What is an MSN in nursing? An MSN is a Master of Science in Nursing, a graduate-level degree that can facilitate career advancement. What can you do with an MSN? An MSN can enable you to become an advanced practice registered nurse, nurse administrator, nursing educator, or nurse informaticist.
What can you do with an MSN degree, and which one should you choose? With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you could pursue career advancement beyond entry-level roles. There are many different MSN degrees, with varying concentrations or specializations. The one you choose will depend on your career advancement goals, such as whether you’d like to continue providing direct patient care or step away from the bedside.
Utica University offers flexible nursing education for individuals who wish to become nurses and those looking to advance their careers. Utica’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program leads to licensure as a registered nurse (RN), while our master’s degrees in nursing can open the door to new opportunities in the field.
What can you do with an MSN? While you plan your nursing career pathway, take a closer look at what an MSN is and why you might want to earn one.
What Is an MSN in Nursing?
An MSN is a Master of Science in Nursing. This is a graduate-level nursing degree, typically designed for experienced, licensed nurses with a B.S. in Nursing.
A B.S. in Nursing provides broad, foundational knowledge in nursing theory and teaches essential clinical skills applicable to a range of nursing specialties. In contrast, an MSN tends to delve more deeply into advanced concepts in areas such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and patient assessment. It also usually focuses on a particular practice area, such as adult gerontology.
Keep in mind that even if you intend to earn an MSN to pursue career advancement, you’ll first need to earn a B.S. in Nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN, and become a registered nurse. A traditional B.S. in Nursing program typically takes four years, while Utica’s ABSN can be completed in as few as 16 months.
Why Earn an MSN? Career Flexibility and Earning Potential
What is an MSN in nursing for? Nurses typically decide to go back to school to earn an MSN because they’re interested in pursuing career advancement and earning higher salaries. An MSN can open the door to new opportunities, both in direct clinical care and away from the bedside.
Additionally, more highly educated nurses may be better able to promote patient safety and improve patient outcomes. They serve as leaders and mentors in the workplace, elevating the standard of care and promoting evidence-based practices.
Take a closer look at how earning a B.S. in Nursing prepares you for advanced nursing degrees.
What Can You Do With an MSN?
There are many career advancement opportunities after earning an MSN. Some examples include roles in patient care, nursing leadership, nursing education, and nursing informatics.
Patient Care and Advanced Practice Roles
If you enjoy clinical care and would like to continue working directly with patients, consider pursuing an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role. With an MSN, you could become a nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or certified nurse midwife (CNM).
These advanced practice roles offer greater autonomy and a broader scope of responsibility. APRNs can serve as nurse leaders, providing guidance to less experienced nurses and stepping in to manage complex patient cases.
With the additional responsibilities comes a higher salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners earned a median annual salary of $129,210 as of May 2024, while nurse-midwives earned a median annual salary of $128,790.
In addition to earning a B.S. in Nursing, followed by an MSN, aspiring APRNs must obtain board certification in their specialty. They must also obtain an APRN license from the state board of nursing (BON).
Nursing Leadership and Administration
With an MSN, you can pursue plenty of nursing leadership and administration roles. A charge nurse, for example, supervises other RNs during specific shifts. They respond to any clinical emergencies or administrative problems that arise during the shift.
Nurse administrators step back from the bedside to focus on operational management and the business side of healthcare. They may develop policies and procedures, oversee daily activities, and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
Nursing Education and Academia
If you’d like to step away from clinical care, but administration doesn’t appeal to you, consider a career in nursing education. With an MSN, you could become a nurse educator. Nurse educators work in academia, teaching nursing students who aspire to become RNs. Some nurse educators may teach graduate-level nursing classes to licensed RNs seeking advancement.
Get the details on how to become a nurse educator with an MSN.
Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Technology
Nursing is an increasingly high-tech career field. If you’re passionate about the application of technology to improve patient outcomes, the quality of care, and operational efficiency, you might consider earning an MSN that focuses on nursing informatics.
A nurse informaticist, also called an informatics nurse specialist, works to optimize electronic health records (EHRs) and improve healthcare software systems. They collect, manage, and secure healthcare data and use it to identify opportunities to improve healthcare operations and patient care. These healthcare technology professionals can also train fellow nurses on the proper use of healthcare software.
How to Earn an MSN Without a Nursing Background
If you’re interested in advancing your career with an MSN, but aren’t yet a nurse, you can get started by earning a B.S. in Nursing. If you have a completed non-nursing degree or at least 65 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible for Utica’s ABSN program. Those with a conferred associate degree and at least 60 credit hours in liberal arts may be eligible for our Advanced Standing B.S. in Nursing program.
In both cases, students can graduate in as few as 16 months. Most nursing graduates take the NCLEX-RN within a couple of months of graduating. Once you’re a licensed nurse, you can gain entry-level clinical experience in your chosen nursing specialty.
After gaining experience as a nurse, you can begin exploring MSN programs. Many master’s degrees in nursing are available with online coursework and in-person field/practicum hours, making this degree more accessible to working nurses.
Begin Your Path in Nursing at Utica University
Utica University facilitates a faster career change to nursing with our ABSN program in New York. You could graduate with a B.S. in Nursing in as few as 16 months after completing any needed degree requirement courses. You’ll work through a fast-paced program with the support of attentive nursing instructors and Academic Success Coaches, who can help you overcome any challenges you may face.
Request more information and connect with an admission representative today for personalized assistance with navigating the admission process. There is no waitlist, and students may enroll at our location in Utica or Albany, New York.
