What does a Nurse Administrator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Family Nurse Practitioner all have in common? The answer is simple: a Master’s degree in Nursing! Without a master’s level education, there is no way to safely practice in these advanced roles. In order to be considered for jobs like these, you’ll need to take your nursing career to the next level with a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) degree.

Between the time spent and money sunk into more education, you might be wondering how you can accurately assess the value of a Master’s degree in Nursing. Well, like all things in life, taking on a new challenge usually requires a little sacrifice, a pinch of sweat, some personal gusto, but mostly, a good deal of research. We can look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out what the pay-off for these MSN career paths will be like.

In the United States, the average salary for Advanced Practice Nurses (including Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners) is about $113,930 annually. Nurse leaders, such as Nurse Administrators and Nurse Managers, earn a median annual income of about $99,730 across the nation.

Some variables that influence the occupational employment statistics for MSN careers include the state and the ­­environment worked in. It’s safe to say that for many reasons, in the Connecticut area and surrounding large metropolis further South, including New Jersey and New York, as well as North, including Massachusetts and New Hampshire, advanced MSN roles are proven lucrative and valuable. For instance, in the Connecticut nonmetropolitan area, Nurse Practitioners make the third highest amount amongst National nonmetropolitan areas, hitting an annual mean wage of $136,580. Nurse Administrators and Nurse Managers in Connecticut can expect an average salary of $128,970 annually.

The Connecticut nonmetropolitan area also has the second-highest concentration of nurse leadership jobs in the states. You can compound the value of a Master’s degree in Nursing by choosing to do so in an area that offers a bounty of opportunity.

It matters where you work, too! Meaning, what type of healthcare setting. For instance, most Nurse Practitioners work in offices of physicians, followed by hospitals. Those that work at hospitals earn tend to earn the highest. For Nurse Managers and Administrators, the majority work in hospital settings. However, the highest earning potential for these nurse leaders is in government positions.

As you can see, one of the many benefits of earning your MSN degree is that you’ll become eligible for advanced nursing roles. There is so much variety available to you—work settings, job prospects, specializations, population options (from caring for Baby Boomers to babies), and advancement opportunities. With this level of education, the choices are abundant and exciting.

Another key demonstration of the value of a Master’s in Nursing, is the opportunities for leadership that will become available to you. By investing in a graduate nursing curriculum that provides courses like Healthcare Quality: Communication and Informatics, and Leadership Practices in Organizational Communications, you will gain the foundational knowledge needed to become a change-maker in the healthcare field.

As detailed in the journal, “Nursing Made Incredibly Easy,” leadership is all about bringing an organization’s mission and vision to fruition. Leaders show others that they are valued and respected. Leaders are also caring and compassionate relationship-builders. They influence positivity in their work environment and inspire others. Sounds like nurses and leaders have a lot in common, right? The author, Richard Pullen, explains that there is a real difference between “management” and “leadership.” Managers control and coordinate, while leaders empower and inspire. To become the most valued nurse, you can build on your existing management skills and incorporate leadership approaches into your everyday work, in turn helping you gain the respect of your peers, adoration of patients, and attention of upper management.

A Master’s degree in Nursing can be something that you truly enjoy studying for. It can be even more enjoyable if it meets two more requirements: affordability and flexibility. Imagine earning your master’s fully online! The opportunity to continue working while also studying and fast-forwarding your career offers an unprecedented advantage. With Goodwin University’s fully online, 20-month, flexible MSN program, you’ll be amazed by the sacrifices you don’t have to make. Finally, the cost of the program is provided up-front, with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for before putting down a dollar. With tuition transparency, information about grants, scholarships, student loans and work-study, and hassle-free enrollment, Goodwin University is committed to making it straight-forward for you to get started on a path to great achievement. To learn more about how Goodwin University’s MSN program could work for you, we hope that you get in touch, today.