Benefits Of A Master’s In Nursing
Updated November 15, 2023
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Higher Education for Advanced Practice Nursing Professionals
A master's degree in nursing, or MSN, which is synonymous with becoming a nurse practitioner, provides nurses an opportunity to go into advanced practices and specialized areas of study. Because of the variety of career options available after graduation, it is critical for prospective students to identify their goals before enrolling.
Find out more about who may be a good fit for an online nurse practitioner program and get expert advice on what to consider when applying to schools.
“Many universities offer a generic MSN, but unlike an MBA, there are few benefits to gaining an MSN unless one has a specific goal in mind. ADN, BSN and MSN nurses still have to do menial tasks if they work on the floor or unit, even if a hospital provides salary differential.”
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Why Get A Master's In Nursing
The decision to get a master's degree in nursing is not always clear-cut, especially when considering finances and time commitments. The majority of programs take between 18 months and three years of full-time study. Students who want to complete their degree while working will need more time. Deciding to continue education is a big step, and prospective students should be absolutely sure about their choice before enrolling in a program. Here are some ways an MSN degree benefits nurses:
- Ability to Specialize
- MSN students take their learning to the next level by concentrating on specific topics, such as oncology, mental health, pediatrics, gerontology, or orthopedics. The ability to specialize affords graduates flexibility with their work environments, type of work, and hours.
- Autonomy in Care
- MSN graduates reap the rewards of their education status. Some states allow nurse practitioners to practice outside the supervision of a physician and prescribe medication.
- Ability to Teach
- For nurses who aspire to be in the classroom, acquiring a graduate-level nursing degree is the golden ticket. As the demand for nurses continues to grow, so does the need for qualified nursing faculty. The data supports this statement: in the 2014-15 academic year, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that 68,938 qualified nursing applicants were turned down due to a shortage of faculty and resources.
- Career Advancement
- Nurses with an MSN have access to myriad opportunities to grow their career, including managerial and leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings. Registered nurses hit a ceiling within their careers after a few years on the job, while MSNs can continue climbing the professional ladder.
- More Flexibility
- A postgraduate degree may help nurses normalize their schedules. Depending on the employer, seniority and education level may both factor in when nurses make their shift requests. Because nurses with advanced degrees generally earn more money, they may also find they are able to afford to work fewer shifts, allowing more time for friends, family and outside activities.
Finding The Right MSN Program
Selecting the right online master's in nursing program depends on one's previous experience as much as it does on their goals and time available to dedicate to their degree. Whether coming in with a nursing program background or transferring into the field from another discipline, students can find a program that fits by assessing their individual needs and future goals.
Entry-Level Master's Degrees
Students who have already completed undergraduate degrees outside of nursing typically choose this degree, which reviews foundational concepts before moving into advanced topics. Also known as an accelerated degree path, this program brings non-nursing students up to speed quickly. Students take the NCLEX-RN exam after the first year and spend the remainder of the program covering graduate-level topics.
- Degree Duration: 2-3 years.
RN TO MSN
Students with an associate-level nursing degree frequently opt for this program, which uses the first year to review coursework absent from a two-year program. It's a great choice for working nurses, as many degrees are available online in addition to traditional classroom-based programs.
- Degree Duration: Usually 2-3 years, depending on previous coursework and institutional requirements.
Baccalaureate to Master's Degree
Nurses with a baccalaureate degree follow this path, which uses undergraduate coursework as a foundation for advanced learning. Most students graduate with an MSN, although some universities offer them as Master of Nursing (MN) or Master of Science (MS) in Nursing degrees.
- Degree Duration: 18-24 months, depending on institutional requirements.
Dual Master's Degree
Nurses seeking to advance their educations while concentrating on a specific area frequently complete a dual MSN program, allowing them to pair nursing coursework with another related topic, such as public health, business, health administration, or public administration.
- Degree Duration: 2-3 years, depending on the program.
