Nursing

BSN vs. MSN: Nursing Degrees Explained

Written by: University of Tulsa • Sep 6, 2024

A smiling nurse with two other caregivers in the background.

BSN vs. MSN: Nursing Degrees Explained

As the number of nurses across the country grows, the demand for accessible degree programs that prepare registered nurses (RNs) for fulfilling careers as health care professionals rises. Comparing degrees at the undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and graduate (Master of Science in Nursing) levels is critical. An understanding of BSN vs. MSN degrees is essential for students to receive the education required to fulfill their aspirations and reach their goals.

BSN and MSN degree programs both prepare students to work in the growing field of health care, but an MSN opens the door to countless new opportunities in leadership, education, and clinical practice.

Why Nursing Education Matters by the Numbers

Nursing is the largest American health care profession. The United States had more than 4 million nurses as of 2022, according to the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW), with the number of RNs growing by 3% between 2018 and 2022, and the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) and nurse midwives growing by 38% and 21%, respectively.

The number of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), declined by almost 9% in the same time period, highlighting even further the demand for highly trained and skilled professionals with the training and experience required to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. More employers than ever choose to hire baccalaureate-educated nurses. While RNs with Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) degrees still exist, there is evidence that RNs who earn BSN degrees can yield more opportunities, higher pay, and better job security.

A comparison of BSN and MSN degrees makes clear that both prepare students for rewarding careers in nursing, whether they choose clinical practice or clerical and administrative roles. However, the differences are significant, and in today’s health care and workforce environments, those differences matter.

Similarities in BSN and MSN Degrees

Several paths lead to registered nursing, including BSN and MSN degrees. Other options include RN to BSN programs for RNs who haven’t yet earned a baccalaureate degree, and RN to MSN programs for BSN graduates interested in earning a graduate degree. Each of these programs offers RN preparation, but the higher the level of education, the more skills an aspiring RN will learn.

The similarities include the following:

Coursework covering nursing concepts
Foundational instruction in human anatomy and physiology
Training in health care laws and ethics
Assessment and leadership training
Hands-on training, including practicums, clinicals, or labs designed to help students apply their new skills in real-world scenarios

Both BSN and MSN programs offer students the opportunity to tailor at least some of their education to their own interests, either through elective courses that provide specific skill sets in a BSN program or through MSN degree program tracks that allow students to focus on aspects of nursing, such as leadership, education, or public health.

Exploring the Differences Between BSN vs. MSN Degrees

For all their similarities, the differences in BSN and MSN degree programs can significantly impact an aspiring nurse’s future career. From admissions requirements to concentrations to potential career outcomes, their differences are significant.

Admissions Requirements

To enter a BSN nursing program, candidates must have a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a GED diploma. They must also meet the school’s academic requirements, which can vary. Some schools may require BSN students to provide proof of professional liability and health insurance or consent to criminal background checks.

Most MSN programs require a BSN degree and a valid, unencumbered RN license for admission. In some cases, RNs with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing may be considered for admission.

Program Duration

A BSN degree is a four-year program for high school graduates that includes both nursing coursework and general education. In terms of credit hours, the typical BSN graduate must earn 120, though this number can vary from one state or school to the next.

An MSN program, on the other hand, takes about two years to complete, or between 30 and 60 credit hours. Other factors that can influence the time it takes to earn a BSN or an MSN degree include the following:

Previous Education: Students who’ve taken some college-level courses, including nursing courses, may qualify for credit transfers that can reduce the cost and time investment required to earn a BSN or an MSN. For example, baccalaureate-educated students who are making a career change to nursing may receive credit for previous coursework.
Program Type: Contemporary nursing education includes far more than just the standard BSN and MSN degrees. RN to BSN degrees, for example, can take as little as 12 months to complete, and RN to MSN degrees can take 24 to 36 months.
Enrollment Status: Some schools offer flexible programs designed to allow working RNs to earn their degrees at their own pace. Accelerated BSN programs , on the other hand, can help aspiring nurses with bachelor’s degrees in other fields earn their baccalaureate degrees in as little as 18 months.

