There has never been a more exciting time in nursing, especially for those seeking personal and professional advancement through earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Although nursing jobs in general are in high demand, nurses with advanced degrees in certain roles are even more sought-after. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of nurse practitioners will increase 46% from 2023 to 2033, making it one of the three fastest growing occupations in the country.
Of course, these advanced nursing jobs require substantive education and training, particularly so for registered nurses (RNs) who do not yet have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Thankfully, there are affordable bridge programs such as the online RN to MSN program from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), offering flexible, accelerated pathways toward an advanced nursing degree. So, what are some of the MSN jobs for nurses that they could not do with an associate or even a bachelor’s degree?
Nurse Administrator or Manager
With an expanding and complex healthcare environment, new nursing leaders will need the training to navigate these uncharted waters. Nurse administrators will require further education to learn ways to solve problems, integrate technologies, optimize processes and manage personnel. Although MSN jobs are often seen as a step away from the bedside, these positions have a far-reaching impact on patient care.
Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Midwife
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must obtain a graduate degree before beginning practice. These nurses provide and coordinate care independently or in collaboration with physicians. Many states allow them to prescribe medications, order medical tests and diagnose health issues. Nurse practitioners may have the opportunity to start their own practice, and even have full practice authority in over half of the country’s states and territories. These highly specialized MSN jobs provide nurses with a great deal of autonomy and allow them to work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices.
Nurse Educator
Nurses are natural teachers. They educate their patients every day and are skilled communicators within their teams. Therefore, a natural progression for many nurses leads to nursing education. This MSN job allows nurses to share their knowledge and experience with future nurses and their peers. They train students but also work within healthcare settings assisting the staff in maintaining competencies.
Currently, nurse educators are in high demand, as they are pivotal players in addressing the ongoing nursing shortage. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) more than 65,000 qualified nursing program applications were turned away for admission in 2023, in large part due to a shortage of nursing faculty. Clearly, there is a significant need for nurse educators, now and for years to come.
Although many may feel intimidated when considering returning to school to earn an advanced degree, they should know that it has never been more convenient. The online delivery format of UTA’s CCNE-accredited RN to MSN program eases many of the potential burdens of continuing nursing education. By allowing the working student to proceed at their own pace and on their own schedule, the programs offer a more convenient path to success. With so many exciting and challenging MSN jobs, nurses seeking professional advancement have more opportunities than ever to make significant impacts on healthcare and the lives of the patients they serve.
Learn more about UTA’s online RN to MSN program.