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Nursing: 10 Certifications Beyond The MSN
Even after completing a master's degree in nursing, some individuals may wish to concentrate further, building advanced clinical or managerial skills. Post-graduate certificates are popular options because they allow nurses to specialize in areas not covered in an MSN. The majority of these nursing certificates can be completed in a year or less, and are often online, allowing nursing professionals to keep working. Some of the specialized careers available for certified MSNs include:
1. Informatics Nurse
With a focus on data collection and analysis, these professionals supply healthcare information to doctors and nurses to help them make informed decisions about patient care. They may also provide training for professional development initiatives to ensure nurses know about the latest new research or updated applications.
2. Nurse Anesthetist
To become a nurse anesthetist, individuals must have two years of nursing experience before completing an MSN degree concentrated in nurse anesthesia studies. Once they have successfully completed their MSN, they must pass the certification to be able to practice. Practitioners administer anesthesia to patients undergoing invasive surgeries and often provide care in the operating room. In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nurse anesthetists earn an average of $160,250.
3. Diabetes Nurse
Nurses who want to focus on treating patients with diabetes have two options for certification: Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) and/or Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). The BC-ADM is for those wishing to help patients manage their disease, including administering and monitoring medication, addressing psychosocial issues and counseling patients on their lifestyle choices. CDEs also focus on the care of patients but may do so in an indirect capacity. The average annual pay for legal nurse consultants is $73,000.
4. Nurse Consultant
Whether working with individual doctors or facilities, nurse consultants provide expert knowledge on a variety of common nursing topics. This includes managerial practices, legal issues, specific health conditions, or community health initiatives.
5. Nurse Educator
MSN holders with an education specialization are qualified to teach nursing in community colleges, universities and teaching hospitals. Larger healthcare centers may also employ nurse educators to train nursing interns or new employees. The median salary is $77,000.
6. Nurse Administrator
Serving as a manager to nursing teams or specific facilities, nurse administrators handle organizational tasks such as hiring, training, scheduling, and professional development. This position, which offers an average pay of $90,000, typically allows those in the role to maintain a set schedule.
7. Clinical Nurse
After completing an MSN degree, individuals hoping to work in this role must complete specialized training in clinical nursing via a certification process. Once completed, they work directly with patients in clinical or hospital settings to diagnose and treat serious health conditions. The average salary for this demanding role is $67,000 per year.
8. Research Nurse
Nurses in these roles focus their talents in analysis, data collection and research to create reports on a variety of health issues and hospital services. They may work within a healthcare facility or as independent consultants, depending on career goals. Given the needed specialized knowledge, the average salary for research nurses is $90,00 per year. The BLS predicts the job will grow by up to 26 percent between 2012 and 2022.
9. Neonatal Nurse
Nurses who work in neonatal units must have advanced knowledge in pediatrics to provide care to premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Neonatal nurses earn an average of $65,000 per year, with the field projected to grow by 16 percent in the coming years.
10. Family Nurse Practitioner
These nurses work with patients throughout their entire lifespan, handling common aches and illnesses at all stages of life. Located in a clinical setting, practitioners work directly with patients to provide examinations, diagnoses, and prescribe treatments. Annual pay averages $94,407.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
A master's degree in nursing is a great option for people passionate about their work and who want to provide a higher level of care to patients. This applies to both those working in the field and those who desire a career change. While all prospective MSN candidates have to consider costs and time commitments, those changing careers have to consider physical stamina and their desired work schedule. Some of the characteristics of a good candidate for an MSN include:
- Leadership Aspirations
- An MSN degree can advance individuals into leadership positions. The skills and knowledge gained during the time in school lends itself to management positions, whether it is managing staff or leading research projects.
- Excellent Study Skills
- Similar to nursing school, MSN students take in massive amounts of information throughout their program. Upon completion, graduates are leaders in the nursing specialization they choose. This makes it imperative that they be organized and disciplined prior to enrolling in a program.
- Communication Skills
- MSN candidates must communicate with their professors and peers while in school before translating these skills to a healthcare setting. Whether interacting with doctors, patients, fellow nurses or other stakeholders, individuals in advanced nursing roles must be active listeners and excellent communicators.
