Types of Master’s in Nursing Degrees to Consider
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Jan 6, 2025
Types of Master’s in Nursing Degrees to Consider
The first graduate program in nursing was developed in 1954. What began as an advanced degree in psychiatric nursing has evolved into an expansive number of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs across the country.
Nursing professionals who want to advance their careers should consider the different types of master’s in nursing degrees, such as a master’s in nursing (MSN) , which can lead to higher-paying leadership and clinical roles within health care. By earning an MSN, nurses can expand their expertise and qualify for roles that offer them the opportunity to shape patient care, influence policy, and lead health care teams.
MSN Degree Options
Nurses who pursue an MSN gain the skills and knowledge they need to move into leadership and advanced roles. These graduate degree programs offer a range of specializations to prepare RNs for career advancement in specialized clinical fields. Graduate courses provide the proficiency required to shape health care policy, lead patient care teams, and drive innovation across various health care settings.
Nurses can also enter MSN programs with different backgrounds or experience levels. Nurses who have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can enroll in a traditional or online MSN program. Nurses with their registered nurse (RN) license who did not complete a BSN can also choose to pursue an RN to MSN pathway program , which helps them earn their BSN and MSN together.
MSN degrees also have focuses and specializations that can prepare students for specific career tracks or areas of practice.
Leadership and Innovation
An MSN program with a track focusing on leadership and innovation teaches nurses essential skills in areas such as budgeting, staffing, performance measurement, and interdisciplinary measurement. The expertise gained in this area of focus prepares nurses for a career in nurse administration, health care management, or other leadership roles where strategic oversight and team management are crucial.
This degree can lead to a high-level nursing role such as a nurse manager position in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility, responsible for overseeing nursing teams and ensuring patients receive quality care. According to Payscale, nurse managers had a median annual salary of about $96,500 as of October 2024.
Education and Elevation
By earning an MSN with an emphasis on education and elevation, nurses can become effective educators by learning about pedagogical theories, teaching strategies, curriculum design, and evaluation methods. This advanced training empowers nurses to shape the next generation of health care professionals and improve educational practices in clinical settings.
A specialization in education is ideal for those looking to train and mentor future nurses or lead educational initiatives within health care organizations.
Graduates can apply their skills in various settings, from academic institutions to hospital education departments, as nursing instructors or clinical nurse educators. Nursing instructors train nursing students in clinical and classroom settings. Postsecondary nursing instructors had a median annual salary of about $80,780 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Public Health Global Vision
In the rewarding field of public health, nurses help create healthy living conditions for people in their community or around the world. Through an MSN program that focuses on public health, nurses can gain important leadership and communication skills that prepare them to handle budgeting, staffing, and performance assessments within public health settings.
This specialization often focuses on strategic leadership and cross-cultural competency that prepares nurses to lead and manage public health projects and teams domestically or internationally. Graduates can pursue roles in global health organizations, government agencies, or nonprofit groups.
These positions offer competitive salaries, with opportunities for advancement in the growing fields of community and international health. One job option for MSN graduates in this area of specialization is public health nursing director. Public health nursing directors had a median annual salary of about $100,200 as of October 2024, according to Payscale.
How an MSN Program Works
There are different types of master’s in nursing degree programs that advance nurses’ professional development offered in person and online. Students can benefit from an accelerated curriculum that allows them to graduate within a streamlined time frame.
MSN programs help RNs build on their existing credentials and experience. Their curricula combine core nursing courses with specialized clinical, leadership, or education-focused classes. The programs prepare RNs for advanced roles in health care, from clinical leadership roles to positions in specialized nursing fields, in a flexible and supportive environment. By gaining advanced skills and knowledge, nurses can contribute significantly to improving patients’ care and health outcomes.
These programs typically include opportunities for hands-on learning. The connections made with peers and faculty through these opportunities can enhance students’ professional networks in the health care industry. Ultimately, earning an MSN equips RNs with the tools to take on leadership positions and influence the future of nursing practice.
Advance Your Nursing Career
You’ve proven you have what it takes to thrive in the challenging but rewarding profession of nursing. The University of Tulsa’s online MSN and RN to MSN programs allow you to build on that success through a core curriculum that emphasizes the three Ps: pathophysiology, health promotion, and pharmacology.
At TU, you’ll receive personalized support from experienced faculty who understand your goals and help guide you toward achieving them. Graduates of TU’s RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program or Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program receive priority admission into the online MSN.
Seize the opportunity at The University of Tulsa. Apply now to advance your nursing career.
Recommended Readings
Community Nursing: Roles and Impact
Nursing Manager: Salary and Job Description
Nursing Professional Development: Opportunities for BSN Graduates
Sources:
Center for American Progress, “How Investing in Public Health Will Strengthen America’s Health”
Indeed, A Guide to MSN Nursing Programs
Payscale, Average Director, Nursing Salary
