Nursing continues to be a popular and exciting career path in the caring professions. It’s easy to see why.
Not only does the demand for healthcare professionals continue to stay strong, but opportunities for career advancement abound for those who are willing to pursue further education. Completion of a registered nurse (RN) program and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is just the beginning of a career filled with endless possibilities.
Modern nurses must have the clinical skills necessary to care for patients, but they often find themselves at the forefront of new technologies and advances in evidence-based medicine. Graduate-level nursing education prepares nurses to take on greater responsibility, giving them the needed preparation to meet new demands and fill specialized roles in various areas of practice.
An RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program, as offered online by The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), is an attainable educational goal that provides students with several potential benefits including the following four:
- Know-How for a Variety of Settings and Leadership Roles
Professionals with an MSN degree have a multitude of career options in both direct and indirect care positions. On the direct care side, such roles include public health nurses who serve their communities in collaboration with local leaders, teachers and local healthcare providers. Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) perform high-level analysis of patient care, coordinating risk assessment, evidence-based medicine and team communication at the patient level.
Indirect care positions include nurse informaticists who assist in the management of healthcare information through the application of healthcare, computer, information and cognitive sciences. Nurse administrators provide leadership for various practice types, ranging from small nursing teams to large medical systems. Nurse educators bring their passion for patient care to the classroom, preparing the next generation of nurses both through instruction and research.
- Research Skills to Shape the Future of Healthcare
With an increased focus on evidence-based medicine, the need for cutting-edge research in the field of nursing continues to grow. As mentioned above, nurse educators can contribute to the future of nursing in this way. Public health nurses and nurse researchers also perform this necessary work.
An MSN degree gives you the knowledge to conduct research, assess and analyze outcomes, present your findings at conferences, publish in scholarly journals, and provide consulting services to healthcare organizations. Through research you may shape the way nursing is practiced and improve the point of care for a great number of patients around the world.
- Pay Boost and Job Security
It is often said that education is an investment in yourself. Given the affordability of online graduate degree programs, this has never been more true. According to PayScale, the average base salary for MSNs is $97,000 a year, almost $30,000 more than the average base salary for an RN without the MSN degree.
The value of an MSN degree extends beyond the number on a paycheck, however. MSNs have much needed know-how in a growing and changing healthcare environment focused on what nurses can do as healthcare providers. With the knowledge and experience gained by earning an MSN degree, nurses become a vital part of the organizations they lead and serve.
- Increased Employability by Magnet Facilities
The Magnet Recognition Program, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), bestows Magnet status to organizations that recognize “the invaluable potential of nurses to lead healthcare change.”
Magnet-recognized organizations foster a collaborative environment with a focus on excellence in nursing. As a result, Magnet facilities boast lower employee turnover, lower rates of burnout and greater job satisfaction for nurses. Overall quality and safety improve, as do patient outcomes.
To qualify for Magnet status, healthcare organizations must employ well-equipped nurse managers and leaders. Earning an MSN degree demonstrates advanced knowledge and dedication to your career, making you a prime candidate for these positions.
Go from RN to BSN to MSN in One Program
UTA’s online RN to MSN online program is an efficient and innovative one that fast tracks students through two degrees — past a BSN and onto an MSN. It opens up exciting new career paths for nurses to explore. An advanced degree program in nursing can set students up for success along an entire spectrum of careers within the nursing field.
Learn more about The University of Texas at Arlington’s online MSN programs.