- Inquisitive
- The best students and professionals are those who never stop learning. This is especially true for nursing, where new research and findings are constantly emerging and redefining best practices for care. Students with a lifelong passion for taking in new information will thrive in an MSN program and in their future careers.
- Good time Management Skills
- Managing time appropriately will serve individuals well, both as MSN students and in their career roles. Students must do significant amounts of reading, participate in discussions and complete clinical hours – sometimes while holding a job. Being able to prioritize responsibilities and manage time is a crucial component to success.
- Ethical
- Because nurses are charged with caring for patients at their most vulnerable, nurses must have a high ethical calling and an understanding of human dignity. The best MSN candidates respect autonomy and show a great awareness of collaborative care.
- Healthy Response to Stress
- More than 60 percent of nurses reported dealing with physical or mental health issues brought on by work-related stress in the last year. Because nurses are constantly put in stressful situations, developing a healthy response is imperative to avoiding burnout and staying well.
- Emotionally Stable
- Working with vulnerable individuals can be an emotional experience, and spending extended time caring for those in pain or struggling can be mentally exhausting. MSN candidates must be able to compartmentalize their work and remain emotionally healthy to provide the best care.
Expert Advice & Tips: Evaluating An MSN Degree
Nick Angelis
Is getting the degree worth it?
Explore niche markets.
Tuition reimbursement.
Stay local.
Be wary of toxic programs.
Understand the restrictions and opportunities.
Be prepared to get a new job after graduation.
Experience matters.
14 Student Scholarships for MSN Programs
Students who are able to secure funding in the form of scholarships or grants have the potential to offset their debt. While the average salary of and advanced nurse practitioner – set at $101,260 as of May 2015 according to the BLS – will help pay off any necessary loans, finding funding that doesn't need to be paid back should always be the first step. The scholarships listed below pertain directly to MSN programs.
- AAOHN Foundation Scholarships
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses awards numerous scholarships to nurses seeking advanced study in areas occupational and environmental health nurses. - American Assembly for Men in Nursing
Male nurses pursuing postgraduate nursing education are qualified to apply for this scholarship, which awards up to $1,000 to numerous students each year. - American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Scholarships by this foundation are available to first year CRNA program students, provided they have completed at least six months of coursework. - American Association of Nurse Practitioners
The AANP provides educational funds to nurses currently working in the field who wish to pursue an advanced degree to become a nurse practitioner. - Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Nurses who have been working in perioperative nursing and are seeking to further their career with advanced education can apply for numerous grants and scholarships offered by AORN. - Charlotte McGuire Education Scholarship Program
Graduate nursing students with current RN licensure who are members of the American Holistic Nurses Association can apply for this scholarship. Nurses must demonstrate a commitment to holistic practices. - Daughters of the American Revolution Nursing Scholarships
The Caroline E. Holt and Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarships award $2,000 and $2,500 to graduate nursing students with financial need. - Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Scholarship
These scholarships are offered to generic pre-licensure master's students with an undergraduate degree outside nursing, and students enrolled in an RN to BSN/MSN completion or LPN/LVN to RN program. - Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship
This program awards $5,000 to master's level nursing students attending an AACN member institution. - NADONA – Stephanie Carroll Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to graduate nursing students pursuing specializations in areas of long-term care or geriatrics. Students must write an essay about why they've chosen a nursing career. - NURSE Corps Scholarship Program
Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this program allows master's level nurses to receive funds for tuition, fees and additional educational costs by working at a NURSE Corps site after graduation. - Nurses Educational Funds Scholarship
Master's level nurses pursuing a degree at an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing program are eligible to apply for this award, provided they've completed at least 12 credits of their program. - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “New Careers in Nursing (NCIN)” Scholarships
These $10,000 scholarships are awarded by nursing schools who receive NCIN grants to assist financially unstable and underrepresented groups of students. - University of Michigan School of Nursing Graduate Scholarships
The School of Nursing at UM offers a variety of scholarships and grants to students pursuing advanced nursing studies.
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