A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a popular option for those looking to advance their nursing careers or specialize in a particular area of healthcare. And for most nurses, "advancing their career" doesn't mean stepping away from work to go back to school full time, it means doing both at once. Today's MSN programs, including NMC's, are built around that reality: fully online coursework, flexible short-burst course formats, and schedules designed to bend around shift work, family, and the demands of an active nursing career.
With an MSN, there are many career opportunities to explore — including Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). While both of these roles build on bedside nursing experience and require strong leadership skills, they differ in terms of responsibilities and work settings.
By understanding the differences between clinical nurse leader vs. nurse practitioner careers, you may have an easier time choosing an MSN specialty that aligns with your interests and career goals.
A clinical nurse leader is an advanced nursing professional whose work bridges the gap between bedside nursing and administrative roles.
CNLs aim to improve patient care through enhanced safety, quality and care coordination across different healthcare environments. These professionals essentially serve as systems-level generalists while still providing bedside care to patients. This kind of work can be highly rewarding for those who want to continue working directly with patients while enjoying greater clinical autonomy.
The exact responsibilities of a CNL can vary from one role to the next. However, common duties include:
CNLs commonly work in hospitals, including within emergency departments and intensive care units (ICUs). They may also work in outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities and rehabilitation centers.
CNLs need to have at least an MSN to sit for the CNL Certification Exam, which is administered by the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC). Certification must also be renewed by completing a minimum of 50 continuing education (CE) hours and logging 2,000 hours of professional practice every five years.
The good news for working nurses eyeing the CNL pathway: the MSN programs that lead to CNL eligibility are specifically designed to be completed without pausing your career. At NMC, MSN coursework is fully online and structured in manageable short-burst course sections. You're building CNL-level competency in care coordination and quality improvement while continuing to develop those same skills on the floor every day.
Like a CNL, a nurse practitioner works directly with patients. However, they generally focus on managing patient care rather than leading systems-level quality improvement initiatives.
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have the authority to diagnose illnesses, interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications.
As provider shortages continue to affect the healthcare industry, the demand for NPs as primary care providers continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and NPs is projected to grow 35% between 2024 and 2034 alone.
Common responsibilities of an NP include:
NPs are needed in a variety of healthcare settings, with many working in primary care offices, urgent care facilities, hospitals and community health centers. In some cases, NPs may even work in telehealth, providing care remotely to patients in rural or underserved communities.
NPs need a minimum of a graduate-level nursing degree to qualify for licensure and certification. While the exact licensure requirements can vary by state, NPs generally need to be APRNs. This requires holding a registered nursing license and passing an exam through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
Some NPs may pursue additional certifications in more specialized areas of practice, such as family practice or pediatrics.
For nurses currently working full time, the prospect of an NP-track MSN can feel daunting but it doesn't have to be. NP-track MSN programs like those at NMC are structured online, with coursework delivered in short, focused course sections that let you build advanced practice knowledge incrementally, around your existing schedule. Many NMC MSN graduates completed their degrees while working as staff nurses, charge nurses, and nurse managers.
Both CNL and NP pathways can be practical options if you want to advance your nursing career with an MSN. To help decide, it’s important to assess the differences between these two MSN pathways.
One of the main differences between a CNL and an NP is their overall focus:
CNLs and NPs also differ when it comes to their clinical authority:
Which of these MSN pathways is the right fit for you? Consider the following:
Whichever path resonates with you, here's what both have in common from a practical standpoint: the MSN programs that lead to either credential are designed for nurses who are already working. Online delivery, asynchronous coursework, and short-burst course modules mean you're not choosing between your career and your degree.
Still trying to decide between a CNL or NP pathway? Here are some factors to keep in mind.
Both the CNL and NP require a minimum of a master's degree. No matter which pathway you may be leaning toward, an MSN can provide the foundational leadership skills, clinical knowledge and systems perspective you need to thrive in either role.
NMC's MSN tracks deliver coursework fully online in structured, short-burst sections that fit around 12-hour shifts, charge nurse responsibilities, and real life.
Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) is proud to offer several MSN tracks to suit your interests and professional goals. Every NMC MSN program is fully online, requires no GRE, and is structured in short-burst course sections. So you can make consistent, manageable progress toward your degree without putting your nursing career on hold.
This program prepares students to become capable leaders and healthcare executives.
This program is best for:
Looking to make a difference in future generations of nurses? An MSN track in Nursing Education could be right for you.
This track is designed for:
Interested in the data and statistics side of healthcare? Our MSN in Nursing Informatics could be an excellent fit.
This track is generally best for:
Leaning toward a career as a CNL? Our MSN - Care Coordinator pathway offers dedicated coursework that builds essential skills for this role.
This program is ideal for:
Every NMC MSN track shares the same core commitment: making graduate-level nursing education accessible to nurses who are actively practicing. You shouldn't have to choose between the career you've built and the one you're working toward. NMC's online, short-burst course format is designed so you don't have to.
No matter which of these MSN specialty tracks most appeals to you, NMC’s nursing school offers options to suit your needs. From our Nurse Executive pathway to options in Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics and Care Coordination, each of our MSN specialty tracks is designed with the needs of busy nursing professionals in mind.
In addition to our graduate-level nursing programs, we're proud to offer certificate and undergraduate options — so we can meet you wherever you are.
Contact us to learn more about any of our nursing degree options or take the next step by completing an online application for admission now.