Curriculum

The American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN) defines the curriculum guidelines included in BSN and MSN degree programs. As long as these guidelines are followed, schools can develop their own curriculum, so no two schools will have the same course list or delivery.

According to AACN, a BSN program must include a curriculum covering the following:

Basic leadership skills designed to promote patient safety and quality care
Evidence-based academics
Instruction on information management, including technology for patient care
Health care laws and regulations
Health care finance basics
Communication and collaboration
Population health and clinical prevention
Professional ethics
Baccalaureate-level nursing practices

AACN asks that MSN programs focus on the following nine areas:

A clinical practice background rooted in science and humanities
Organizational leadership
Quality improvement and patient safety
Converting scholarship into nursing practice
Health policy and advocacy
Informatics and health technology
Optimizing results with clinical prevention and population health
Advanced collaboration for improving health outcomes in patients and populations
Master’s-level nursing practices

Opportunities for Advanced Education

Both BSN and MSN programs prepare students for advanced education, but an MSN degree makes it much easier to pursue one of two terminal doctorate degrees in nursing — a Doctorate of Science in Nursing (DSN) or a PhD in Nursing. Most who apply for doctorate-level programs have already earned their master’s degrees, but students who have a BSN or nonnursing master’s degree may be admitted in some situations.

Specializations

A BSN degree program is designed to prepare RNs to work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, urgent care centers, nursing homes, schools, and even prisons. Specialized courses may be available in some settings, but BSN programs don’t generally offer nurses the option to concentrate in an area.

MSN programs, on the other hand, prepare RNs for specific roles or nursing fields. For example, some MSN program specializations may help RNs become NPs or midwives, while others focus more on policy, leadership, or informatics.

Salaries

Salary potential is an important consideration when comparing BSN vs. MSN degrees. According to Payscale, BSN degree graduates earn a median annual salary of about $95,000 as of August 2024, while MSN graduates earn about $104,000 as of July 2024.

Numerous other factors can impact salary, including level of experience, specialization, geographic location, and employer.

Career Outcomes for BSN vs. MSN Degrees

The career opportunities and outcomes for BSN vs. MSN graduates are significantly different in scope of practice, risk, responsibility, pay, and job outlook. Students should understand the educational requirements for their chosen professions and choose their programs accordingly.

Careers for BSN Graduates

Exploring what you can do with a BSN is essential for determining whether this degree path is the right choice. Three popular and diverse BSN careers are registered nursing, medical writing, and nurse management.

Registered Nurse

RNs are responsible for many aspects of patient care. They work in a wide range of settings, from hospitals to prisons, and they may be responsible for monitoring patient health, wound care, the administration of immunizations, educating patients about their diagnoses and treatments, and serving as patient advocates.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for RNs was $86,070 in 2023, with those working in government settings earning significantly more at just under $100,000. The BLS projects that employment of RNs will grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, indicating excellent job security.

Nurse Writer

A nurse writer is a technical writer who creates print and digital documents covering the field of nursing. These individuals are well versed in both nursing and research, and their work can reach countless professionals. Their work is essential to providing up-to-date information about technology, products, and clinical findings that can improve patient outcomes, reduce risk, and increase revenue.

Nurse writers must be licensed RNs with several years of experience in clinical settings. Those who aspire to become nurse writers should pursue a BSN, obtain RN licensure, and choose a health care specialty that resonates with their interests. Obtaining the Medical Writer Certified (MWC) credential from the Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC), in collaboration with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA), is optional, but it can improve employability by demonstrating a writer’s commitment and knowledge.

The BLS reports that technical writers, including nurse writers, earned a median annual salary of $80,050 in May 2023. The highest 10% of earners, representing exceptionally skilled and experienced writers, made more than $129,440. Employment of technical writers is expected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032 as innovations continue to emerge.

Nurse Manager

Nurse managers are clinical coordinators who ensure that the nursing staff meets the needs of the patients and facility. They’re responsible for enforcing health-related regulations and policies, scheduling staff, conducting performance reviews, taking disciplinary action, and implementing new policies or procedures as dictated by senior management.

