What Is a MSN Degree (Masters of Science in Nursing)
What Is an MSN degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for registered nurses (RNs) will increase by 9% by the end of the decade. At the same time, the demand for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) will jump by 45% in the same period. Considering the significant increase in salary (up to 50%), an MSN in Nursing is growing ever popular.
Who Is an MSN?
MSN means Masters of Science in Nursing. It’s an advanced postgraduate degree that provides in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for advanced practice positions, administrative roles, and teaching positions. MSN is one step above a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and one step below a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or Ph.D. (Philosophy Doctor).
Some colleges and universities offer other types of nurse Masters degrees. For example, you can find MN (Master of Nursing) or MS in Nursing programs. In most cases, the difference between different Master’s programs is negligible, though there may be more of a particular focus on research (MSN capstone project) or practical skills. We recommend you pay attention to admission requirements and the program syllabus to learn which program is best suited for your career goals.
Admissions Requirements
Now that we’ve covered the answer to “What is MSN medical degree?”, let’s go over the admission possibilities.
- RN-to-MSN. This track works for registered nurses with associate degrees. The program usually lasts up to 4 years and includes BSN courses. A mix of offline and online classes is common.
- BSN-to-MSN. It’s one of the fastest ways toward a Nursing Master's degree, blurring the transition between degrees. The MSN program usually lasts up to 2 years and can be mostly taken online.
- Direct-entry-MSN. These programs work for those with Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing or other majors. The advanced track takes up to two years of mixed offline and online classes. Passing an RN licensing exam before graduation is among the core requirements.
Your MSN application will require transcripts, a GPA above 2.5, a motivational letter supported by recommendation letters, as well as GRE or MAT scores. Some schools will also require an interview or additional paperwork, so pay attention to admission requirements.
Most Popular Nursing Schools in the World
According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, the top-10 schools offering Masters in Science of Nursing programs include:
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- King’s College London (UK)
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- University of Washington (US)
- University of Southampton (UK)
- University of Manchester (UK)
- Yale University (US)
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (US)
- University of Alberta (Canada)
- University of Toronto (Canada)
This is not a Nursing Master's degree ranking; however, the QS ranking methodology accounts for academic reputation, research impact, and employer reputation. Combined, these factors reflect the teaching quality and the chances of successful employment upon graduation.
Nursing Masters Programs Syllabi
There are dozens of Master of Nursing Science programs in the US, but all accredited MSN programs share basic academic requirements despite their small differences. Aside from theoretical classes, students are required to get at least 500 hours of supervised practice in a clinical setting.
By the end of the program, an average MSN nursing student should be familiar with:
- Humanities and sciences prerequisites for nursing practice
- Systems and organizational leadership
- Clinical setting quality assessment and improvement
- Evidence-based nursing practice
- Healthcare technology and informatics basics
- Healthcare policy changes advocacy
- Interdisciplinary professional collaboration
- Community preventative healthcare
- Advanced nursing practice
MSN Specializations
If you’re looking for an APRN Master in Nursing, the four common specializations include:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Anesthetist
However, some of these specializations come with additional specialization levels. For example, pediatric nurse practitioner programs may focus on acute or primary care, just like adult or gerontology NP programs.
Non-APRN Master Science Nursing specializations include:
- Nursing Educator
- Nursing Executive Leadership
- Nursing System Management
- Nursing Technology
- Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety
Where Do Nurses with an MSN Degree Work?
After getting your Master in Nursing degree, several career tracks become available:
- APRN. Depending on your specialization, you can pursue a career in midwifery, pediatrics, gerontology, etc. You can also obtain a Nurse Practitioner license to gain even more professional freedom and increase your income.
- Nurse administrator. Leadership positions are available for nurses with advanced degrees, so if you’re focused on improving quality and efficiency of the nursing department, look for administrator and supervisor positions.
- Nurse researcher. An MSN nurse is a welcome addition to most research teams, especially if your program focuses on research and includes a capstone project, like a published article or a thesis.
- Nursing educator. Teaching positions in colleges and nursing schools are often filled with MSN nurses interested in pursuing terminal degrees and healthcare research.
Ideally, you should decide which of these four career tracks you like best before choosing an MSN program. This will make achieving your professional goals easier.