RN-to-MSN Programs in Maine – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Want to stand out to healthcare employers in Maine who are looking to fill top nursing jobs? You may be an excellent RN, but if you only have an associate degree or a hospital diploma, chances are you won’t be one of the preferred candidates. As a graduate of one of the RN-to-MSN programs in Maine, though, employment opportunities will abound, increasing by 35 percent in just 10 years. You’ll make more money, too: Graduates of RN-to-MSN programs in Maine earn $119,810 a year. You’ll find lots more information below in this list of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Maine.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN MAINE (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Maine (Online & Campus) for 2026.1. University of Maine-Fort Kent - Fort Kent
Specialties Offered: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: The University of Maine at Fort Kent offers an RN-to-MSN program designed for registered nurses who want to advance their education without first completing a traditional BSN degree. The RN-to-MSN bridge program is for RNs who have an associate degree in nursing and a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing discipline. The program is offered full-time or part-time. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as 15 months.
This RN-to-MSN program in Maine offers two concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Students begin by completing seven undergraduate courses from the RN-to-BSN program, then transition into the MSN program. The bridge courses total 20-22 credits. Once you transition to the MSN component of the program, you will follow a 43-credit curriculum.
All students complete MSN core courses, including Epidemiology & Population Health, Advanced Research for Evidence-Based Practice, and Healthcare Policy& the Law: Implications for Quality & Safety. Once you complete the core courses, you transition to concentration-specific courses. Each specialty’s study plan includes three clinical courses with corresponding clinical practicums. Each clinical course is completed over a seven-week period and includes 180 practicum hours, which means you will accomplish a minimum of 540 clinical hours.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at the University of Maine-Fort Kent, you must have an associate degree in nursing and a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing specialty, a current, unrestricted RN license, and at least one year of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse. You are required to submit an online application, a resume, an admission essay, letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all post-secondary schools reflecting a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Maine-Fort Kent RN-to-MSN Students:
• At the University of Maine-Fort Kent, MSN clinical rotations are coordinated and supervised by the Graduate Clinical Placement Coordinator in collaboration with you and your practicum professors. While you may identify preferred clinical sites and preceptors, the Coordinator oversees and assists with placement. As a nurse educator, I like the level of involvement the Graduate Clinical Placement Coordinator and practicum professors have in ensuring you have adequate clinical placements with qualified preceptors.• The University of Maine- Fort Kent reports that graduates of the RN-to-MSN programs perform exceptionally well on national certification exams. As a nurse educator, I encourage prospective students to consider this factor when searching for a program. The pass rate matters because it indicates how well the program prepares students for their chosen advanced practice role.
• Nursing faculty at the University of Maine-Fort Kent are actively engaged in healthcare policy, professional leadership, and research at both state and national levels. Many faculty serve as board members of leading nursing associations and are published in peer-reviewed healthcare and nursing journals. As a student, you will glean from the current industry insight they bring to the classroom.
• The University of Maine- Fort Kent has a low faculty-to-student ratio in its RN-to-MSN program. By keeping the ratio low, it means you will have more individual attention from faculty who are dedicated to guiding you and promoting your success in the program and beyond.
2. University of Southern Maine - Portland
Specialties Offered: Nursing Education and Administration & Leadership
Program Details: The University of Southern Maine offers an RN-to-MSN Accelerated Graduate pathway for RNs who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The pathway lets you move from an associate-level nursing degree to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then to a Master of Science in Nursing, in one streamlined program. You can choose full-time enrollment and complete the program in as few as two years, or you can pursue your degree part-time and accomplish the degree in approximately four years. USM offers six start dates each year for the accelerated RN-to-MSN program, so you won’t have to wait long to start earning your degree.
The program offers two specialization pathways, Nursing Education and Administration & Leadership. The program is one of the best fully online RN-to-MSN programs in Maine. Through this program, you begin by completing the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In the final year of undergraduate study, you may begin taking graduate-level courses and may count up to six graduate-level courses toward both your BSN and your MSN.
