What's the best way to reach the peak of your highest potential as a nurse? It's not about everyone else's lists and ranks. It's not about a 4.0 GPA, a luxurious campus, or ivy greenery. It's about choosing a program that puts you first! You can reach the top of your personal peak and set yourself up for success by considering the online MSN program that is best for you. So many smart and aspiring nurses choose to study online. Why, and how do you know online learning will work for you? Here are the Top 5 considerations you'll want to think about when choosing the best online MSN program.

Top Tip #1: Consider Flexibility.

Nurses are no stranger to hard work. There's the morning shift, the afternoon or evening shift, and the graveyard shift. Sometimes back-to-back shifts might be needed. Some nurses work three, 12-to-14-hour days instead of an 8-hour a day schedule. Depending on your work environment, you might have a more “regular” schedule, but many nurses are familiar with being called in on the fly, or working an adjusted schedule at least temporarily to cover for a co-worker. Health emergencies happen all the time, and whether you're an ER Nurse, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Administrator: your skills are in-demand at any hour of the day, or night.

Why consider all of this when choosing the best online MSN program for you? It's because you need flexibility if you're going to consider leveling up your education with a master's degree. Goodwin University acknowledges that our MSN students are hard workers already. You won't need to conform to our schedule. We fit into your crazy one, because we know this will make it possible for you to reach your own new heights. Goodwin University's MSN degree is:

• Offered entirely online.
• Makes it possible for you to continue working full-time while studying.
• Fast. Achieve your degree in as few as 20 months, studying part-time!

Top Tip #2: Find out what courses are available.

If you're thinking about going back to school, it's got to be because you are interested in the subject, so, it will be important to find out what courses are available in each MSN program. Ensure that you browse the MSN curriculum, and look for topics that interest you. Goodwin University's MSN program is rounded and balanced, including:

• Clinical courses like Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, as well as Pharmacology and Physical Assessment
• Policy and leadership courses like Healthcare Quality: Communication and Informatics and Policy, Politics, and Organization of Healthcare.
• Population-health focused coursework, like Clinical Applications in Population Health and Theoretical Foundations of Population Health

The best part about all of these courses, is that they are offered entirely online with no waiting lists. This is one of the beauties of achieving your MSN, online.

Thinking even further down the road, thanks to a specific passion in an area of practice? Maybe you want to become a doctor, or continue your education into a specialization. The credits that you earn from Goodwin University's MSN program online, are fully transferable.

Top Tip #3: Ask: What are the Career Opportunities?

Besides making it possible for busy nurses to tackle advanced studies, Goodwin University sees bright career outcomes in our graduates—in clinical, academic, research, technology, policy, institutional management, community and public health settings, and more. With an MSN education under your belt, you could earn a top title like one of these:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Administrator
• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Informaticist

Top Tip #4: Your journey is just beginning after graduation. Are there Career Services?

Think about it: we don't know our prospective students yet. How can we can speak with such confidence about your future, now? With the investment that you make in a University education, Goodwin invests back in you through career services. As a student, you might want to take advantage of career counseling, mock interviews, resume and cover letter writing assistance, workshops, and more. Upon graduation, we don't just let you go off into the world with your diploma in hand. We continue to support our alumni through career resources including career assessment, networking opportunities, guides and rubrics, and personalized support. Goodwin University wants to ensure that our graduates are working happily. Actually, it's our job.

Top Tip #5: Find out what your Earning Potential will be.

Speaking of jobs, let's talk cash. Armed with your MSN degree, career options, and career services at your back, you'll want to know your earning potential. We think you'll be happy to hear that advanced practice nurses like Nurse Administrators and Managers, earn $47.95 an hour, which translates to $99,730 annually — or even more in certain states! You can find the hard figures through the BLS. The best online MSN program for you, will be the one that gets you to the top of your earning potential, quickly and efficiently, and with maximum support.

What's the best MSN program for you? Only you can say. However, use these top tips to ask the right questions, do your research, and understand the benefits of online learning. Goodwin University is here to answer any questions that still linger. We hope to speak with you soon! Get in touch here.