It takes a real commitment of time and effort to earn an masters degree in nursing. But the rewards can be considerable. Here are some key reasons to consider that graduate degree in nursing.
Nursing Job Growth
Demand is expected to be strong in the coming years for candidates who have a nursing master’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
jobs for advanced care nurses, including nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, will grow 31% in the U.S. between 2014 and 2024 – a rate much higher than what’s expected for most careers in the nation.
Master Of Science In Nursing Salaries
Nurse practitioners offer a good example of the kind of salaries that can be achieved by advanced care nurses. According to the American Associate of Nurse Practitioners, a survey shows that base salaries for nurse practitioners averaged over $108,000 in 2015. That compares with the $68,450. median annual pay estimated for RNs in 2016 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
More Varied Career With A Masters Degree In Nursing
There’s a wider variety of things you can do with a masters in nursing. Holders of a nursing master’s degree can work in all sorts of different leadership roles in health care or even in business. With the health sector, they may get involved in everything from research or administration to jobs in education where they may stop doing clinical care and focus 100% training other nurses. The MSN Nursing is often seen as a good qualification in industries other than healthcare.
Financial Security
The strong long-term job outlook for nurses with an MSN reduces the changes of ever experiencing a layoff or having to look for a job. Generally speaking, nurses who complete a masters of science in nursing program are among those most likely to benefit from the ongoing shortage of nurses in the U.S.
**Click here to see a full list of online schools with masters degrees in nursing**