Is an MSN Worth It in 2025? Here's What Our Grads Say

Written by NMC Marketing Team | Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

You already have your BSN and are working as an RN in the field, but you feel like you might be called to do something more. Does this sound like you? If so, then it might be time to explore the possibility of pursuing your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Nebraska Methodist College (NMC).

Introduction – The Value of an MSN Today

If you've been thinking about pursuing your MSN, now could be a great time to get the ball rolling.

Why the MSN Continues to Grow in Importance

One major reason why you should get an MSN now is the rising demand for skilled, advanced-practice nurses during the ongoing healthcare staffing crisis. With nationwide nursing shortages, the need for experienced and skilled nurses continues to grow across the board. With an advanced nursing degree, such as an MSN, you may be better prepared to help fill skilled nursing gaps while delving into niche practice areas that interest you.

How to Get Your MSN Degree

What does it take to get an MSN? While requirements and prerequisites may vary slightly from one program to the next, the basic criteria to be admitted to an MSN program include:

Having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school/program.
Meeting certain GPA requirements in a BSN program (usually 3.0 or higher).
Having a current unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license.

From there, most MSN programs consist of anywhere from 36 to 57 credit hours and are designed to be completed in about two to three years.

Pros and Cons of Getting an MSN Degree

Is getting an MSN worth it? Ultimately, there's no universal "right" or "wrong" answer to this question because it all depends on your own career goals and professional interests. To help you decide, take your time weighing both the advantages and potential drawbacks of pursuing an MSN.

Pros of Getting an MSN	Cons of Getting an MSN
Potential for career advancement and specialization.	Requires a significant time commitment. However, programs are designed for working nursing professionals to do on nights, weekends, days off, online.
Higher earning potential for some roles.	MSN programs can be rigorous and demanding.
A greater sense of autonomy and independence.	A degree alone doesn't guarantee a promotion or raise.
Opportunities for leadership and administrative roles.	Many roles for MSN-educated professionals come with a high degree of responsibility, which may be stressful for some.
A potential path away from "traditional" bedside nursing.	Getting into an MSN program can be competitive.

What Sets the MSN Apart From Other Nursing Degrees?

Compared to other nursing degrees, such as a BSN, an MSN stands out in how it prepares students for advanced practice roles with a focus on academic and clinical skills.

Academic and Clinical Focus

An MSN program expands upon the foundational skills and knowledge acquired in a BSN program, enabling nursing professionals to delve into advanced clinical areas such as pharmacology, evidence-based practice, and informatics.

BSN vs. MSN: The Next Step Forward

While a BSN can be great for building the skills needed for general practice, an MSN is often the next logical step forward for those looking to advance in their careers. Likewise, earning an MSN can even open up the opportunity to pursue a terminal nursing degree (such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice) down the road.

How the MSN Impacts Career Growth

If you’re asking yourself “Is getting an MSN worth it?” consider how the degree can open doors to leadership, higher pay, and career stability — even if it doesn’t guarantee a promotion outright.

Expanded Leadership Opportunities

MSN programs often include dedicated coursework on leadership, allowing RNs to sharpen their leadership and decision-making skills while preparing them for expanded roles in the field, such as:

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO): $148,579 annual mean salary
Clinical Director: $106,815 annual mean salary
Policy Advocate: $71,803 annual mean salary
Charge Nurse: $102,225 annual mean salary
Clinical Nurse Leader: $81,707 annual mean salary

Higher Earning Potential and Job Security

Many advanced nursing roles could also come with greater job security and higher earning potential compared to RN roles alone. For example, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the annual mean wage for a nursing educator at a medical/surgical hospital is $106,620 — compared to an annual mean wage of $93,000 for RNs.

High-level nursing leadership and administrative roles offer strong earning potential, with average annual salaries ranging from about $71,000 for policy advocates to nearly $149,000 for chief nursing officers, depending on specialization and scope of responsibility.

Influence in Shaping Healthcare Policy and Practice

Working into an advanced role with an MSN, such as nurse executive or nurse leader, also gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in healthcare policy, practice, and patient care. Each day on the job, you can enjoy the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that comes with knowing your actions have a direct and positive impact on others.

Confidence and Professional Identity

Ready to find your nursing niche and settle into it? An MSN gives you the opportunity to focus on the areas of the field that are most interesting to you.

From Practitioner to Change Agent

With an MSN, you can transform from practitioner to leader, driving change and making a real difference in the lives of patients and other healthcare professionals.

Building Authority in Interdisciplinary Teams

Through an MSN program, you can explore advanced nursing practices and cultivate essential leadership skills. These skills will not only enhance your standing among fellow nurses but also establish your authority within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Testimonials – What Our Grads Say

Wondering what it's like to be an MSN student at Nebraska Methodist College? Don't just take our word for it. Check out these quotes from real graduates that encapsulate the experience:

"The NMC Nurse Executive program gave me the tools and the confidence to apply for a Senior Director position at my current job. Two years later, I have a degree and positioned myself to get the promotion I dreamed of!" - Shelly K., recent NMC Graduate - MSN, Nurse Executive
"The online program was extremely accommodating and easy to navigate. It was designed to accommodate a work/life balance as the classes were staggered throughout the length of the program. [...] Brightspace, the online site utilized by NMC to access classes, is extremely easy to navigate and straightforward." - Dana E., recent NMC Graduate - MSN, Nursing Informatics

Is an MSN Right for You?

