MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)

Compared to regular RNs, nurses with an MSN degree enjoy a host of professional and personal development opportunities. Better income, greater respect and more job opportunities are just a couple of the benefits that graduates can enjoy. None of this comes for free, as acquiring your MSN will take additional education, training and experience. 

 

With all this in mind, you may be interested about acquiring your MSN yet unsure as to whether or not it is worth it. To help you out, this guide will go over everything you need to know about the degree, including its benefits, costs, specializations and more. 

 

Benefits

 

An MSN opens a host of exciting avenues and opportunities for HCPs. For one, the pay is significantly higher. At the time of writing, Payscale reports that BSN nurses earn $89,000 yearly while the MSN holders hold a medium pay of around $96,000. MSNs who become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have the opportunity to earn even more. 

 

Getting your Masters also expands your horizons, professionally. MSN nurses can find work both in clinical and non-clinical settings.You can become an APRN, a manager, a nurse educator and more. While general practice is still an option, furthering your education gives you the chance to specialize in an area of study. Within just the field of advanced practice nursing, specialities include Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Midwifery. With your MSN, it can feel as if the sky's the limit. 

 

 On the subject of career mobility, MSN nurses have far more career mobility. In order to achieve “magnet” status, high-level facilities are constantly looking to fill nurse manager or nurse leader positions with MSN graduates. Compared to Regular RNs, you will have a much easier time climbing up the career ladder in this regard. 

 

Last, but not least, is self-improvement. MSN nurses have been found to reduce mortality rates and improve failure-to-rescue ratios for their facilities. At the end of the day, providing life-saving care to those in need is the beating heart of nursing. Getting your MSN not only helps you, but it helps the patients that you serve everyday. 

 

Curriculum

 

All MSN programs have to follow the framework of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), as detailed in The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. Even if specifics will vary from school to school, these programs are expected to cover certain essential curriculum points and core competencies required for an MSN to improve and carry out healthcare practice. This outline emphasizes

 

9 key points in particular: 

 

Informatics and Healthcare Technologies 

Health Policy and Advocacy 

Organizational and Systems Leadership 

Quality Improvement and Safety 

Translating and Integrating Scholarship into Practice 

Master’s-Level Nursing Practice

Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities 

Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient 

and Population Health Outcomes  

Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving Health 

 

Your classes will cover a wide variety of content. This includes statistics, health policy and advocacy, advanced research and more. Regardless of your specialization, you can expect to take the following core topics: 

 

Policy

Healthcare economics

Nursing theory

Health promotion

Ethics

Disease prevention

Research

Social issues

 

As mentioned above, MSN graduates can choose to work in clinical or non-clinical settings. Most programs are specialized in preparing you for one, but not the other. 

 

Clinical

 

Clinically-inclined nurses work to become APRNs, and within this field there are four main roles: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Anesthetist and Nurse Practitioner. MSN nurses can also choose to specialize further into specific patient populations, such as: 

 

Neonatal

Family or Individual Across the Lifespan

Adult-Gerontology (Primary or Acute)

Pediatrics (Primary or Acute)

Psychiatric

 

APRNs can specialize even further into areas like emergency medicine or oncology. In addition to your base MSN curriculum, you also have to complete additional courses in advanced pharmacology, advanced physiology and advanced health assessments. 

 

Non-clinical

 

For those who want to work outside of the clinic, there are three main options. It is important to note that all three of them have separate administrative bodies, with their own required core competencies (on top of the base MSN curriculum):

 

Nurse administrators are the executives, managers and clinical leaders who oversee healthcare companies. The curriculum outlined by American Organization of Nurse Executives stresses communication, relationship management, leadership and professionalism, business acumen and healthcare industry knowledge.

 

Nursing informatics encompasses information management and communications experts. These HCPs gather, process and analyze patient data in order to advance healthcare practices and public health knowledge. The curriculum outlined by the Healthcare Leadership Alliance emphasizes communications, leadership and professionalism, relationship management, healthcare industry knowledge and business savvy.

 

Nurse educators are the teachers and faculty members in charge of training and preparing aspiring HCPs. Overseen by the National League of Nursing, essential core competencies include scholarship engagement, assessing and evaluating student outcomes and facilitating learning and learner development. 

 

Income and Benefits 

 

As mentioned earlier, MSN nurses are paid handsomely compared to their counterparts. Payscale reports a $96,000 median pay for MSN nurses as a whole. At the time of writing, the Bureau of Labor of Statistics reports that these advanced practice nurses enjoy a $117,670 annual salary. Nurse educators are paid around $80,000 on average, while those working in informatics earn around $86,000. While these are the reported averages, note that your salary in practice will heavily depend on geographical location, additional qualifications and years of experience.

In all three fields, however, MSN nurses are in extremely high demand. As a result, employers will offer generous benefits packages in order to retain key talent. Tuition reimbursement, holiday pay, sick leave and overtime compensation are just some of the benefits you can enjoy. 

