It should come as no surprise, with rising healthcare needs and costs, that employment of nurses is expected to grow faster than the average occupation, as much as six percent, by 2032. Tangibly speaking, this growth rate results in about 193,100 job openings each year. Plus, these aren’t just entry-level positions; many are for experienced professionals. Nursing candidates can expect to earn a median annual wage of $86,070, with the highest ten percent earning more than $132,680.
Starting to sound pretty enticing? Well, in order to earn higher salaries and snag senior-level positions, many nurses look to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. These degrees provide candidates with specialized skills, training, and the opportunity to significantly impact their community.
So, if you are a nurse, asking yourself, “Should I get my Master’s in Nursing?” may help you reach the next level in your career.
Below, we’ll discuss one tried-and-true way to advance your nursing education and career, by outlining the core benefits of a Master’s in Nursing. We’ll also explore a few additional questions to ask yourself if you’ve already been wondering: Should I get my MSN degree?
What is a Master’s in Nursing degree?
A Master’s in Nursing (MSN) is a postgraduate degree that gives nurses the skills and knowledge needed to pursue advanced roles in the nursing field, such as nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, and family nurse practitioner.
Candidates typically have the option to enroll in a general or specialized MSN program. Generalized MSN degree programs cover all the bases in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment. Additionally, students expand their skill set into research, healthcare-related policies and political implications, leadership, and communication.
On the other hand, specialized nursing programs are great for candidates interested in specific, clinical concentrations within the nursing field. Unlike the generalized Master’s in Nursing degree, these programs study one subject in great detail and depth, preparing nurses for specific job titles.
Examples of specialized MSN degree programs are:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Midwifery
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Orthopedics
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Gerontologist
- Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner
- Public Health Nurse
When choosing a specialized degree program, consider what environment you want to work in and have at least some experience in that field before committing to a specialized degree. If you don’t know, choosing a generalized MSN program might be best to explore your options.
Should I get my MSN?: Key benefits
Obtaining an MSN degree is an enriching, immersive, and skill-expanding experience and leads to a number of benefits, both academically and professionally. After all, with 30 credits of coursework and 90 clinical hours, candidates can transform into more experienced and educated nurses in just a short amount of time.
Benefit #1: Additional and advanced roles
Employers at hospitals, healthcare organizations, and other healthcare facilities look for candidates with their MSN for managerial roles and leadership positions.
MSN degree holders then become advanced nurse practitioners who operate independently and collaboratively in a clinical role, diagnose and treat acute illnesses, prescribe medications, and refer patients to specialists.
The advanced knowledge and training allow candidates to obtain more independence and authority in advanced practice registered nursing roles. Additionally, due to the focus on leadership and autonomy, MSN graduates can also pursue the following advanced job titles:
- Case manager
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse educator
- Nurse manager
- Nurse midwife
- Nurse researcher
Benefit #2: Respect in the workplace
An advanced MSN degree takes a lot of commitment, dedication, hard work, and energy. In addition to classes on healthcare leadership, nursing theory, health policy, and research, candidates must also complete supervised clinical hours and pass the national certification exam for their nursing discipline before advancing their practice.
As such, graduates of these programs are well-respected by their co-workers, employers, and other healthcare professionals. Many MSN degree holders also become educators, guides, and mentors for other colleagues and aspiring nurses, making earning an MSN degree even more fulfilling over the years.
Benefit #3: Positive patient and community impact
Nurses are often the first people a patient and their families interact with, giving them a unique opportunity to positively impact and improve the lives of these individuals. Perhaps even more so, nurses with master’s degrees regularly choose to open practices and clinics in areas with limited hospital access or other medical resources, positively impacting the community.
Should I get my Master’s in Nursing?: Questions to ask
At Goodwin, we’ve seen how personally and professionally rewarding obtaining an MSN degree can be. But candidates shouldn’t take this decision lightly. Make sure to ask these important questions to determine if this degree is the right next step.
Consider:
- What family, work, and personal obligations do I have, and can I make room for graduate studies?
- Will I still be able to work and support myself and my family and attend school?
- Will I do better in an in-person or online MSN program?
- What area of nursing do I want to specialize in?
- What are my short and long-term career goals?
Get your MSN at Goodwin University
The length of MSN programs can vary, depending on school, format, and degree specialization. With full-time and part-time options, candidates can work and advance their careers all at the same time. This is especially true of our career-focused, 20-month, fully-online MSN degree program at Goodwin University.
You also have the opportunity to pursue a variety of different Master’s degrees in Nursing, such as:
- Master’s in Nursing (MSN) in Population Health
- A leadership or administration-focused MSN
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) degree
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) APRN degree
Furthermore, students work alongside other motivated nurses and utilize Goodwin’s lifetime career services to assist in their job search after graduation. Say goodbye to crawling into class after a long shift or leaving your job to pursue your MSN. With our online MSN degree, you can complete the work on your schedule and wherever possible.