When it comes to advancing your career in nursing, an MSN degree is a solid option. Many nurses who pursue an MSN find that they can climb the professional ladder to managerial positions within their current healthcare setting.
However, pursuing an MSN requires significant reading and participation in discussions, often while working a full-time job. Fortunately, there are a few ways to make the program more affordable.
Accessibility
An MSN nurse administrator is a graduate degree that can advance individuals into leadership positions. While pursuing an MSN is not inexpensive, many scholarships and grants can help make this degree more affordable for nurses.
In addition, students can also consider completing a dual MSN program to pair nursing coursework with other subjects related to their long-term career goals. This can be an excellent option for nurses who want to start their private practice or focus on an advanced specialty like adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. MSN graduates at Lamar University typically earn higher salaries than RNs, and their earning potential only increases over time. Moreover, an MSN puts nurses on the path to becoming nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and certified nurse anesthetists among the highest-paying advanced practice roles.
Convenience
Graduate school is challenging for anyone, but it’s even more so for working nurses juggling multiple responsibilities at work and home. Those who pursue an MSN online can often complete their program faster than traditional programs and still have time for their family, friends, and other professional endeavors.
Many MSN students will have to participate in clinical sessions, which allows them to experience various patient populations and advanced nursing practices firsthand. This valuable experience will add to their resumes and help them build a network of contacts within the medical community.
Direct-entry MSN programs can also help nurses with undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields transition smoothly into nursing, providing them with the skills necessary to step into leadership roles in a healthcare setting. This career path may also put them closer to pursuing a doctorate in nursing, which could lead to more specialized advanced practice nurse positions.
Flexibility
To work in advanced nursing positions, like nurse practitioner roles, you’ll likely need to earn a master’s degree. If you’re already a registered nurse, some programs offer an online MSN in nursing administration that can help you take the next step. When choosing an MSN program, selecting one accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Council for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is essential.
These programs include required clinical sessions, allowing you to learn about patient populations and advanced nursing techniques firsthand. For nurses already working full-time, these programs often allow students to continue their existing jobs as they pursue their degrees, making it a convenient option.
Flexibility
RN to MSN programs are a great way to earn an advanced nursing degree efficiently and flexibly. Students can pursue their program from anywhere in the country and complete coursework on their terms without rearranging work or family schedules.
The specialized skills developed through RN to MSN online programs can be applied immediately in a clinical setting. This allows students to advance their careers more quickly than a BSN-prepared RN.
An MSN may also lead to more excellent career opportunities, such as managerial and leadership positions in healthcare facilities. In addition, some RN to MSN programs provide the pathway to earning a doctorate in nursing, which can further boost professional advancement.
Convenience
There are now more options than ever to earn a master’s degree in nursing. Students can choose from various academic schedules, from fully online programs to accelerated ones, and customize their course offerings. This can benefit those who work full-time or have other commitments and obligations.
Dedicated nurses can advance their careers by earning an MSN in nursing administration online. This advanced degree can expand a nurse’s scope of practice and lead to higher salaries and more significant opportunities for leadership positions. It may also provide a pathway to a doctorate, opening up even more career options for dedicated nurses.
