MSN Programs in Alaska

By EveryNurse Staff on January 16, 2023

If a registered nurse is interested in pursuing a career in administration or education, completing an MSN degree program is a must. In Alaska, only nurses with an advanced degree under his or her belt are deemed qualified enough to teach on a college or university level, or assume an administrative role at a hospital or other healthcare facility. A Master of Science in Nursing also provides a nurse with the necessary credentials to conduct research in the field of their choice.

Schools With MSN Programs in Alaska

The University of Alaska-Anchorage offers a master’s degree program in Nursing for students with an interest in becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Administrator, Nursing Educator, or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The graduate program in Anchorage is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. Upon completion of the program, graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner track are eligible to write the national certification examination for advanced professional practice as a family nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Graduates of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track program can write the national certification examination for advanced practice as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner-family. Those who have completed the Nursing Education track (and who have two years of full-time academic teaching experience under his or her belt) are eligible to take the NLN Certified Nurse Educator Exam.

By entering the online Master of Science in Nursing program at the Chamberlain College of Nursing, nurses can earn their MSN degree in less than two years. Students will attend classes set to a schedule that accommodates their personal and professional responsibilities. There is no need to worry about mandatory chat, lecture or login times. The program also allows nurses to also interact with peers and faculty members from across the nation. There are four specialty tracks to consider with the program: Executive, Educator, Informatics or Healthcare Policy.

Capella University allows nurses to earn an advanced degree by taking online courses towards earning a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis placed on one of six tracks: diabetes nursing, gerontology nursing, nurse educator, or nursing leadership and administration. The MSN degree programs at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Offering flexible scheduling, Brookline College prepares nurses to enter the teaching field by delivering a curriculum that ends with obtaining a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education. Graduates often go on to become nurse educators within an academic or health care setting. The program is available for registered nurses (RNs) who have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and possess a current, unencumbered RN license.

Providing an online learning environment for nurses interested in earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Walden University allows students to collaborate with other nurses from all over the United States. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the MSN program offers two tracks: BSN to MSN Track for registered nurses entering the program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and the RN to MSN Track for RNs with a hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree (other than a BSN). Areas of specialization offered through the University’s program include Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership and Management, Nursing Education, and Nursing Informatics.

Alaska MSN Checklist

Gain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Alaska.
Enter an MSN degree program and fulfill requirements.
Apply for licensure with the Alaska Board of Nursing (~$284 fee). A certified transcript must be sent directly from a graduate’s school of nursing to the Board.
Show proof of certification by a body recognized by the Board.
Fill out form for Consultation and Referral Plan, and furnish a completed reference form.
Pass National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Alaska.

Alaska MSN Salary & Job Outlook

Completing an MSN program in Alaska means that a nurse is allowed to pursue advanced placement within their specific field of study, which may include assuming the role of a family nurse practitioner or nursing professor at a university. When seeking employment in Alaska after earning a Master of Science in Nursing, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median salaries for the following common occupations related to MSN degrees: medical and health service managers ($109,090) and nursing instructors and teachers ($76,990).

The BLS also identifies Alaska as one of the top five states in America offering the highest pay for nurse practitioners with a median yearly salary of $112,090.