Benefits Of A Master’s In Nursing

A master’s degree in nursing, or MSN, which is synonymous with becoming a nurse practitioner, provides nurses an opportunity to go into advanced practices and specialized areas of study. Because of the variety of career options available after graduation, it is critical for prospective students to identify their goals before enrolling.

Find out more about who may be a good fit for an online nurse practitioner program and get expert advice on what to consider when applying to schools.

The decision to get a master’s degree in nursing is not always clear-cut, especially when considering finances and time commitments. The majority of programs take between 18 months and three years of full-time study. Students who want to complete their degree while working will need more time. Deciding to continue education is a big step, and prospective students should be absolutely sure about their choice before enrolling in a program. Here are some ways an MSN degree benefits nurses:

Selecting the right online master’s in nursing program depends on one’s previous experience as much as it does on their goals and time available to dedicate to their degree. Whether coming in with a nursing program background or transferring into the field from another discipline, students can find a program that fits by assessing their individual needs and future goals.

Students who have already completed undergraduate degrees outside of nursing typically choose this degree, which reviews foundational concepts before moving into advanced topics. Also known as an accelerated degree path, this program brings non-nursing students up to speed quickly. Students take the NCLEX-RN exam after the first year and spend the remainder of the program covering graduate-level topics.

Students with an associate-level nursing degree frequently opt for this program, which uses the first year to review coursework absent from a two-year program. It’s a great choice for working nurses, as many degrees are available online in addition to traditional classroom-based programs.

Nurses with a baccalaureate degree follow this path, which uses undergraduate coursework as a foundation for advanced learning. Most students graduate with an MSN, although some universities offer them as Master of Nursing (MN) or Master of Science (MS) in Nursing degrees.

Nurses seeking to advance their educations while concentrating on a specific area frequently complete a dual MSN program, allowing them to pair nursing coursework with another related topic, such as public health, business, health administration, or public administration.

Even after completing a master’s degree in nursing, some individuals may wish to concentrate further, building advanced clinical or managerial skills. Post-graduate certificates are popular options because they allow nurses to specialize in areas not covered in an MSN. The majority of these nursing certificates can be completed in a year or less, and are often online, allowing nursing professionals to keep working. Some of the specialized careers available for certified MSNs include:

A master’s degree in nursing is a great option for people passionate about their work and who want to provide a higher level of care to patients. This applies to both those working in the field and those who desire a career change. While all prospective MSN candidates have to consider costs and time commitments, those changing careers have to consider physical stamina and their desired work schedule. Some of the characteristics of a good candidate for an MSN include:

Students who are able to secure funding in the form of scholarships or grants have the potential to offset their debt. While the average salary of and advanced nurse practitioner – set at $101,260 as of May 2015 according to the BLS – will help pay off any necessary loans, finding funding that doesn’t need to be paid back should always be the first step. The scholarships listed below pertain directly to MSN programs.