A master's degree in nursing may be worth pursuing, depending on your personal and professional goals. Nurses who earn an MSN open the door to new areas of achievement, whether it's managing a team, creating positive change in patient outcomes or helping implement new technologies into various types of healthcare institutions. There are even opportunities to specialize in several high-demand areas, such as clinical nurse leadership and patient quality and safety.
Taking the next step in your education can result in a number of rewards. You'll have the knowledge and credentials you need to make a bigger impact in the workplace. By leveraging curriculum created by professionals who understand the daily challenges nurses face, you'll have the added knowledge you need to keep up in the dynamic world of healthcare.
While holding a bachelor's in nursing demonstrates a nurse's commitment to a career, the master's degree can help you transition to a more specialized area of nursing. If you're looking to progress even further, an MSN is an essential next step to earning a doctorate degree in nursing.
Nurses with a master's degree may also position themselves for higher earning potential. "The employer interprets the additional credential as a highly desirable indicator of future performance and assigns value to the degree holder accordingly," said SNHU Career advisor Laurie Lewis.
For some, earning an MSN means rediscovering your passion in an established career.
Les Rothrock had worked as a nurse for more than a dozen years – and an emergency nurse for 10 – when he finally decided to go back to school and earn his master's. Partly fueled by a desire to work his way up in his organization, he wanted to build upon his years of experience to open new doors.
"What pushed me was the thought that I was learning many new things, but what I wanted was the credentials to back up what I was learning," said Rothrock, "and the satisfaction that I had earned it."
Eventually, he found the right fit in SNHU – and immediately noticed a change. "The learning experience goes beyond being simply academic to practical in my everyday work," he said. "It has given me the edge to be better prepared and equipped in doing my job. I have learned how to research and problem solve issues in my work as well."
With rejuvenated confidence and a broader skillset, Rothrock's prospects started to grow. He even got an offer from the school where he earned his associate degree in nursing.
"My biggest desire is to inspire other nurses in achieving beyond what they dreamed, to become what patients need today," he said. "A better-equipped nurse is better able to provide compassionate care and become an advocate for the patient and the profession."