 

Outlook

 

From 2020 to 2030, the BLS projects that there will be around 194,500 new annual job openings. Much of this can be attributed to the large nursing turnover expected to take place, as facilities hire to fill the new vacancies. This promising news for all aspiring nurses, yet MSN nurses are expected to be in even higher demand. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there is a growing physician shortage in the US that needs addressing. Though not completely the same, MSN APRNs fill the demand as autonomous healthcare workers who can serve areas in need. 

 

RN vs MSN

 

On the face of it, RNs with their MSNs have similar responsibilities to regular RNs. In a clinical setting, both of them provide healthcare services to the ill and beaten. This is where their similarities end, however, as MSNs enjoy a host of advantages. For one, MSNs have more options for work in non-clinical settings. As mentioned above, they can opt to work in education, leadership/executive roles, advanced research, informatics and even health policy.

 

In a clinical setting, APRNs with MSNs can take on tasks and responsibilities of traditional physicians while regular RNs cannot. This includes writing treatment plans, diagnosing and treating illnesses and prescribing medications. 

 

MSN Program Types

 

Students can pick from a variety of different MSN program tracks. What works best for you will depend on your educational background, work experience and your current situation. 

 

• Direct Entry MSN: Bachelor’s students with degrees outside of nursing can opt for this route. You will complete an 1-year, accelerated clinical skills program, followed by your 2-year Master’s course. 

• BSN to MSN: One of the more straightforward paths. Bachelor’s students with nursing degrees can complete this track in 18 to 24 months full time. These programs build on your prior clinical experience, and offer you the chance to specialize in your desired field. 

• RN to MSN: If you are an RN with your ADN, this is the best option for you. These programs build on your clinical experience, and integrate one year of Bachelor’s-level education, followed by two years of Masters’ studies. 

• Dual MSN: Some schools let MSN students take up another graduate course, alongside their nursing studies. This can be Business Administration or even Public Health. Program length will vary, depending on the courses taken. 

 

Online MSN Programs

 

Most MSN students already have prior professional and personal obligations. Balancing all these classes with full time studies is often impossible. Luckily, online MSN classes give students the flexibility to study while working. These classes are also faster and less expensive, compared to traditional on-campus classes.

 

As long as you choose a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this is as legitimate a path to becoming an MSN as anything else. 

 

Compared to more brick and mortar academic offerings, online education comes with a host of benefits.

 

• Added flexibility lets students pursue their education, while accommodating their professional and personal obligations. 

• Can be finished faster than a normal program

• There is no commute or enrollment waiting list

• Students can choose between part-time or full-time studies. 

• Eligible for financial aid programs

• Accessible regardless of location and less expensive than traditional MSN programs

 

Of course, you do not want to choose just any online program. You want to factor in the cost, reputation and personal convenience. For example, some programs require a certain number of in-person class hours, or clinical rotations at a specific facility. If you live far away and cannot accommodate for this, it is best to look elsewhere. 

 

Coursework

 

For Direct Entry MSN students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, you will start with lessons and clinical rotations that will catch you up to BSN-level proficiency. This will also prepare you for your NCLEX-RN, so that you can earn your nursing certification. Some of these classes include: 

 

• Nursing practice and public health

• Pharmacology/nutrition

• Nursing science

• Foundations of nursing practice

• Pathophysiology

 

The Masters-level courses themselves are more advanced. Programs will vary in focus and guiding principles, but all MSN classes will prepare you for leadership roles by offering holistic knowledge of the healthcare world at large. As a result, there are a number of skills and core competencies that all programs are expected to develop: 

 

• Critical thinking/Clinical judgment

• Technical skills like treatment and diagnosis

• Observation 

• High level communication skills for patient and team interactions 

 

MSN Requirements

 

Specifics will differ from school to school, but no matter where you apply the enrollment process will be extremely competitive. With limited slots and a rising demand for MSNs, nurses have no choice but to go above and beyond to make sure their applications stand out. 

 

Direct entry MSN programs will expect the following requirements from you: 

 

• Minimum undergraduate GPA (commonly 3.0 or higher)

• Updated Resume/CV

• GRE scores

• Essay of application

• Non-nursing bachelor’s degree 

 

You will also be asked to complete a number of pre-requisite courses: 

 

• Statistics

• Physiology

• Anatomy

• Microbiology

• Nutrition

 

For nurses who already have their ADN and BSN, the requirement list will look something like this: 

 

• Active U.S Registered Nurse license in good standing, acquired in your state of practice

• ADN or BSN

• Updated Resume/CV

• Letters of recommendation

• Completed application with all the necessary fees and documents (Transcripts from previous schools, resume, personal statement and/or essay) 

• Proof for awards, memberships, publications or additional accolades 

• Interview with faculty

• If needed, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 

 

Considerations before MSN enrollment 

 

On multiple levels, pursuing MSN is a huge investment. You should only commit to this path if you are 100% sure that you are absolutely ready. Before you decide, you need to at least consider the following

 

• Competitive Enrollment Process: MSN degrees are becoming more and more popular. With limited slots, this has resulted in a far more competitive enrollment process. Academically and professionally, standing out will require a lot of hard work and effort. 

• Time Commitment: Regardless of the path you take, getting your MSN will take a considerable amount of time. Acquiring the training and education necessary is a lengthy process, and you have to be prepared to make that commitment. 

