Achieving your MS in Nursing degree has many benefits for your nursing career and overall quality of life:

Job Security

According to the US Department of Labor, employment for nurses is expected to grow 22 percent by 2018 resulting in over 500,000 new jobs in the healthcare industry. The demand for Nurses is overwhelming in most of the healthcare fields as technological advances in patient care and preventative health methods increase.¹

Nursing Educator Shortage in the US

The demand for Nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing with specializations in Nursing Education is at a critical level. In the past decade, the American Nursing Association (ANA), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN) have all recognized a growing nursing faculty shortage in the US.^2,3 Currently the number of nurses completing graduate programs is not sufficient to replace the number of retiring faculty.³ In comparison with diplomas, Associate and Bachelor degrees, percentages of Registered Nurses with MSN degrees is extremely low,² allowing new recipients greater opportunities for jobs and job security.

Professional Advancement

Many healthcare employers and academic organizations believe that nurses with a higher level of education are more valuable to their operation. For nursing management, nurses can advance their careers to administrative positions that require leadership, communication, negotiation skills and good judgment. According to the US Government, more Healthcare organizations are requiring graduate or advanced degrees in nursing for these positions.¹

In education, colleges and universities are seeking nursing educators are with a master's degree or higher. According to the AACN, “obtaining a master’s degree in nursing is a necessary step in preparing for a role in academia.”²  The ANA believes that “Masters’ and doctoral level programs that prepare nurses for faculty roles and that are available online are key components for addressing the nursing faculty shortage.”³ Online MSN programs allow professional nurses to continue their career or advance it while earning their degree on their own time. In certain states, new nursing faculty members can be hired while obtaining their MSN degree.²

Higher Earning Potential

Nurses with a MSN degree have a greater earning potential than those with lower level degrees. On average, a Nurse entering the healthcare industry with a Master of Science in Nursing degree will earn over 47% more than a nurse with a Bachelor in Science in Nursing.^4,5

Wider Range of Career Paths

Earning your Master of Science in Nursing will open the doors to a wider range of career paths and positions. These include:

• Director of Nursing
• Charge Nurse
• Relief Charge Nurse
• Nurse Educator
• Director of Staff Development
• Chief Nursing Officer
   

1. Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm. As viewed on January 9, 2012.
2. Source: http://www.aacn.org/wd/careers/content/toc-3.pcms?pid=1&&menu=careers. As viewed on January 9, 2012.
3. Source: http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-16-2011/No3-Sept-2011/Articles-Previous-Topics/Pursuing-Graduate-Studies-in-Nursing-Education.aspx. As viewed on January 9, 2012.
4. Source: http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Science%2c_Nursing_(MSN)/Salary/by_Years_Experience. As viewed on January 9, 2012.
5. Source: http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science%2c_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary/by_Years_Experience. As viewed on January 9, 2012.