Nursing is a wonderful choice for those who want to make a difference in people’s lives, as well as enjoy job security and upward mobility in their career. There are many different master’s degrees in Nursing that can lead to fulfilling (and high-paying!) advanced practice nursing careers. For example, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives – who work mainly in physician’s offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers – can look forward to a 45 percent growth outlook and an average salary of $117,670 annually.
The type of master’s degree in Nursing you pursue is a self-directed choice that should be made with your career interests in mind. That might be working with children, women, mental health patients, addicted populations, in the cardiac or respiratory specialties, or the general public, to name a few. There are many types of master’s degrees in Nursing that offer specific qualifications to arrive at your unique contribution to the nursing field.
Why Pursue a Master’s Degree in Nursing?
A Master’s in Nursing (MSN) allows you to specialize your skillsets and advance your nursing career beyond the RN title. There is greater responsibilities with an MSN and, in turn, greater earning potential. A graduate degree in Nursing, like the MSN, can open doors to jobs in nursing administration, clinical nurse leadership, health policy, and more.
Why is reaching for an advanced nursing career a smart plan today? Well, the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed the way that America works. Between February and April 2020, the country experienced a recession, which is still playing out in the workforce. For example, the brick-and-mortar retail industry is declining and losing employment in part due to sustained online shopping trends. On the other hand, work-from-home measures implemented in 2020 have become integrated into many industries, and computer technical support, infrastructure, and IT security have increased their demand for workers. Not surprisingly, though, healthcare has remained the most remarkable industry in its continued strength and growth. Total employment in America is projected to grow by 7.7 percent between 2020-30. Meanwhile, healthcare employment is projected to grow by 16 percent, or more than double the national average, between 2020-30. Skilled nurse leaders are needed to manage and steer this growing industry.
Different Types of Master’s Degrees in Nursing
Start by exploring the advanced nursing degrees at Goodwin University and beyond. You can create a valuable advanced nursing career with specialized MSN coursework. Examples of the different master’s degrees in Nursing include:
- Master’s in Nursing (MSN) in Population Health
- A leadership or administration-focused MSN
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) APRN degree
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) APRN degree
You’ll need to prove that you understand basic nursing knowledge and processes first. A bachelor’s of science in Nursing (BSN) is required prior to most MSN programs. While a BSN is usually obtained from a four-year nursing program, alternative starting points can be very beneficial, saving you time and money. For instance, an associate degree in Nursing can lead to an RN license and help nurses later attain their BSN on a fast-track of two years, depending on experience level and transferable credits. Goodwin University’s online RN-to-BSN program can be completed in 16 months while studying part-time and offers a fantastic gateway to MSN opportunities.
With your BSN in hand, you can consider these MSN programs:
- MSN in Population Health
Goodwin University’s MSN is population health, social justice, and leadership-focused. It is designed to empower students to pursue causes like ensuring access to and quality care for all populations. Additionally, this MSN program is entirely online. We know that nurses are busy enough! It shouldn’t be complicated to pursue a master’s degree; therefore, we opt for convenience and flexibility for our nursing students to complete their MSN on their terms while maintaining a nursing career.
- MSN in Leadership or Nursing Administration
A leadership degree can be leveraged in any industry. An MSN that is focused on leadership is an ideal choice for nurses who are most interested in policy, resource management, and improving daily health center operations. You may have already identified yourself as a leader in nursing if you’ve asked the question, “How could this be done better?” Nurse leaders orient themselves to level-set team achievements, improve accountability, and implement innovations. They might work at a public or private healthcare center or in government at the state or national level. A few top leadership MSN job titles include Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Educator.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Degree
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) take a holistic approach to patient care. FNP courses at Goodwin University that focus on lifespan, pediatric care, and complex clients prepare FNP candidates to tackle primary and preventive care for all types of patients. This well-rounded advanced nursing program will qualify you for employment in a physician’s office (among other environments), regular office hours and time off, and the benefit of growing with patients.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)Degree
Are you interested in working with patients who struggle with mental health disorders? Goodwin University’s PMHNP program qualifies students to use therapy and medication to help patients struggling with acute and chronic psychiatric challenges. PMHNPs mostly work in hospitals, clinics, inpatient, and outpatient centers. Mental health in America is a growing concern, especially in a world still so affected by COVID-19, which is why PMHNPs are needed now more than ever.
Believe it or not, there are still many more different types of master’s degrees in Nursing. Do you still have questions about which type of graduate degree you should pursue as a nurse? Contact Goodwin University today at 800-889-3282, or visit us online to learn more about your options in advanced nursing education.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.