Once you declare a specialty and transition to MSN coursework, you will complete an additional 36 graduate credit hours. Clinical practicum requirements are completed at healthcare facilities or educational institutions in the state where you hold an RN license, making this program an excellent option for students with jobs or other responsibilities that limit travel and/or relocation.
Admission Requirements: Prospective students seeking admission to the RN-to-MSN program at the University of Southern Maine must have an Associate Degree in Nursing and an unrestricted license to practice as an RN in the state where practicum experiences will be completed. In addition to completing an admission application, you are asked to provide transcripts from all colleges or universities you previously attended, letters of recommendation, and a curriculum vitae or resume. Your transcripts must show a minimum college GPA of 3.0 and completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C” or better.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Southern Maine RN-to-MSN Students:
• The University of Southern Maine boasts a phenomenal student support program. Once admitted to the RN-to-MSN program, you will meet with your Professional Advisor for a one-on-one degree planning session. Your advisor will support you throughout the program, from your first day until graduation, and will be your go-to person for academic counseling, career planning, and access to resources.• If you want to earn a master’s degree but are concerned about the financial commitment, representatives from the Student Financial Services at the University of Southern Maine can help. The office coordinates and recommends a broad array of financial assistance options, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
• Graduates of the RN-to-MSN program at the University of Southern Maine have excellent job placement rates after completing the program. Many graduates are employed in positions such as Chief Clinical Officer, Clinical Nurse Supervisor, Director of Nursing, and Nursing Program Coordinator, to name a few.
• The University of Southern Maine is widely recognized for its academically rigorous, high-quality RN-to-MSN program. The School of Nursing promotes excellence in patient care and prepares confident, competent nurse leaders and educators.
3. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine - Standish
Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Administration, Education, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has an RN-to-MSN program designed with working nurses in mind. The program was developed to offer both associate degree and diploma registered nurses the opportunity to advance their skills and earn a Master of Science in Nursing without first earning a BSN. The program offers six MSN concentrations, including four nurse practitioner paths and two non-clinical pathways.
This RN-to-MSN program in Maine features online coursework. However, some nurse practitioner tracks require campus visits for skills labs and simulated learning.
Once admitted, you will take four preparatory classes focused on professional writing, leadership, evidence-based practice, quality and safety, health policy, and healthcare ethics. Preparatory classes can be completed in just one semester, after which you will transition to the MSN curriculum. You can complete the MSN component in as little as two and a half years if you enroll full-time.
Each nurse practitioner pathway features a 48-credit curriculum and includes 600-720 clinical hours. The Nurse Administration program requires 45 credits and 135 practicum hours. The Nurse Education pathway requires 42 credits and 135 clinical hours.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, you must have a current, unrestricted RN license and a diploma or associate degree in nursing. You are required to submit an online graduate application, a statement of career goals, three letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, and transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. You must also complete the RN-to-MSN preparatory courses before enrolling in any MSN course.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Saint Joseph’s College of Maine RN-to-MSN Students:
• The RN-to-MSN program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is taught by experienced faculty with decades of combined experience across many specialties. Doctorally prepared faculty bring real-world insight and experience to the classroom. Because faculty remain in active practice, you will benefit from their knowledge of the most current trends and changes in nursing and patient care.• Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is known for preparing advanced practice nurses for both clinical and non-clinical roles. The school’s reputation for a high-quality nursing program means employers seek out its graduates. In fact, most graduates report being employed in their chosen specialty within just a few months of completing the program.
• Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has received national recognition for its MSN program offerings. The school has been named among The Princeton Review’s Top Online Nursing Master’s Programs.
• As a student in the RN-to-MSN program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, you will practice in one of the newest simulation labs in the state. The simulation center offers access to state-of-the-art technology and equipment and is designed to help you succeed.
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