Is a MSN worth it? Only you can say, but there are some considerations to keep in mind that may help you reach a decision.

Questions to Ask Yourself

First, ask yourself some important questions to gauge your own readiness and commitment to an MSN program:

Am I ready to spend two to three years in school to earn my degree?
Am I committed to following a rigorous curriculum?
Is there a specific area of the nursing field that I'm interested in learning more about (such as informatics, education, or executive leadership)?
Do I have a support system in place as I navigate the transition back to school?

Financial Investment vs. Long-Term Career Payoff

When considering “Is getting an MSN worth it?” cost is a key factor — but so is the long-term return on investment through salary and career potential. While the costs of an MSN can vary greatly from one program to the next, the Education Data Initiative lists the average cost of a Master's degree between $44,640 and $71,140. While there's no denying the significant upfront costs of a Master's degree, it's also important to consider the potential long-term career payoff that may come with a higher salary in many advanced roles.

Plus, with plenty of ways to help fund an MSN, paying for school may be easier than you think.

Flexible Pathways to an MSN

At Nebraska Methodist College, we're proud to offer numerous flexible pathways for RNs interested in earning their MSNs. This includes both online and in-person degree options, as well as available concentrations in the following areas:

Nursing Informatics: $85,487 annual mean salary
Care Coordinator: $53,916 annual mean salary
Nurse Executive: $156,000 annual mean salary
Nursing Education: $88,028 annual mean salary

At Nebraska Methodist College, MSN graduates are equipped to meet the growing demand for nursing expertise beyond hospitals and health systems. Organizations and businesses that specialize in pharmaceuticals, medical device development, and healthcare technology are seeking MSN-prepared professionals to bridge clinical insight with innovation. Graduates are prepared to lead in roles such as:

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
Pharmaceutical Nurse Consultant
Medical Device Clinical Specialist
Public Health Program Manager
Healthcare Consultant
Nursing Informatics or Data Analyst

These pathways empower MSN-prepared nurses to drive progress, innovation, and advocacy across the broader healthcare landscape.

MSN Degree Opportunities at Nebraska Methodist College

Getting your MSN means having a unique opportunity to specialize, exploring your chosen niche in the nursing field. At Nebraska Methodist College, we're proud to offer a wide range of MSN concentrations to suit your needs and interests.

RN to MSN - Care Coordinator

Our on-campus RN-to-MSN Care Coordinator program is designed for nursing professionals who are ready to make a difference in the health and well-being of their communities. This program, which is designed to be completed in just 36 months, consists of 57 total credit hours with courses covering such topics as:

Population health
Health policy
Healthcare systems management
Measurement and statistical concepts

RN to MSN - Nurse Educator

Interested in being part of preparing future generations of nursing professionals for the demands and opportunities of the field? If so, then an MSN in Nurse Education may be right for you. Our 57-credit program can be completed in three years and includes coursework in such relevant areas as:

Teaching-learning principles for nursing education
Instructional methods
Curriculum and program development

RN to MSN - Nurse Executive

Ready to advance into a leadership role in nursing? If so, then an MSN program with a Nurse Executive focus may be your calling. In this 36-credit-hour program, you'll explore coursework in career-ready topics that include:

Leadership in an advanced nursing specialty role
Leading an organization
Human resource management
Financial management and economics

RN to MSN - Nursing Informatics

As healthcare facilities continue to rely more heavily on data-informed decision-making, the need for nursing informaticists continues to increase. In our 36-credit-hour MSN - Nursing Informatics program, you'll have the opportunity to explore coursework in such topics as:

Consumer health informatics
Informatics and information technology
Measurement and statistical concepts

Online MSN - Care Coordinator

In addition to our on-campus MSN programs, United Methodist College also offers MSN programs in convenient and flexible online formats, ideal for working professionals. Our MSN - Care Coordinator program is available in an online format with two start dates in January and August, with courses that can be accessed at any time of the day.

Online MSN - Nurse Educator

Our online Nurse Educator MSN program is also designed to be completed in just 24 months, offering flexibility for busy RNs with courses ranging anywhere from five to ten weeks long. This program provides students with the opportunity to build practical skills and knowledge through both practicum and projects, preparing them to sit for the NLN Certified Nurse Educator Exam.

Online MSN - Nurse Executive

Pursue your MSN - Nurse Executive degree from anywhere with our 36-month online MSN. The curriculum for this program gives busy RNs the opportunity to build skills and knowledge needed to advance into leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings while building confidence as a nursing executive. Upon completion of this program (online or in-person), students are also eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Organization for Nursing Leadership credentials.

Online MSN - Nursing Informatics

Take your MSN studies online with Nebraska Methodist College's online MSN in Nursing Informatics, a 57-credit program with convenient start dates throughout the year and asynchronous courses to mesh with your busy schedule.

Final Takeaway: Why the MSN Remains a Smart Investment

Why get an MSN? Whether you're serious about leveling up in your career or diving deeper into an area of interest, an advanced degree could help you do just that. And when you consider the fact that the net return on the average Master's degree is $83,000, it's easy to see how the up-front investment of an MSN could pay off many times over.

Ready to Get Started With Your MSN?

With so much to gain from an MSN and the flexibility to pursue your degree online or on campus, all that's left to do now is decide which MSN concentration is right for you. Learn more about any of the MSN programs available at NMC by reaching out today, or apply now to get started!

Sources

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