MSN-Ed, BSN, RN
Known as the “land of 10,000 lakes,” Minnesota has about 135,000 licensed RNs to care for its 5.7 million residents – that’s one RN for every 42 people. The gap is even wider for APRNs. Many Minnesota RNs are returning to school for APRN degrees; however, tuition costs can get pretty high.
Yes, your workplace might offer a tuition assistance program, but why stop there? Many organizations offer scholarships to registered nurses (RNs) pursuing graduate degrees. This applies to RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to go back for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Ph.D., or other nursing-related graduate degree.
If you’re an RN pursuing an advanced degree, learn about APRN salary and job outlook in Minnesota, tuition costs, and scholarships.
Becoming an APRN in Minnesota might be a great career move as employment is thriving in certain regions. For example, the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metroplex is among the Top 10 U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest number of nurse midwives. Pay can also be a driving factor as Minnesota NPs earn a higher-than-average salary of $135,000 per year – almost $10,000 more than the national average.
Nationally, APRN salaries include $126,000 for NPs, $130,000 for nurse midwives, and $213,000 for nurse anesthetists. APRN jobs in the U.S. are expected to grow 40% by 2033, which is much faster than the average growth rate of most jobs.
Not every graduate nursing degree is an APRN degree. APRNs serve in advanced clinical roles and diagnose patients. Nurse educators, administrators, informaticists, researchers, clinical nurse leaders, and public health nurses may also hold graduate nursing degrees, but are not considered APRNs. Scholarships are available to Minnesota RNs interested in these roles as well.
Minnesota may be a fairly affordable place to live compared to other U.S. states, but the cost associated with returning to school are actually higher. Minnesota tuition for graduate nursing programs can cost up to $13,000 per year at public institutions.
Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a Minnesota resident, tuition costs can be even higher. These numbers do not reflect tuition costs at private institutions. Neither does it include costs for books, uniforms, and equipment for clinical training like stethoscopes, second-hand watches, and pen lights
While these numbers can be intimidating, scholarships can cover some if not all costs of returning to school, especially if you apply for multiple ones. Keep in mind that some scholarship sponsors may require you to be a member of a nursing organization before you can apply. Fortunately, some membership dues are as low as $80 per year, and you’ll have access to other membership benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, retailer discounts, and more.
The Minnesota Board of Nursing offers APRNs one of four licenses: NP, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse anesthetist. While 70% of Minnesota APRNs hold a master’s degree, many are also earning doctoral degrees. If you’re interested in joining the team of APRNs in Minnesota (or are already in pursuit) and want to save on tuition costs, explore these 15 scholarships for Minnesota RNs.
Visit each sponsor’s website to confirm deadlines, eligibility, and monetary awards. Most scholarships are offered annually so mark your calendars!
For Minnesota RNs, advancing your career is an excellent move as the nursing industry has many areas of need. If finances are a determining factor for returning to school, consider applying for multiple scholarships. If lack of time is an issue, many nursing schools offer online, part-time programs, many of which are more affordable than traditional full-time programs.
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