choose to disable certain types of cookies; however, this may affect your experience on the site and limit the services we can provide. Click on the different category headings to learn more and customize your settings. Please note that you cannot opt out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies, as these are essential for the proper functioning of the website (e.g., displaying the cookie banner, remembering your preferences, logging into your account, redirecting upon logout, etc.).
OSZAR »