According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a significant percentage of the nursing workforce — over 1 million registered nurses — will reach retirement age in the coming 10 to 15 years. Nursing school enrollment is not increasing fast enough to address the projected demand for nursing talent. Due to this, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists nursing as one of the careers that will experience the most growth through 2026. The demand for nurses is expected to grow by 15 percent, a much higher percentage than the national average for all professions.
These numbers help to answer the question “Why get a master’s degree in nursing?” Educational, health care, and societal factors will come together to increase the demand for knowledgeable professionals in the field in the near future. As a result, individuals with a higher level of education can enjoy opportunities to establish their advanced practice professional nursing careers, as well as to gain workplace stability.
Benefits of Getting a Master’s Degree in Nursing
A master’s degree provides the entry point to higher-level careers and better salaries. A registered nurse with an undergraduate degree earns a median salary of $65,570; a nurse practitioner (NP) with a master’s degree can earn a median salary of $89,899 per year, according to the BLS.
Graduate nursing programs enable students to explore career possibilities in nursing specialties beyond general nursing. For example, nursing informatics is a specialization that combines two disciplines to provide more professional options. Other MSN program specializations include research, pediatric care, oncology, and mental health. Nurses with an MSN might also work as nurse educators and teach the next generation of registered nurses and advanced practice professional nurses. They can continue working toward a doctorate, which allows for even more autonomy as a health care provider and the possibility for advancement into health care management roles. Often these degrees are available online, so students who are enrolled in the programs can continue to work full time while pursuing their degree.
Characteristics of a Typical MSN Program
Students who enroll in an MSN program can choose among specializations that suit their interests and potential career paths. For those who work full time, many of these MSN programs are offered online to accommodate work schedules and other commitments.
- Pediatric nurse practitioner: This specialization focuses on caring for children’s health as they grow and develop. Students enrolled in an MSN program with a PNP specialization learn about the clinical management of children from birth through age 21. These graduate students learn the pathophysiology, research skills, health assessment techniques, nursing theory, processes, and clinical management strategies to care for pediatric patients. BSN-prepared students can complete this coursework in two years.
- Family nurse practitioner: Family nurse practitioners have an important role as autonomous health care providers. They learn the pharmacology, health assessment techniques, nursing theory, processes, and pathophysiology necessary to autonomously treat patients throughout their lives, from birth through adulthood. Their practice includes managing women’s health issues and caring for geriatric patients. Someone with a bachelor’s degree in nursing needs two years or less to complete this field of specialization, while a registered nurse with an associate degree will need three years.
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner: This MSN program builds expertise in behavioral sciences and the field of emotional intelligence so mental health NPs can assess, diagnose, manage, and treat mental illness. The graduate program focuses on the clinical management of psychiatric and mental health clients. Graduate students learn the pharmacology, health assessment techniques, pathophysiology, nursing theory, processes, and research skills to autonomously treat patients for dementia, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The typical student enrolled in this MSN program completes the coursework in two years.
- Women’s health nurse practitioner: Women have specialized health care needs an NP can address. These advanced practice nurses learn the pharmacology, nursing theory, pathophysiology, health assessment techniques, processes, and research skills necessary to treat patients autonomously. They also learn the clinical management skills to provide gynecological, reproductive, and primary care to adolescents, women, and geriatric patients. Most graduate students complete this MSN coursework in two years.
- Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner: As the U.S. population ages, the need for medical professionals who specialize in geriatric medicine will increase. Adult-gerontology nursing students learn the pharmacology, pathophysiology, nursing theory, processes, research skills, clinical management strategies, and health assessment skills they need to treat aging patients. They also learn how to facilitate discussions on the topics of aging, health policy, access to care, and other issues as they relate to the adult-gerontology population. Most students take two years to complete this program of graduate semester hours.
MSN Concentrations and Viable Career Paths
When answering the question “Why get a master’s degree in nursing?” it’s a good idea to look at the career opportunities for each specialization area.
- A pediatric nurse practitioner can work in hospitals, universities, governmental agencies, nurse-led practices, and clinics. According to Payscale.com, pediatric nurses in the U.S. earn $85,949 per year. They can also work as neonatal nurse practitioners, with a median salary of $96,475.
- Family nurse practitioners have many career options. They can work as family nurse practitioners, earning $90,064, or acute care nurse practitioners, earning $97,771.
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners earn $99,120 per year.
MSN graduates can also find employment as nurse anesthetists, nurse case managers, pediatric endocrinology nurse practitioners, public health nurse practitioners, and midwifery nurse practitioners, among many other specialized roles. Earning the MSN degree is easier than ever before because many programs offer their coursework 100% online, so students can continue working full time and attending school with a flexible schedule.
Learn More
The online Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner program at Regis College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the National League for Nursing has recognized the Regis School of Nursing, Science & Health Professions as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. Learn how completing the Master of Science in Nursing online program at Regis College can prepare you for advanced practice in specialized nursing departments, such as those in family practices, pediatric units, adult-geriatric facilities, women’s health centers, and mental health institutions.
Recommended Reading:
Comparing Careers: Nursing vs. Physician Assistants
The High Importance and Demand of Psychiatric Nurses
The Unique Need for Women’s Health NPs
Sources:
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Payscale.com, Pediatric NP
Payscale.com, Neonatal NP
Payscale.com, Family NP
Payscale.com, Acute Care NP
Payscale.com, Psychiatric NP