The partnership makes Seminole State among the first state or community colleges in the nation to offer a concurrent BSN/MSN program with a university.

SANFORD – Thanks to a new partnership with American Sentinel University, eligible students in the RN-to-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program at Seminole State College of Florida can now move seamlessly into the university’s MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) program to earn credits for both degrees concurrently and entirely online. The partnership makes Seminole State among the first state or community college in the nation to offer a concurrent BSN/MSN program with a university.

Through the partnership, students will complete three MSN courses through American Sentinel University while enrolled in the RN-to-BSN program at Seminole State. These three courses, Pathophysiology, Research and Pharmacology, count toward the BSN completion for the student. Students then transfer into American Sentinel University’s online master’s program to complete the remaining nine courses and graduate with their MSN. Ultimately, students in the RN-to-BSN/MSN option will complete fewer courses than students who earn these degrees separately, allowing them to save time and money.

“We’re thrilled to partner with American Sentinel University to offer our students this educational opportunity that will lead to their advancement within the nursing profession,” said Nancy Gasper, dean of nursing at Seminole State. “An MSN offers many benefits, both professionally and personally. Being able to earn the RN-to-BSN and MSN more affordably and efficiently will allow our students to start reaping those benefits sooner.”  

The RN-to-BSN/MSN option will help meet the growing need for nurses with an MSN. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions requiring an MSN will increase by more than 31% through 2026. The growth of those with an MSN and Nurse Practitioner certification will increase by 45% over the next 10 years, making it one of the fastest-growing career paths in the country. Nurses with an MSN also earn higher salaries, with a median annual income of $113,930 in 2018, according to NurseJournal.org. 

While the need for baccalaureate trained nurses remains, those who continue their education to earn the MSN have a greater variety of career options, including leadership and corporate-level positions, nursing education, and advanced practice opportunities, such as nurse practitioners or nurse midwives. Plus, MSN-prepared nurses take on more responsibility and can work with more independence than their nurse peers, with most states, including Florida, allowing nurse practitioners to diagnose patients and prescribe medication. An MSN also equips students with the knowledge and skills to make a greater impact on the nursing profession – from patient care to healthcare policies.

Still, for most nurses, Gasper, who holds an MSN and a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), says earning an advanced degree is about more than climbing the career ladder and earning bigger paychecks. “Obtaining the MSN takes hard work and comes with an immense sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction,” she says.

To learn more about the RN-to-BSN/MSN option, visit seminolestate.edu/rn-to-bsn/msn. The courses for this option will be offered starting in Spring Term 2021, which begins Jan. 11. Registration is underway. To get started, visit seminolestate.edu/apply-register.

Seminole State College of Florida, established in 1965, serves nearly 30,000 students across six sites in Central Florida. A comprehensive college, Seminole State has awarded more than 100,000 credentials, from bachelor's degrees to high school diplomas, and offers more than 200 degrees, certificates and programs designed for success. The College’s nursing program, part of the Ann Wiggins Moore Center for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals, is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and by the Florida State Board of Nursing (2014-21). For more about the College, visit seminolestate.edu, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/seminolestate and follow us on Twitter: @seminolestate.  #SSC #GoStateGoFar

American Sentinel University delivers accredited online degree programs in nursing (BSN, MSN, and DNP) and healthcare management (MBA Healthcare). Its affordable, flexible bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), of One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036. The DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) of 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326. The University is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), of 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 234-5100, www.deac.org, and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), of 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, www.hlcommission.org.