Working as a registered nurse (RN) can be a fulfilling career. Yet, many opportunities await individuals who advance their education further. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree has a number of benefits for nursing professionals: higher compensation, advanced career and specialization opportunities, varied working hours, leadership potential and teaching positions.
Many programs help nursing professionals go from their RN to their Bachelor of Science (BSN) to their MSN degree in one program. William Paterson University’s four online RN to MSN programs help professionals gain in-demand skills for a fulfilling nursing career and take advantage of all the perks of an advanced degree. Students can choose from the following RN to MSN specializations: Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration or Nursing Education.
What Is an MSN Degree?
MSN degrees benefit not only individual nurses’ careers but also the entire healthcare facility in which they work. Of course, patients benefit from nurses’ higher education and expertise as well.
An article by Incredible Health explains, “an MSN degree is a graduate degree. Nurses pursue this degree to further specialize their skills and education in preparation for more advanced roles. Earning an MSN also allows them to seek out leadership or teaching positions within the nursing field.”
Each MSN degree program is unique and has a specific purpose. Every nurse has the potential to grow their expertise, but it is up to the individual to start their higher education journey in graduate school. Thankfully, those who want an RN to MSN degree can specialize in any number of areas depending on their interests.
Benefits Specific to MSN-Prepared Nurses
According to Indeed, the top benefits of MSN programs include — but are not limited to — the following:
Better salaries. Nurses with more experience and education are typically paid more than RNs with an Advanced Degree in Nursing (ADN) or BSN degree. This is because they have higher levels of specialization in a particular area within the nursing field.
Advanced job opportunities. Additionally, nurses with an MSN degree can advance into job opportunities that have more authority within healthcare facilities. Higher education also opens various certifications the nursing profession offers.
Leadership potential. MSN-prepared nurses looking to expand their administrative capacities can take on leadership roles within specific departments. Most MSN-prepared nurses are in charge of their own nursing units, leading a team of nurses.
Mentorship programs. MSN-prepared nurses are often mentors for other nurses. As mentors, they provide crucial support. Mentors also guide their nurses in elevating patient care.
Improved patient outcomes. Experienced nurses serve patients with an elevated level of care and compassion, namely because of the specialized education they receive.
Specializations and Salary
William Paterson University offers RN to MSN programs in four specialties, all of which afford graduates with the benefits listed above. Besides specializing in an area of interest, MSN-prepared nurses can earn significantly more than they would without an MSN degree.
Given the breadth of roles MSN-prepared nurses can pursue, there is no average salary figure for MSN-prepared nurses. However, those in advanced roles like clinical nurse managers can make an average of $112,551 annually. Actual salary may depend on different factors such as experience, demand and location of the nursing position or healthcare facility. Certain geographical areas provide higher salaries due to greater cost of living.
Level Up Your Nursing Expertise With a Master’s Degree
Those who enroll in one of the four online RN to MSN degree programs at William Paterson University will advance their nursing practice and specialize in a niche area of interest: adult gerontology, family nursing, nursing administration or nursing education. Students can graduate in as few as 18-28 months, depending on the degree program.
These intensive programs allow students to analyze systems’ responses to health and illness in order to improve the promotion, restoration and maintenance of health. Each course offers nurses the opportunity to apply evidence-based practice and deepen their impact on positive patient outcomes.
Each RN to MSN graduate will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter into influential roles in the healthcare field, such as informatics nurse, nurse educator, nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, nurse manager, charge nurse, patient educator or program manager. They can take on these roles with the confidence that they will have in-demand and honed skills in a specialized area, better salaries and job opportunities, more leadership and mentorship potential and with increased patient impact.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s RN to MSN online programs.
