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Registered nurses interested in improving their education, career opportunities, and salary often decide to complete MSN programs.
In North Carolina, there are several state’s RN to MSN programs available for nurses with ADN or BSN degree.
Some schools offer on-campus and online programs suitable for working nurses.
Keep reading to find all relevant information on RN to MSN programs in the state of North Carolina.
Table of Contents
RN to MSN Admissions Requirements in North Carolina
Some programs in North Carolina only accept the most qualified students.
Aspiring MSN students need to meet several criteria to be admitted.
Those include having an ADN or BSN degree, and the program determines which one is appropriate.
Next, students need to have a GPA of a minimum of 3.0 on all undergraduate courses.
Additionally, students need to have at least one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse and to hold an unencumbered North Carolina registered nurse license.
RN to MSN Courses
Nurses who hold ADN degree, first need to complete bridge courses.
Next, every MSN program consists of core nursing courses and specialty courses.
In North Carolina, there are several specializations available for nursing students.
The most common are Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Administrator.
Nurses with a BSN degree can only complete the MSN part of the program, and all MSN students have to complete a certain set of clinical hours.
The common courses at MSN programs include courses such as Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, Conceptual Bases of Professional Nursing Practice, Community Health Nursing for the Public’s Health, etc.
It average time students need to complete MSN programs is from two to five years.
The program length depends on the required credits for program completion, student status (full-time, part-time), program type (online, on-campus), etc.
Online programs
Online education is suitable for students who prefer a flexible environment and studying at their own pace.
The programs are convenient for working nurses and often cost less than traditional campus programs.
For example, the University of North Carolina in Charlotte has a fully online program.
It is designed for students wanting an accelerated MSN path.
The program has several specialties, including Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, or Community/Public Health.
The Costs
MSN nursing programs cost similarly to other undergraduate nursing programs.
Other than program tuition, students need to pay for books, course fees, and other materials.
For example, the MSN-Nurse Anesthesia program at Western Carolina University costs around $57.506 for North Carolina residents.
The figure includes all fees and expenses.
Also, qualified students can apply for grants, scholarships, and other financial aids.
Schools in North Carolina
In North Carolina, there are excellent and high-quality nursing programs, and you will probably have a chance to find the one that meets your needs.
For example, you can attend the on-campus MSN program at Gardner-Webb University.
There are comprehensive nursing programs in Chapel Hill, Pembrook, and Charlotte.
Additionally, nurses can apply for the MSN program at Western Carolina University.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb University | 110 S. Main St., P.O. Box 997 Boiling Springs, NC 28017 |
| University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill | Carrington Hall, S Columbia St Chapel Hill, NC 27599 |
| University of North Carolina - Charlotte | 9201 University City Blvd Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 |
| University of North Carolina - Pembroke | 1 University Drive Pembroke, NC 28372-1510 |
| Western Carolina University | 1 University Way Cullowhee, NC 28723 |
Salary
A registered nurse level 2 in North Carolina earns averagely $72,490 per year.
However, the starting salary depends on factors such as education, employer, years of professional experience, education, etc.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $74,430 |
| Raleigh | $72,900 |
| Greensboro | $72,610 |
| Durham | $72,490 |
| Winston Salem | $72,790 |
| Fayetteville | $69,720 |
| Cary | $72,900 |
| High Point | $73,050 |
| Wilmington | $69,291 |
| Asheville | $69,787 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 500 | $113,610 | $54.62 | $140,440 | $96,550 |
| Burlington, NC | 100 | $109,030 | $52.42 | $126,720 | $85,080 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,770 | $111,510 | $53.61 | $136,490 | $96,140 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,260 | $121,760 | $58.54 | $134,630 | $107,260 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 200 | $111,780 | $53.74 | $135,910 | $96,660 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 60 | $98,330 | $47.27 | $131,030 | $80,000 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 420 | $112,750 | $54.21 | $129,950 | $97,710 |
| Greenville, NC | 140 | $112,120 | $53.9 | $136,490 | $86,630 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 280 | $109,320 | $52.56 | $137,470 | $79,450 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 60 | $115,710 | $55.63 | $148,260 | $87,650 |
| New Bern, NC | 70 | $102,410 | $49.24 | $125,840 | $78,590 |
| Raleigh, NC | 1,100 | $117,800 | $56.63 | $137,830 | $98,500 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 40 | $102,270 | $49.17 | $127,740 | $83,620 |
| Wilmington, NC | 270 | $107,030 | $51.46 | $123,640 | $82,800 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 610 | $122,670 | $58.98 | $157,650 | $99,510 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
RN to MSN Programs by State