What You Can Do With a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Degree
Learn the Value of a Master’s Degree in Nursing
As a Registered Nurse (RN), you play an invaluable role in the healthcare industry. Yet, with a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) degree, you can accomplish even more. Earning an MSN can expand your nursing job opportunities by helping you gain additional skills and greater specialization. Nurses who pursue a master’s degree can also take on management roles or become certified nurse practitioners.
If you’re interested in higher nursing education, continue reading to learn about the most popular paths to earning an MSN degree. We’ll explore some exciting career opportunities you may qualify for with an advanced degree.
5 Common Master’s Degrees in Nursing
When looking into options for your MSN degree, you’ll generally find five types of Master’s in Nursing programs you can pursue:
- Direct Entry MSN – This program exists for students with a four-year bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and begins with entry-level nursing coursework.
- RN-to-MSN – Nurses with a two-year nursing degree (or diploma RN) who do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing can pursue this program to earn their MSN. The coursework takes an average of three years of full-time study.
- ADN-to-MSN – This approach is similar to an RN-to-MSN but requires an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and does not accept diploma RNs.
- BSN-to-MSN – For nurses who already have a bachelor’s degree, the BSN-to-MSN program helps them achieve their master’s degree in an average of two years. This program can also include specialization, such as a nurse practitioner program.
- Bridge RN-to-MSN – This MSN program is designed specifically for nurses with a two-year degree and a non-nursing four-year bachelor’s degree.
Master’s in Nursing Requirements
The requirements for beginning an MSN degree can vary according to a student’s background. For Direct Entry MSN students, most schools require the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A minimum GPA (usually 3.0)
- Letters of recommendation—academic and professional
- An application essay
- Current resume
- GRE scores
Many schools also require prerequisite classes. NurseJournal identifies the seven most critical prerequisites for an MSN:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Human Growth and Development
- Nutrition
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Statistics
- Abnormal Psychology
For students already registered as nurses and actively working in the medical field, the requirements typically include the following:
- A current U.S. RN license in good standing
- An Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
- A current resume
- An application essay
- Academic transcript
- Letters of recommendation
- Any awards, presentations, publications, memberships, or other work of note
How to Get a Master’s in Nursing Without A BSN
One of the most asked questions about the Master’s in Nursing Degree is whether you can get an MSN without a BSN. The answer is yes, absolutely. In fact, you can earn an MSN degree even if you earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
While a BSN program is the most common first step toward earning an MSN, it’s not a requirement. Students interested in pursuing an MSN without a BSN can do so through the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing—which requires a four-year bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and begins with entry-level nursing training.
How Much Does It Cost to Become an MSN?
The costs of earning your MSN degree vary according to the school, state, or program in which you enroll. Currently, the national average cost for an MSN program typically ranges from $35,000 to $70,000.
Scholarships, in-state benefits, and other forms of financial aid may also be available and can significantly reduce the overall cost of your master’s degree.
What Do You Learn During Your MSN Program?
MSN programs build on solid, entry-level RN training to equip students with a broad range of more specialized skills, including nursing management. While courses will vary from school to school, some of the most common MSN courses include:
- Management techniques
- Organizational leadership
- Pathopharmacology
- Information management
- Nursing science
- Healthcare policy and ethics
- Advanced biology
Master’s in Nursing Salaries
How Much Do MSN Nurses Make?
If you’re not sure whether or not you should get your Master’s in Nursing, the average MSN salary* can certainly warm you up to the idea. According to Ziprecruiter.com, the nationwide average salary* for a nurse with an MSN degree is $116,630 per year (or about $55 per hour). In California, the average salary* is even higher, at $121,459 (or about $58 per hour).
Salaries will vary state by state, and pursuing a specialty within an MSN degree (such as Nurse Practitioner or a Master’s in Nursing Administration) can increase the salary* average.
6 Master’s in Nursing Specialties
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Nursing Degree?
You’ll find numerous career opportunities available after earning your MSN degree. Master’s in Nursing jobs can range from advanced positions in anesthetics to mental health to family medicine, depending on your chosen MSN specialty.
Following are six of the most common pursuits upon earning an MSN degree.
1. Surgical Nurse Practitioner
What They Do:
The primary responsibility of a Surgical Nurse Practitioner (SNP) is the preparation of patients before surgery and immediate aftercare. SNPs may also assist the surgical teams during surgeries.
How to Become One:
Surgical Nurse Practitioners require a Master’s in Nursing degree with a focus on surgical science.
Best Matches:
Nurses who can work under pressure and time constraints and can problem-solve on their feet. This job best suits nurses with strong organizational, teamwork, and dexterity skills.
