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What is a Master of Science in Nursing?

A Master of Science in Nursing is several things. It’s a pathway to leadership positions. It’s a big milestone in your educational journey. It’s a proven way to become a better nurse. To sum it up, a Master of Science in Nursing is right for career-minded Registered Nurses who want to advance in the field. But, besides knowing where it can take you, we’re sure you want to know exactly what it is! What makes the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) different from other nursing master’s programs? What classes are included? What jobs will you be eligible for? Get some answers, and much more, with this deep-dive into the Master of Science in Nursing at Goodwin College.

What coursework is included in the Master of Science in Nursing program?

Earning your MSN means that you’ll be leveling up your nursing skills in a few key areas that are surely familiar from your BSN degree:

  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physical Assessment

You’ll also take classes geared towards leadership development, like Policy, Politics, Organization of Healthcare, Communication, and Informatics. The full graduate nursing curriculum at Goodwin College is built to enhance your current skills and improve your leadership capabilities, so that you can achieve your highest career potential in the field.

What jobs can I land with my MSN?

There are many directions that you can go once you have advanced nursing credentials. You’ll be able to apply to excellent jobs like the following:

  • Nurse Manager
  • Nursing Department Administrator
  • Nurse Educator
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Nurse Practitioner

You might be surprised and delighted to learn that roles like these could earn you upwards of $100k annually! With a master’s degree under your belt, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2018, you could be making a median annual salary of $113,930 as a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Practitioner. This just goes to show that an advanced education certainly pays off.

Are there other types of Master’s degrees in Nursing that I should consider?

Considering the type of Master’s in Nursing degree program for you, all depends on your career goals. For instance, you might consider a broadly career-focused degree program. A public health or population health focused Master’s of Science in Nursing (like the MSN at Goodwin College) is a good route for those who want to become managers of community health organizations, or who hope to get involved with public health practice. Or, you could enhance your degree in a business direction with an MSN program that offers leadership and business-focused coursework. If you aspire to be entrepreneurial or innovative in your nursing career, this could be the program for you.

Otherwise, beyond the MSN, there are specialized credentialing programs that are catered more closely towards a specific jobs, such as the ICN for Infection Control Nurse, the PMNH, for Psychiatric-mental Health Nurse. To be clear, these are not Master’s degree programs. There are supplementary courses that allow you to, in some instances, pass another credentialing exam, like the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification (CNS-BS) the Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BBC), to become best qualified for those jobs. Even if you hope to become a specific type of nurse, it’s a good plan to begin with the MSN which will cover all of the bases.

Are Master of Science in Nursing programs offered online?

The short answer is: Yes! Some MSN colleges will require on-campus coursework, while others deliver classes completely online, and some split the difference with a hybrid on-campus/online program. U.S. News urges prospective students to consider all of the factors that go into choosing to study online, including cost, difficulty, accessibility of student services, faculty, and more.

As we discussed in a recent article, affordability is a huge benefit of studying online. For example, Goodwin College is able to offer classes for just $707 a credit, which is one of the lowest tuition rates available for private nonprofit colleges in Connecticut.

What are the differences between a BSN and an MSN program?

The Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) really sets the stage for aspiring nurses to gain experience in the field, and to work their way into advanced patient care positions. The BSN also sets the stage for critical and theoretical thinking in the Healthcare field, likely sparking a curiosity in students to continue on towards an advanced degree program. The MSN builds on this education by making leaders out of RNs. This helpful article helps with understanding how to go from your RN to your MSN, online.

What are the top reasons that I would want to get my Masters of Science in Nursing?

  1. An MSN is the best way to earn more money than you already make as a RN.
  2. The demand is high for talents like yours. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has proven that there will be a shortage of physicians of up to 122,000 physicians by 2032. Continual increase in demand for doctors, due to the American population’s continual growth and increased longevity, will surpass the supply. Nurses with an advanced skillset, like those who possess a Master of Science in Nursing, are just as in demand!
  3. You can study online through a flexible program like Goodwin College’s MSN, earning your degree in as few as 20 months part-time, while continuing to work or maintaining a strong family life.

What is a Master of Science in Nursing? It’s an all-encompassing advanced degree program that will get you where you need to go as a Registered Nurse (and beyond). Through this door, you can find your way to career and life fulfillment. Learn more about some of the benefits of a Master’s of Science in Nursing through testimonials from Goodwin College graduates. You can also reach out to our Admissions team for more information, today, at 800-889-3282, or by visiting us online at Goodwin.edu/landingpages/msn.