For those who already have a bachelor’s degree and an unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license, an MSN could open the door to all kinds of exciting opportunities.
If you've been considering an MSN as the next step in your professional journey, you're not alone. According to a study by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), MSN enrollment grew by 129.1% between 2012 and 2021 alone, demonstrating the degree’s popularity.
One of the main reasons so many nurses are enrolling in MSN programs is that there's an increasing demand for advanced practice nurses across the field. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that the demand for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners (NP) is projected to grow by 40% between 2023 and 2033.
Many nurses are enrolling in MSN programs to expand their careers beyond the "traditional" bedside responsibilities. For instance, MSN-educated nurses can gain qualifications needed for more advanced roles in nursing education, nursing informatics, and leadership.
So, what exactly can you do with an MSN? While a degree alone doesn't guarantee you'll land a specific job in the field, many MSN-educated nurses move on to roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders, nurse educators, nursing executives, and public health nurses.
Earning your MSN could help prepare you to become an NP, where you may specialize in primary or acute care. Put simply, NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who can provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosis and illness management. To become a nurse practitioner, you will need to have an MSN and pass a certification exam, such as one through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANPCB).
If you're interested in leadership opportunities, you might consider pursuing a role as a clinical nurse leader after completing your MSN. These professionals are responsible for coordinating care and working to improve patient outcomes within a healthcare facility or nursing department, drawing upon evidence-based practice to yield results.
Many MSN-prepared nurses go on to become nurse educators, providing valuable training to other healthcare professionals. These educators may be employed in university or hospital settings, working to ensure that nursing professionals are up-to-date on the latest care practices.
After gaining some experience in nursing leadership, you might look into nurse administrator or executive roles. In these types of positions, you'll do more behind-the-scenes work, overseeing entire nursing teams to ensure quality patient care. These professionals are also responsible for some administrative tasks, such as managing budgets and maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations.
Another career path to consider with an MSN degree is public health or policy nursing. By working as a public health nurse, you'll make a real difference as you protect communities and ensure local populations receive quality care. You might also get to help develop and advocate for new healthcare policies.
Completing an MSN program is not only an investment of your time but also your hard-earned money. Fortunately, these investments can offer many benefits upon graduation, from an increased MSN nurse salary to greater stability.
Compared to BSN-educated nurses, graduates with an MSN degree tend to enjoy a higher MSN nurse salary. For example, the BLS lists the median wage for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists as $132,050 in 2024. By comparison, the median salary for an RN in 2024 was $93,600.
In addition to higher earning potential, MSN-educated nurses may also enjoy a higher degree of job stability in today's competitive market. This is especially true when you consider the high demand for advanced practice nurses.
Today, many high-demand nursing roles require applicants to have a minimum of an MSN. This is often the case for nurse leadership, educator, and administrator roles — which means earning your MSN could set you up for new career opportunities.
Along with higher earning potential and better job security, having your MSN could give you a greater sense of freedom as you continue your nursing career path.
Many schools offer MSN programs with specializations or concentrations that let you focus your studies on a certain area. Students can choose a specialty that best aligns with their own interests and goals, whether that’s nurse education, informatics or some other concentration.
Having an MSN can open up opportunities to work in a wide range of settings. For example, you might pursue a nurse educator role within a nursing school, or you might become a telehealth nurse. Regardless of which direction you choose, being MSN-educated can help you enjoy a change of scenery while putting your skills to good use.
In advanced nursing roles that require an MSN, you may have the opportunity to collaborate with others, including multidisciplinary teams. This can be extremely rewarding, especially for those who enjoy working as part of a team. For those who prefer working independently, there are also MSN roles that prioritize individual responsibilities.
Have you dreamed of becoming an inspirational nursing leader? Earning your MSN could help make that dream a reality.
With an MSN education, you can work your way into leadership roles where you may have greater influence in your field. This sets you up to become an advocate for patients, fellow nurses, and entire communities.
Many nursing leaders are tasked with leading quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives that can make a real difference in patient care, patient outcomes, and even nursing job satisfaction. Thus, you can leave a positive mark on the healthcare industry while putting your own knowledge and expertise to work.
MSN-educated nurses can go on to work in public health, policy, and advocacy roles, where they lobby for changes designed to improve health outcomes. Some nursing leaders may focus on enacting changes within their own workplaces, while others advocate for new government policies.
Still debating whether an MSN is right for you? If you're ready to advance in your career while enjoying the satisfaction of making a lifelong impact on the field, then you may be suited for an MSN program.
While pursuing your MSN, you'll get to deepen your clinical expertise, build upon existing skills, and develop new skills to make a positive difference in the lives of your patients. This can be extremely rewarding, especially when you're able to personally witness the impact your expertise has on others.
Having an MSN prepares you to serve as an effective mentor or role model to other nurses who are just starting their professional journeys. By taking another nurse under your wing, you can help them learn, grow, and thrive in the field.
Last but not least, an MSN empowers you to shape your career any way you see fit. As you advance in the industry, your interests will also grow — and having an MSN gives you the freedom and flexibility to pursue different roles in the field.
Not sure where to begin when choosing an MSN program? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
As you research MSN programs, look for options that are accredited by a reputable third party, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). From there, make sure any program you're considering offers the specialty track(s) that most interest you — along with courses taught by faculty members who have proven experience in the field.
If you plan to pursue your MSN while working part- or full-time, make sure your program offers plenty of flexibility to accommodate your busy schedule. This may include online classes or even a 100% online program that's designed with working professionals in mind.
The right MSN program will offer clinical placement support, as well as dedicated career services to help you explore new opportunities as you near your graduation date.
Whether you're interested in breaking into nursing education, informatics, or another advanced nursing role, the right degree program can make all the difference in setting you up for long-term success. At Nebraska Methodist College, we're thrilled to offer a number of MSN programs to suit your needs, including flexible online program options to accommodate your busy schedule. Specific program offerings include:
Learn more about any of our nursing programs by reaching out today — or take the next step by applying!
Sources
https://www.methodistcollege.edu/nursing/nurse-educator
https://www.methodistcollege.edu/nursing/nurse-executive
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https://www.methodistcollege.edu/nursing/care-coordinator
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https://www.aacnnursing.org/cnl
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
https://blog.methodistcollege.edu/what-is-a-nurse-executive-and-how-to-become-one
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
https://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/
https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation
https://storage.aanp.org/www/documents/no-index/research/MSN_Research_Brief.pdf