The median annual salary for nurse managers was about $95,810 as of July 2024, according to Payscale, with the highest 10% earning more than $129,000. The BLS predicts that employment of medical and health services managers, including nurse managers, will rise by an astonishing 28% between 2022 and 2023, making it a fast-growing role with security.

Careers for MSN Graduates

Comparing career paths for BSN vs. MSN graduates demonstrates that those with a master’s degree have access to more demanding roles with higher salaries. In some cases, their advanced education can provide additional job security. Three of the most popular career choices are nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and informatics nurse specialist.

Charge Nurse

Charge nurses work with and oversee specific nursing units. They may guide their units through new or difficult situations and ensure that all nursing operations are running as they should be. This includes maintaining necessary protocols, managing shift changes, and evaluating members of staff.

According to Payscale, charge nurses earn an average annual salary of $82,230 as of August 2024. The top 10% of earners can make an annual average salary of more than $114,000. The BLS notes that RNs, including charge nurses, are projected to experience a 6% job growth between 2022 and 2032, which is higher than average.

Chief Nursing Officer

Chief nursing officers (CNOs) are executive level nursing professionals who oversee all nursing practices within health care organizations. They are usually the highest level nursing professionals in their organizations, and they maintain standards and compliance for all nursing activities in their respective settings. They usually report directly to chief executive officers (CEOs), directors, or presidents of the organization they work in.

Payscale reports that CNOs earn an average annual salary of $144,480 as of July 2024. The top 10% of earners within this profession can earn an annual average salary of more than $222,000. The BLS also reports that careers for medical and health services managers, which includes CNOs, are projected to grow by 28% between 2022 and 2032.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators may work in universities teaching nursing basics to college-level students, but they can also work for health networks and hospitals educating nurses or providing guidance on continuing education. They may be responsible for creating learning policies for their organizations, developing patient care systems based on specific facility or patient population needs, and more.

Nurse educators earned a median annual salary of about $84,740 as of August 2024, according to Payscale. The highest 90% of earners made more than $114,000, likely representing their experience and effectiveness as educators. According to the BLS, positions for postsecondary teachers in health specialties, including nurse educators, are expected to increase by 19% between 2022 and 2032 as demand for quality education for aspiring and existing nurses continues to grow.

Informatics Nurse Specialist

Informatics nurse specialists, sometimes called simply informatics nurses, use their clinical experience to improve the way electronic health records (EHRs) are created, stored, used, and shared. They identify needs related to computers and networks and then propose solutions. They also serve as liaisons between a facility’s senior management and technology vendors, ensuring that the facility has what it needs to keep EHRs accurate and safe.

The median annual salary for informatics nurses was about $84,730 as of June 2024, according to Payscale, with the highest 10% earning more than $111,000. The BLS predicts that employment of health information technologists and medical registrars, including informatics nurses, will rise by 16% between 2022 and 2032, driven by the volume of EHRs generated nationwide.

Unlock Your Potential With an MSN Degree

While some students may choose to pursue BSN degrees and become RNs working to keep their communities healthy and safe, others go on to earn MSN degrees and open their own private practices in pediatrics or family medicine. A master’s degree opens the door to countless new opportunities, giving you the freedom to choose your specialty or pursue a doctorate in the future.

The University of Tulsa’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers three specialty tracks — Leadership and Innovation, Education and Elevation, and Public Health Global Vision — to help you choose the career path that’s right for you. Discover how you can become a CNO, a nurse educator, an informatics nurse specialist, or any number of other careers and expand your potential with an MSN degree.

Recommended Readings

MSN vs. RN: Why Earn an Advanced Degree?

Innovation in Nursing: 4 Current Trends

Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Curriculum Guidelines

American Medical Writers Association, Certification

American Medical Writers Association, Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Medical Writer

American Nurses Association Enterprise Hub, “Charge Nurse vs. Nurse Manager: What’s the Difference?”

American Nurses Association, “What Is a Chief Nursing Officer / Chief Nurse Executive?”

American Nurse Journal, “Support for the BSN”

Health Resources and Services Administration, “State of the U.S. Healthcare Workforce, 2023”