Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) degrees prepare graduates for advanced practice nursing or nurse leadership roles. An M.S.N. not only equips you to provide better patient care—it can also significantly increase your earning potential.
Read on to discover detailed information about M.S.N. degrees, including admission requirements, specialty areas, career options and bridge programs.
What Is an M.S.N.?
An M.S.N. is a graduate nursing degree that builds on undergraduate nursing knowledge. Through theoretical classes and clinical practicums, M.S.N. graduates gain advanced nursing skills that help shape their careers.
Completing an M.S.N. typically requires 30 to 50 credits and takes full-time students two years to complete, depending on the institution and chosen specialty.
A typical M.S.N. curriculum includes:
- Health promotion and education
- Pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Anatomy
- Physical assessment and diagnosis
- Illness management
- Disease prevention
An M.S.N. widens career options for registered nurses (RNs) and qualifies them to apply for doctoral-level nursing programs.
M.S.N. Admission Requirements
M.S.N. admission requirements vary based on the school, the applicant’s nursing qualifications and the applicant’s prior nursing education.
Admission requirements for RNs with a Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) may include:
- An accredited B.S.N. degree
- At least a 2.75 GPA (some require 3.0)
- At least a C in introductory statistics
- Valid RN license
- Letters of recommendation
- An application fee
Admission requirements for RNs with an associate degree in nursing (A.D.N.) include:
- An accredited associate degree in nursing
- At least one year of full-time employment as an RN
- Completed prerequisites with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- An application fee
Accreditation for M.S.N. Degrees
Accreditation marks the educational quality of M.S.N. programs and ensures that the curriculum aligns with current professional standards. Accreditation is also important when planning for higher education, as most doctorate programs only accept graduates with accredited degrees.
Additionally, unaccredited programs lead to challenges in obtaining advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure and finding employment. Before enrolling, be sure to confirm your program’s accreditation status with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Common M.S.N. Specialties
There are two categories of M.S.N. programs available: general and specialized. General programs prepare students for administrative and academic nursing roles. Specialized M.S.N. programs, on the other hand, prepare nurses for advanced clinical practice as APRNs.
Below are M.S.N. specialties available in most programs.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
An acute care nurse practitioner (NP) program teaches students how to stabilize patients with severe injuries and sudden complications during treatment. It emphasizes short-term immediate medical care for critical conditions and injuries.
With this M.S.N. specialty, you can become an acute care NP and work in emergency departments, intensive care units, operating rooms and other ambulatory settings.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner
This M.S.N. track prepares graduates to provide direct nursing care to adults of all ages, from adolescents to geriatrics. Unlike acute care that emphasizes urgent care, this M.S.N. specialty focuses on long-term care for chronic illnesses, minor ailments and disease prevention in adults.
Students in this program may narrow their patient focus by specializing in cardiology, oncology, HIV, orthopedics or endocrinology.
Adult-gerontology primary care NPs work in many settings including physician’s offices, community clinics, hospices, nursing homes, hospitals and outpatient clinics.
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
CNL programs, also called clinical nurse specialist programs, focus on improving the quality of patient care. These programs prepare nurses for leadership roles in the healthcare sector while advancing their nursing expertise for better patient outcomes. CNLs, alongside other medical personnel, coordinate patient treatment plans and supervise patient care.
Family Nurse Practitioner
A family nurse practitioner M.S.N. program teaches students to diagnose and treat illnesses across the lifespan. Family nurse practitioners provide comprehensive healthcare to patients of all genders and ages. Duties as a family NP also include family-centered guidance and counseling.
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator specialty program is ideal for those interested in academic roles as nursing faculty and clinical educators. This M.S.N. specialty prepares graduates to teach patient care to the next generation of nurses.
Public Health
Unlike other specialties that emphasize one-on-one patient care, an M.S.N. in public health teaches nurses to identify a community’s medical needs. It also teaches them how to advocate for policies that ensure equitable healthcare access. Public health nurses educate the public on disease prevention and overall health promotion.
M.S.N. Bridge Programs
Most M.S.N. programs are B.S.N.-to-M.S.N. programs, admitting students who have bachelor’s degrees in nursing. An A.D.N.-to-M.S.N. bridge program is a pathway for nurses with associate degrees to obtain master’s qualifications quickly. This program type does not require a B.S.N. to apply, and learners can complete their studies in as little as three years. However, M.S.N. specialties can extend completion time.
An A.D.N.-to-M.S.N. bridge program is rigorous as it combines B.S.N. and M.S.N. coursework at an accelerated pace. Students may waive some courses by transferring credits from previous institutions.
Careers for M.S.N. Graduates
A master’s in nursing can help graduates pursue a variety of leadership and advanced practice roles. We sourced the below career data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Projections Central.
Nurse Anesthetist
Median Annual Salary: $203,090
Projected Job Growth (2022–32): 9%
Job Description: Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia and pain management care to patients before and after surgery and other medical procedures.
Nurse Educator
Median Annual Salary: $78,580
Projected Job Growth (2020–30): 22.5%
Job Description: Nurse educators train undergraduate or graduate-level nursing students in patient management and advocacy.
Nurse Midwife
Median Annual Salary: $120,880
Projected Job Growth (2022–32): 6%
Job Description: Nurse midwives provide primary prenatal and maternity care to pregnant patients. They provide surgical assistance during cesarean births, manage labor-related emergencies and educate patients on reproductive health.
Nurse Practitioner
Median Annual Salary: $121,610
Projected Job Growth (2022–32): 45%
Job Description: What is a nurse practitioner? A nurse practitioner provides primary or acute care to patients and their families, depending on the specialty. In some states, NPs may prescribe medication and work independently. However, they often collaborate with other medical personnel to provide advanced nursing care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Master’s in Nursing Degrees
What jobs can an M.S.N. get?
An M.S.N. opens up stable and high-paying opportunities for nurses as nurse educators, clinical nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, nurse researchers, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists.
What do nurses with M.S.N.s do?
Nurses with M.S.N.s can choose to remain in clinical practice as advanced practice registered nurses or pursue roles in academia and administration.
Is an M.S.N. in nursing worth it?
For many nurses, M.S.N. in nursing is worth the investment. Earning an M.S.N. can lead to lucrative jobs making almost $80,000 to over $200,000 per year on average. It also qualifies students to pursue the highest academic qualification in nursing—a doctor of nursing practice degree.
What is a nurse with a master’s called?
Depending on the specializations they pursue, nurses with master’s degrees can have several different job titles. This degree can lead to careers such as advanced practice registered nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse educator, clinical nurse leader, or nurse administrator or manager.
What type of nurse is most in demand?
Nurse practitioners are not only the fastest-growing nursing occupation in the U.S.— they tie with wind turbine service technicians as the country’s fastest-growing profession in any sector, with a projected growth rate of 45% from 2022 to 2032 according to the BLS. Nurses need a master’s degree in nursing to qualify for this high-demand role.
