Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: October 24, 2023
An MSN degree, or Master of Science in Nursing, is a graduate-level program that equips registered nurses (RNs) with advanced clinical and leadership skills, enabling them to pursue specialized roles and higher-level positions within the healthcare industry.
Earning an MSN degree helps registered nurses transition to advanced practice nursing in education, research, administrative, and clinical settings. The MSN degree is a graduate-level degree that emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, quality, and safety. Students enrolled in an MSN program learn from a framework that integrates nursing science, patient-centered care, cultural competence, and public health into nursing practice.
What Is an MSN Degree?
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a clinical and research-focused graduate degree, typically requiring 2-3 years of full-time study. The goal of an MSN program is to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice roles through coursework and independent study in specialties such as administration, informatics, education, and more.
MSN programs also prepare students to take on greater responsibility in clinical care settings, where they can work as part of a team to assess patient health needs, design and implement treatment plans and patient education programs, and deliver care that is safe, compassionate, and evidence-based. Many MSN programs incorporate leadership development into their curricula to prepare students for roles as advanced practice registered nurses and nursing administrators.
Benefits of an MSN Degree
- MSN-educated nurses earn significantly more than their colleagues with a bachelor’s degree and are among the highest-paid health care professionals in the U.S.
- Graduating with an MSN Degree allows you to expand your scope of practice and pursue positions in leadership and administration.
- With a Master of Science in Nursing comes greater clinical autonomy, which allows you to take on more responsibility and provide more direct patient care.
- In some states, registered nurses with a master’s degree may be able to prescribe medication.
- MSN programs prepare graduates for roles as advanced practice registered nurses which can translate to higher-paying specialty roles in leadership, research, clinical care management, and more.
- Advanced practice nurses with a master’s degree can fill a critical need in our health care system, particularly in a time when the U.S. is experiencing a physician shortage and nursing shortage.
MSN Degree Options
There are two primary entry points for an MSN degree. The first is for RNs who already hold an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and the second is for individuals with a baccalaureate degree in an area of study outside the field of nursing. Choosing the path that is appropriate for your background is an important step as you take steps to learn more about admissions requirements, tuition costs, and coursework.
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN programs allow nurses with associate degrees to bypass a BSN on their way to a Master of Science in Nursing. These programs can be particularly appealing for nurses who want to earn a master’s degree while working because they typically take 2-3 years to complete, allowing students to continue their employment throughout the process. Clinical practicum hours can often be completed at your place of employment, or at a site chosen by your nursing program.
BSN to MSN Programs
To enter a BSN to MSN program, students must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and an active RN license. These programs are typically designed to build upon skills learned in the bachelor’s degree program with additional coursework in research, leadership, and evidence-based practice.
Students can choose from various Masters in Nursing specialties while enrolled in a BSN to MSN program, leading to positions such as nurse practitioners, nurse managers, and nurse educators. The most widely offered specializations are administration, education, and advanced practice registered nursing. Regardless of specialty, the program will include core coursework in nursing theory, pharmacology, pathophysiology, ethics, research, and education.
Entry Level Master's in Nursing
An Entry Level Master’s in Nursing program, which is often referred to as a Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing (MSN), offers a pathway for students with a baccalaureate degree in a field outside of nursing to obtain RN licensure and proceed to graduate-level courses to earn an MSN degree. Entry Level Master’s in Nursing programs are typically structured as three-year accelerated programs for individuals without previous nursing education.
During their first year in the program, students will complete an intensive course of study that culminates in licensure as an RN. Students at this stage are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). In the remaining years of the program, nurses will select an area of specialization and complete coursework, clinical rotations, and residency hours in the focus area of their choice.
Dual Master's Degree
Dual Master’s Degree programs offer interdisciplinary training in two related programs to help students develop mastery of both disciplines. As the name suggests, these programs combine master’s specialties in two areas of study, such as public health, business administration, healthcare administration, and nursing. Graduates of Dual Master’s Degree programs are prepared for advanced leadership roles that require expertise in both fields.
Online MSN Degree
Whether you are a registered nurse or a professional working in a different field, an online Master’s in Nursing may be the fastest and most cost-effective way for you to transition into advanced practice nursing. If you desire more responsibility, have a passion for research, or want to teach at the college level, an online MSN degree may be the best way to reach your goals.
Online Learning Options
Graduate nursing programs are increasingly using the Internet to deliver content, facilitate class discussions, and create interactive experiences that cater to the needs of a diverse population of students. As a result, online learning has become an increasingly popular option for nurses looking to advance their education.
Online learning options may include “blended”, “hybrid”, or 100% online programs that can be completed at your own pace. As the names imply, blended and hybrid course formats incorporate a “blend” of face-to-face classroom sessions, online instruction, and virtual modules. Online instruction may consist of pre-recorded lectures and materials along with live chat rooms that foster student-to-student and teacher-to-student interactions.
MSN Degree Specialties
MSN degree programs often focus on a particular area of specialization or research. They may offer a general track that includes a breadth of topics related to nursing, or they may prepare students for a specific area of practice. The most common Master’s in Nursing specialties are:
Nurse-Midwifery
Nurse-Midwifery programs offer students the opportunity to gain advanced training in caring for women and newborns. Nurse-Midwifery care is focused on pregnancy, labor, delivery, the postpartum period, and women’s health throughout their lifespan. Nurse-midwives also provide a broad range of services related to reproductive health, including managing chronic diseases and counseling patients about issues related to sexual health.
Nursing Education
Master’s in Nursing Education programs are designed to give students the crucial skills needed to train and mentor new nurses as they prepare for practice. Nurse educators are able to impact patient care and improve health care systems in their community by preparing the next generation of nurses.
Nursing Informatics
Nursing Informatics programs empower healthcare administrators with nursing science and data management skills that help them make better decisions. By earning a nursing informatics degree, nurses will have knowledge that enables them to provide insights and influence policies that improve the quality of patient care.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a nursing role that provides comprehensive primary care for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. FNP’s provide routine healthcare services like childhood, adult, and geriatric physical exams; immunizations; screening tests; lab tests; minor surgical procedures; prescribing medications; patient education; and counseling on issues including disease prevention, behavior change, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) is a nursing role that specializes in the care of newborns during their early stages of development. NNPs provide direct patient care to infants and contribute meaningfully to neonatal outcomes research through education, coordination, and leadership roles. They act as consultants to other care providers and serve as a primary caregiver to patients and their families.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) is an advanced practice role that provides primary care for adults across the age spectrum. AGPCNPs conduct physical exams, manage chronic diseases, counsel patients about health promotion and disease prevention, prescribe medication, order lab tests, perform procedures, make referrals to specialists, and coordinate care with other healthcare providers and agencies.
Nursing and Healthcare Administration
Nursing and Healthcare Administration (management) programs train students to become leaders in the healthcare industry. Graduates work as healthcare administrators, managers, and other senior-level roles that contribute to improving patient care, safety, cultural sensitivity, and hospital/clinic operations.
Find MSN Programs Near Me
Begin exploring how a Master of Science in Nursing can benefit you personally and professionally by searching programs near you. Click on your state below to see accredited MSN program rankings.
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