• Pricey Tuitions: MSN programs are not cheap. Thankfully, there are a number of financial aid programs available to you. Thankfully, MSN nurses can often make up the costs of their tuition with their increased salaries. 

 

MSN Tuition Costs

 

Program tuition fees are highly variable. Generally, public schools are more expensive than private ones and online courses are more affordable than on-campus programs. Enrolling in in-state programs will also save you money, compared to costlier out-of-state MSN courses.

Per the Educational Data initiative, an MSN program costs $62,340 on average. Even cheaper programs will cost a pretty penny, although your increased salary will make up for the costs eventually.  

 

Financial Aid 

 

Most people cannot pay for MSN outright, in cash. This is why there are a host of financial aid programs available to students. The some of the most prominent program types include: 

 

Grant: A grant is a form of financial assistance that does not require repayment. Most commonly, they are given out by the federal government, state governing bodies and colleges. Alternatively, you can also find grants being offered by charity organizations, private companies, individuals and more. 

 

To find a grant you can qualify for, you have to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application. After some time, they will notify you on the programs you qualified for, sometimes through an acceptance letter. Though the exact amount of money provided depends on the grant itself and your financial situation, it typically sits at the $5,000 range for most students. Students in the most urgent financial need may also qualify for the Pell Grant. 

 

Scholarships: Like grants, a scholarship is a form of financial assistance that does not require repayment. Both private and public programs are available for the aspiring MSN student.You can do your research online to find suitable scholarships, but listed below are some of the more high profile examples. 

 

• ENA Academic Scholarship: Offered exclusively to members of the Emergency Nurses Association, this $1,000 to $5,000 scholarship is given to emergency nurses who want an MSN specializing in either Nurse Administration, Nurse Practitioner, Public Health or Nursing Education. 

• A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: $2000 provided for the academic year. Available to Native American students if they have a GPA of 3.0, are pursuing their STEM studies and are members of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. 

• ANNA Career Mobility Scholarship: Offered by the American Nephrology Nurses Association, this scholarship is awarded to students working towards a BSN or MSN in Nephrology. 

• CVS Together We Care Scholarship: CVS gives 20 MSN scholarships to students who want to become Nurse Practitioners. 

• AORN Foundation Scholarships: Provided by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, this scholarship is awarded to RNs continuing their perioperative nursing education by either pursuing their BSN, MSN or DNP. 

• AfterCollege/AACN $10,000 Scholarship Fund: $10,000 in scholarship funds are offered to students pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. There are special considerations for aspiring graduate students aiming to be nurse educators, as well as students completing a RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN and/or and an accelerated track. 

 

Student Loan

 

This is the most common form of student financial aid. Unlike scholarships or grants, you eventually have to repay your loan costs. Since these loans also incur interests, you usually end up paying more than the initial loan. Exact terms will depend on tender and a number of other factors. Among the various offers, federal loans are the most common and reliable. Since they are funded by the US Department of Education, interest rates are lower and there are less to no hidden fees. You can find out what loans you qualify for by sending your FAFSA application. If you are in significant financial need, you may qualify for a loan that does not gain interest until you graduate college. 

 

Meanwhile, private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions, educational institutions and other independent entities. For the most part, these loans are not subsidized and their interest rates are significantly higher. Because of the potential added cost, you have to shop around with scrutiny to find the best offers. Do not look at the offers at face value: evaluate hidden costs, what happens if you cannot keep up financially with later payments and how repayments are structured.

 

Payment Plans: If you want to pay for your DNP in cash, you can inquire about your school’s payment plans. You can inquire about this and any financial aid programs to your school. 

 

Location:

 

MSN-educated nurses can find work in a variety of settings.

 

• Hospitals

• Academic settings

• Support services

• Offices

• Pharmacies

• Community centers

• Urgent care centers

• Physician offices

• Long Term Care Facilities

• Home healthcare services

• Government facilities

 

In addition, there are a number of specializations that MSN nurses can focus on, including (but not limited to): 

 

• Pediatrics

• Emergency

• Hospice

• Rehabilitation

• Oncology

• Home Health

• Family medicine

• Adult-Gerontology

• Nurse Anesthesia

• Psychiatry

• Neonatal

 

Enrollment Steps

 

• Do your research: You want to make sure that you are choosing the best program for you. Look into programs that interest you and consider their location, reputation, competitiveness and cost. At a bare minimum, you want to ensure that they are accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). As soon as you have identified a handful of good schools, make a checklist of their application requirements and deadlines. 

• Prepare documents: Collect all relevant documentation, such as proof of graduation for submission, letters of recommendation, personal statements and more. 

• Apply to your accredited MSN programs of choice.

• Apply for financial aid, if necessary.

 

Should I pursue an MSN? 

 

Taking that next step does not come cheap, as getting your MSN is a lengthy and expensive process. However, those who stick with it are rewarded handsomely. Beyond the pay increase, more career mobility and chance for further specialization, the MSN provides an opportunity for growth as an HCP. Your nursing skills and understanding of healthcare as a whole will reach places that regular RNs could only dream of. If this all sounds interesting to you, then acquiring your MSN is definitely worth it.