Reasons to Earn an Online Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN)
If you are a registered nurse (RN) with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and you are looking to improve your income and career opportunities, then earning your online Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN) may be the answer. Many of these programs are designed for currently employed RNs who have their nursing license; though, full-time programs are available for the recent BSN graduate. Different programs offer different types of academic concentrations, which allow you to better tailor your education towards your own goals. Concentrations include care and outcomes manager, school nursing, chronic illness care, family nurse practitioner and nurse anesthesia.
Career Possibilities
Occupational Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that overall employment of all types of nurses and medical and health services managers will grow much faster than the average occupation in the next decade.
Salary Information
Salary.com lists median annual earnings for case managers as $58,617; nurse educator salaries as $70,795; nurse manager (a.k.a. head nurse) salaries as $84,067; nurse practitioner salaries as $79,869; and nursing administrator (a.k.a. nursing director) salaries as $105,746 as of April 2008 reportings.
Degree Specifics
Coursework Requirements
The course requirements in an BSN to MSN degree program work to enhance the skills already obtained in a BSN program. The following list represents typical coursework requirements:
- Advanced Statistics
- Professional Issues in Nursing
- Nursing Research and Science
- Foundations of Integrative Care
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Health Policy and Leadership
- Transition to Advanced Practice Nursing
Skills You Will Learn
Different schools, programs and concentrations focus on instilling different skills in students (i.e. some programs may focus on training graduates to become teachers while others focus on training graduates to become nurse practitioners.) With that said, common skill sets exist among different programs. The following skills may be acquired by graduates of a Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN) program:
- Conduct and participate in nursing research studies
- Use theory learned in class to deliver high-quality nursing care
- Demonstrate knowledgeable and ethical leadership
