As the healthcare field continues to evolve, nurses are taking on more leadership, clinical, and decision-making roles. As one 2021 study maintains, “nurses at every level and across all settings are positioned to lead. Nurses can lead teams, promote community health, advocate for systems change and health policy, foster the redesign of nursing education, and advance efforts to achieve health equity.”
If you’re interested in advancing your nursing career, particularly in a leadership role, then it may be time to pursue your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
What Is an MSN Degree, and Who Is It For?
An MSN degree is an advanced nursing degree that’s designed for professionals who already have some experience working as a registered nurse (RN) in the field. These are typically nurses who want to advance their education to pursue leadership opportunities in nursing.
What can you do with an MSN degree? Graduates with an MSN degree in nursing may qualify for such roles as:
- Nurse executive
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse manager
- Chief nursing officer
- Nurse educator
Can You Earn an MSN Without a BSN?
Believe it or not, you don’t need to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to earn your MSN. Getting your MSN degree without a BSN is generally possible as long as you have an unencumbered RN license and have completed an ADN program, and as long as you choose a program that’s specifically designed as an RN to MSN bridge program.
These bridge programs are designed to integrate critical BSN coursework into the curriculum, enabling students to develop a foundational understanding of evidence-based practice, nursing leadership, community health nursing, and other key areas.
Personal and Professional Benefits of Earning an MSN
No matter where you stand in your current career, there are a number of personal and professional benefits you could enjoy when you complete your RN to MSN degree online.
Personal Benefits of Earning an MSN
From boosting your confidence to instilling a lifelong love of learning, earning your MSN can empower you to achieve new levels of personal growth.
Greater Personal Fulfillment
For starters, MSN-prepared nurses tend to make a lasting impact on individual lives and entire communities. This, in turn, can lead to a greater sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction.
Increased Confidence and Autonomy
Consider, too, that the advanced training and knowledge nurses can gain through an MSN could significantly boost their confidence not only in clinical decision-making, leadership, and communication, but also in their everyday decision-making and interactions with others.
Improved Work-Life Balance
If you’re working as an RN, then you already know the challenges of working long (and sometimes unpredictable) hours with little time off. With an MSN, you can move into more advanced and specialized roles (like nurse educator or NP in outpatient settings) that offer more predictable schedules than bedside nursing. This type of scheduling can lead to a better work-life balance, supporting a healthier personal life.
Lifelong Learning and Intellectual Growth
Earning an MSN may inspire and encourage nurses to stay engaged and up-to-date in their fields. They may be among the first to learn about emerging healthcare technologies, research, and evolving care models that they can incorporate into their own work, thereby remaining relevant in the field.
Expanded Professional Identity
Although bedside nursing as an RN can be extremely rewarding, transitioning from bedside care to more advanced roles in policy, education, or leadership could empower you to explore new dimensions of your passion for healthcare. In doing so, you can expand your professional identity and find your niche.
Mentorship Opportunities
Have you always dreamed of inspiring and helping other nurses? Getting your MSN could present unique opportunities for mentorship, allowing you to work with aspiring nurses to provide valuable career guidance and support. Serving as a nurse mentor can be a great way to add meaning and satisfaction to your role, which can spill over into your personal life.
Personal Pride and Achievement
Don’t overlook the fact that completing a graduate degree program is a major personal milestone. Many nurses find a strong sense of pride in achieving a goal that sets them apart both academically and professionally from others.
Professional Benefits of Earning an MSN
From a professional perspective, earning your MSN could benefit you in a number of ways, from opening up the doors to new career opportunities to setting you up for further education and specialization.
Expanded Career Options
Having your MSN can open up opportunities to advance into more specialized nursing roles, with common options for MSN graduates including:
- Leadership and management roles, such as Chief Nursing Officer or Nursing Manager
- Advanced practice roles, including Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Nurse educator roles, such as Clinical Nurse Educator, Professional Development Specialist, or Curriculum Coordinator
- Public health and policy roles, such as Health Policy Nurse or Public Health Nurse
Higher Salary Potential
Meanwhile, MSN-prepared nurses also tend to earn substantially higher salaries than RNs with an undergraduate degree alone. That’s because they may be more likely to find themselves in advanced roles that typically offer better compensation benefits.
Clinical Leadership Opportunities
By obtaining an MSN, you may also be eligible for leadership roles in unit management, clinical direction, or even executive-level positions. In these roles, you can utilize your expertise and knowledge to impact healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Eligibility for Certification and Specialization
If you’ve been wanting to obtain a certification or other specialized designation within the nursing field, keep in mind that many of these require an MSN. Some examples of certifications you may be eligible to pursue with an MSN include:
Job Market Advantage
When it comes to hiring for advanced roles and leadership positions, healthcare industry employers increasingly prefer MSN-prepared nurses. By completing your MSN degree, you may be able to set yourself apart from less qualified job applicants in a competitive market.
Influence on Healthcare Systems and Policy
If you’re passionate about making a positive difference not just in the nursing field, but in the healthcare industry as a whole, an MSN could set you up to have greater influence. As a result, you may be in a stronger position to contribute to healthcare reform, organizational strategy, and policy development while shaping care on a systems level.
Why Now? The Timing and Demand for MSN-Prepared Nurses
Across the United States and even globally, a shortage of skilled nurses continues to threaten the healthcare landscape. A 2022 study reports on the nursing shortage, stating that “the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported critical staffing shortages in 24% of US hospitals.”
In addition to a general shortage of BSN-educated nurses, there is a specific need for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and other specialized nursing professionals. As a result, now could be a fitting time for aspiring nurse leaders to pursue MSN degree options and take advantage of openings in the field.
Baker College’s MSN Degrees
Students enrolled in Baker College’s MSN program also have the option to choose from two different concentrations, depending on their interests and career aspirations.
Nursing Education
Our Nursing Education concentration is an excellent choice for nursing professionals who aspire to work in teaching roles. As a nurse educator, you can make a significant impact in the lives of aspiring nurses and nursing professionals embarking on their professional journeys.
Nursing Administration
Meanwhile, students interested in pursuing advanced roles in nursing leadership may consider the program’s Nursing Administration concentration. With coursework in topics such as human resource management, healthcare finance, and foundations of nursing administration, graduates can prepare to have a positive impact on the facilities where they work.
RN to MSN Program
The RN to MSN program is designed to streamline your educational journey, empowering you to achieve your professional goals more quickly. The program begins with some RN to BSN bridge courses that cover essential topics such as:
- Evidence-Based Practice for the BSN
- Fundamentals of Professional Nursing Practice
- Community Health Nursing
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Information Management in Healthcare
Is an MSN the Right Move for You?
Whether you’re interested in moving into a leadership or education role, earning your MSN can be an excellent way to build the foundational skills you need to advance your career. If you already have your RN license and are interested in pursuing an MSN, Baker College’s RN to MSN program is designed to make the transition as smooth as possible without the need for a prior BSN. With our online curriculum format, you can work at your own pace, balancing your academic demands with other life obligations.Learn more about Baker College’s MSN degrees today by connecting with our friendly and knowledgeable team. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can also get started with your online application for admission.