• Choose the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) if you’re an RN looking to hone your leadership and practical skills and gain a credential that sets you apart in the eyes of employers. A BSN also serves as a bridge to an advanced nursing degree.

• Choose the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) if you aspire to seek certification as a nurse practitioner (NP) or if you want to pursue a career in a specialty area such as teaching, executive leadership, or nursing informatics.

• Choose the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) if you want to strengthen your advanced nursing practice, augment healthcare delivery, and improve patient outcomes.

• Choose the PhD in Nursing if you want to help shape the future of healthcare as a nurse researcher, educator, or policy maker.

There’s a path to success for every level in your nursing career at Walden. Once you’ve identified which degree you ultimately want, you can determine which path fits you best.

• RN to BSN: Choose this track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and want to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

• RN-BSN-Accelerate Into Master’s: Choose this track in the bachelor’s program if you want to take some master’s-level courses as an undergraduate. These credits will transfer to your MSN program once you complete your BSN.

• BSN to MSN: Choose this track if you are an RN entering the MSN program and have already earned your BSN degree.

• RN to MSN: Choose this track if you are an RN entering the MSN program with a hospital diploma or an associate degree in nursing.

• DNP to PhD: Choose the Bridge Option if you have a DNP and want to get a PhD in Nursing.

Answering this question starts with knowing which patient populations you want to work with, where you prefer to work, and what role you want to play within the healthcare system. Registered nurses who want to continue to work directly with patients may decide to seek certification as a nurse practitioner (NP). Nurses who aspire to teach other nurses or seek executive-level roles can pursue a specialty practice degree in areas such as education, leadership, or informatics.

A practicum gives students valuable practical experience by allowing them to apply their new knowledge and skills in real-life situations and settings. Although students are responsible for initiating their search for a field site based on their geographic preferences, Walden offers a dedicated support staff—including student success advising and practicum coordinators—to assist students.

Admissions requirements for online nursing degree programs typically include the submission of a completed online application and transcripts from other institutions. However, there may be additional requirements depending on the academic program you choose. At Walden, only registered nurses may apply to our online nursing degree programs.