{"id":11815,"date":"2024-01-05T10:03:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huangshizhaopin.com\/academics\/graduate-programs\/nursing\/?page_id=11815"},"modified":"2024-01-05T10:03:01","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:03:01","slug":"should-i-get-my-msn","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/huangshizhaopin.com\/academics\/graduate-programs\/nursing\/should-i-get-my-msn\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Get My MSN?\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you a registered nurse thinking about how to advance your career and take on more responsibilities? Perhaps you\u2019re an undergraduate nursing student considering whether to enter the job market right away or continue your education. Wherever you are in your nursing journey, earning a Master of Science in Nursing could be a great investment in your professional future.<\/p>\n

But you may be wondering what the benefits are to holding an MSN degree, and whether you need to specialize in a certain field, such as adult gerontology, to expand your career opportunities. From an increased nursing salary to new career paths, there are so many reasons why adding a Master of Science in Nursing to your credentials can take your career to the next level, especially with a specialty like adult gerontology.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at what an MSN degree program entails, as well as a few of the advantages to earning an MSN degree to help you think about how to prepare for the field that\u2019s right for you. We\u2019ll also look at a few of the nursing jobs that an MSN degree can lead to and why you should consider earning your Master of Science in Nursing at Saint Peter\u2019s University.<\/p>\n

What Is a Master of Science in Nursing?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re like many students with a BSN or who work as RNs, you may be wondering what kinds of Master of Science in Nursing programs there are, and what kind of commitment you have to make to earn one. Many programs offer several program types to accommodate a wide variety of nurses and students\u2014no matter their education or professional background.<\/p>\n

Make sure to research these different program options to see which one is ideal for you based on your level of education and experience. If you know that you are interested in a specific specialty\u2014such as gerontology or rehabilitative care\u2014 you may want to seek out an MSN degree program with that specialty focus, enabling you to stand out for roles in your area of interest.<\/p>\n

Here are a few of the most popular MSN degree options:<\/p>\n

Traditional Master of Science in Nursing<\/h3>\n

Most nursing programs will offer an MSN degree designed for RNs who hold a bachelor\u2019s degree in nursing. These programs range in length from two to four years and should include hands-on training under the guidance of expert faculty.<\/p>\n

RN to MSN Bridge<\/h3>\n

Not all types of nurses hold a bachelor\u2019s degree in nursing. Most RN to MSN bridge programs will let RNs with bachelor\u2019s degrees in a field other than nursing complete the required courses to enter a traditional MSN degree program in about 14 to 21 months without having to earn a BSN first.<\/p>\n

Post-Master\u2019s Specialization<\/h3>\n

Certain types of nurses require specialized certificates to provide care to specific age or health groups\u2014such as infants, the elderly or individuals in rehabilitative programs. If you have an MSN degree and know that you want to go into adult gerontology or rehabilitation, earning a post-master\u2019s degree may be the best next step for you.<\/p>\n

Advantages of Earning a Master of Science in Nursing<\/h2>\n

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing is a major commitment of your time and energy, but it can be well worth the investment for several reasons. These include:<\/p>\n

A Higher Nursing Salary<\/h3>\n

RNs with a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/a> on average earn an annual salary of about $81,000\u2014according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Compare this with the average salary of nurse practitioners with an MSN degree<\/a>, which is around $126,000.<\/p>\n

Many advanced nursing jobs can lead to even further salary increases as you gain more experience.<\/p>\n

A Better Career Outlook<\/h3>\n

With the advanced skills and knowledge that you\u2019ll gain in a Master of Science in Nursing program, you\u2019ll have more options for nursing jobs throughout the healthcare industry. According to the BLS, job growth for registered nurses is expected to reach 6 percent by 2032. That\u2019s about average for all occupations. Job growth for nurse practitioners, on the other hand, is expected to reach 38 percent over the same time\u2014more than six times that of RNs.<\/p>\n

More Leadership Positions<\/h3>\n

In addition to earning a higher nursing salary, you will also enjoy the professional freedom and leadership roles that come with the expertise of having an MSN degree. For example, nurse practitioners can serve as primary care providers, which means that they can also open their own practices. Certain fields\u2014including adult gerontology\u2014will continue to grow, thanks to an aging population that is remaining more active later in life.<\/p>\n

You may also be wondering how to become a nurse administrator. Holding a Master of Science in Nursing can help you become a nurse manager or administrator, letting you oversee a team of nurses and make impactful decisions about healthcare policies in your hospital or clinic.<\/p>\n

Nursing Jobs With a Master of Science in Nursing<\/h2>\n

Now that you know about the kinds of MSN degree programs and the advantages to earning one, let\u2019s look at the types of nurses that hold a Master of Science in Nursing:<\/p>\n

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner<\/h3>\n

A major reason why the job outlook for nurse practitioners is so great is the combination of a rapidly aging population and dearth of healthcare providers to meet this rising need.<\/p>\n

By 2030, every individual of the Baby Boomer generation will be age 65 or older\u2014according to the United States Census Bureau. This means that there will continue to be an unprecedented need for nurse practitioners who are specialized in adult gerontology who can assist these patients with maintaining their independence as they age and address the illnesses and injuries that are associated with aging.<\/p>\n

Adult gerontology nurse practitioners work in a wide range of settings\u2014including hospitals, clinics, community outreach programs, retirement homes and hospice facilities. As an adult gerontology nurse, you can also work with adults from age 12 and up, meaning that you can put your skills to use helping more patients.<\/p>\n

Family Nurse Practitioner<\/h3>\n

Family nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who are specially trained to work with families and individuals of every age. If you are interested in developing long-term relationships with patients and watching them grow over time, becoming a family nurse practitioner may be one of the best nursing jobs for you.<\/p>\n

As a family nurse practitioner, your duties could range from maintaining patient records and performing physical exams to developing treatment plans and treating acute and chronic illnesses. You could work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as community health centers, outpatient clinics, private practices, hospitals and universities.<\/p>\n

Nurse Administrator<\/h3>\n

If you enjoy interacting with patients but would prefer to focus on the business aspect of healthcare and nursing, you should consider administration or management as a career path after receiving your Master of Science in Nursing. Nurse administrators take on many responsibilities within their hospitals and clinics, some of which include hiring and training nurses, preparing and maintaining budgets, and scheduling.<\/p>\n

Some nurse administrators can oversee teams at multiple hospitals within a local system, and thus they may spend part of their time traveling between hospitals.<\/p>\n

Advance Your Nursing Career With an MSN Degree from Saint Peter\u2019s<\/h2>\n

The Master of Science in Nursing programs available at Saint Peter\u2019s University will help you build the expertise needed to assist more patients and take on greater responsibilities. We\u2019ve created several programs to work with all types of nurses and students, no matter their schedules or where they live. Each of our MSN degree programs emphasizes adult gerontology nurse practice to prepare you to care for one of the largest generations ever as they age.<\/p>\n

Master of Science in Nursing programs we offer include:<\/p>\n