What They Make:
According to Salary.com, Surgical Nurse Practitioners make an average salary* of about $116,000 per year.
Learn More:
Click here to learn more about how to become a Surgical Nurse Practitioner.
2. Nurse Midwife
What They Do:
The primary responsibility of a Nurse Midwife is the care of women during pregnancy, during childbirth, and immediately following childbirth. Nurse Midwives often take the lead in child delivery and may work in hospital settings or at their patients’ homes.
How to Become One:
Nurse midwives require a Master’s in Nursing degree with a focus on nursing midwifery.
Best Matches:
Nurses who can work under pressure and time constraints and can problem-solve on their feet. This job best suits nurses with excellent patient-handling skills, a calming bedside manner, and a love of children.
What They Make:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Midwives make an average salary* of about $114,000 per year and have a job outlook of about 40% growth by 2031.
Learn More:
Click here to learn more about how to become a Nurse Midwife.
3. General Nurse Practitioner
What They Do:
The primary responsibility of a general nurse practitioner is to diagnose and treat sick or injured patients, usually within a hospital or clinical setting. Unlike RNs, Nurse Practitioners have the authority to prescribe medication and perform complex tests on patients.
How to Become One:
Nurse Practitioners require a Master’s in Nursing degree, experience in a hospital or clinical setting, and a successful board examination and licensing exam.
Best Matches:
Nurse Practitioner is an excellent fit for nurses familiar with patient care in a hospital setting but who desire greater responsibility and input. A Nurse Practitioner must be organized, highly ethical, patient, and able to make tough decisions under pressure.
What They Make:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Practitioners make an average salary* of about $118,000 per year and have a job outlook of about 40% growth by 2031.
Learn More:
Click here to learn more about how to become a General Nurse Practitioner.
4. Nurse Anesthetist
What They Do:
The primary responsibility of a Nurse Anesthetist is to support a hospital surgical team by administering anesthesia to patients during surgery. They are also responsible for monitoring a patient’s condition during procedures.
How to Become One:
Nurse Anesthetists require a Master’s in Nursing degree, licensure, field experience, and a successful board examination.
Best Matches:
Nurse Anesthetists must be observant, pay close attention to detail, be able to problem-solve under pressure, and observe live surgeries. The work environment is high-pressure, with long hours and unpredictable shifts.
What They Make:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists make an average salary* of about $202,000 per year and have a job outlook of about 40% growth by 2031.
Learn More:
Click here to learn more about how to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
5. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
What They Do:
The primary responsibility of a psychiatric nurse practitioner is to diagnose and treat patients who suffer from mental illnesses. Psychiatric nurses may work in a hospital, clinic, or private practice setting and can prescribe medications and perform complicated tests on patients.
How to Become One:
Psychiatric nurses require a Master’s in Nursing degree with a special emphasis on psychology and mental health. A successful state board examination is required before licensing.
Best Matches:
Psychiatric nurses work with various patients, some of whom may exhibit difficult behavior due to their mental illness. This means that psychiatric nurses must be patient, compassionate, and highly interested in psychology and mental health pharmaceuticals.
What They Make:
According to salary* information from Indeed.com, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners make an average salary* of about $137,000 per year.
Learn More:
Click here to learn more about how to become a Psychiatric Nurse.
6. Head Nurse / Director of Nursing
What They Do:
The primary responsibility of a director of nursing (or head nurse) is to oversee the nursing staff of a hospital or clinic. This includes setting schedules, settling conflicts, managing a payroll and expense budget, and training/promoting employees.
How to Become One:
Head Nurses require a Master’s in Nursing degree as well as a substantial amount of work experience as a registered nurse.
Best Matches:
A Director of Nursing is responsible for keeping a staff of nurses working efficiently and as a strong team. This requires a strong leader who is patient, assertive, and organized, with excellent communication skills.
What They Make:
According to Salary.com, the average salary* for a Director of Nursing is about $160,000 per year*.
Learn More:
Click here to learn more about how to become a Director of Nursing.
Explore a Master’s in Nursing Degree at Eagle Gate College
The value of a Master’s in Nursing degree is undeniable, with many MSN graduates earning a six-figure salary* in various specialties. More importantly, an MSN graduate can make a significant difference within their healthcare environment and lend a bigger hand in patient care.
If you’re interested in pursuing a Master’s in Nursing degree or an accelerated nursing program, Eagle Gate College can help! Contact us today for more information on how you can further your nursing career by enrolling in an advanced nursing education program.
