Why Earn an MSN?

Want to take your nursing career to the next level? Do you wonder if you should get your MSN? A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree can prepare you to compete for top leadership positions within the nursing field, such as chief nursing officer or vice president of nursing. In addition, an MSN can be used as a prerequisite for a doctorate-level education in nursing.

Here are five reasons to further your education and get an MSN:

Nursing Specialization

The MSN program walks you through a broad-based critical analysis of nursing and healthcare research. This research serves as a foundation that allows you to further explore ethics, policy and finance in healthcare. In addition, you can specialize in an area of nursing, allowing you to pursue advanced opportunities in a specific area:

• Nursing Education: An MSN with an Emphasis in Nursing Education equips you to meet the growing and changing educational needs of the nursing occupation. This program is designed for nurses with a passion for teaching and mentoring future nurses. Graduates are prepared to take on roles such as clinical educator or academic educator in traditional and non-traditional settings.
• Health Care Informatics: An MSN with an Emphasis in Health Care Informatics is designed for students who want to grow in their understanding of data in order to improve decision-making within the field of health care. Graduates are prepared to help organizations adapt to technology and changes in patient-care systems.
• Public Health: An MSN with an Emphasis in Public Health provides you with the skills to define, assess and resolve public health This program is designed for students who have a passion for disease prevention and community health and who desire a career in which they can be involved in the coordination, planning, development, implementation and evaluation of health programs and services.

High Demand and Workforce Needs

Workers will always be needed in the field of healthcare, and it is predicted that the demand for healthcare workers will increase in the coming years. Therefore, the future is bright for those with a passion for nursing. This is especially true for those who want to further their education in this field. Doing so can allow you to focus on your specific passions as they pertain to nursing. For example, someone who has great leadership skills can earn an MSN with an Emphasis in Nursing Leadership. With this degree, you gain valuable knowledge about the ever-changing healthcare system, and are prepared to lead others and manage resources in order to meet organizational goals in the healthcare field.

Teaching Opportunities

Now more than ever, there are great opportunities for those who want to incorporate their passion for teaching into their nursing degree. With the increased demand for healthcare workers, the industry is in need of nursing educators to equip future nurses. Without educators, qualified applicants will be turned away from nursing schools due to a lack of faculty.

Increased Pay Potential

In addition to gaining advanced knowledge and skills with an MSN, there is also increased pay potential. Today, employers are looking to hire nurses with advanced education in order to strengthen their workforce. This is because nurses with an MSN can take on more responsibilities in the workplace. The increased value of those with an MSN can be seen in their salary. 

Convenient Opportunities to Earn an Education

In general, master’s programs tend to require large amounts of time and dedication, which may scare some students away. However, the hard work the MSN degree requires is worth it. In addition, there are many different ways you can go about earning your MSN. For example, online programs provide a convenient way for you to further your education from the comfort of your own home. At Grand Canyon University, you can choose a BSN to MSN Fast Track Option, in which you can earn your degree in less time for less overall cost.

There are many benefits to advancing your education and earning an MSN degree. Delving deeper into a certain area of nursing helps to keep you current and eligible for new and exciting opportunities within the field of nursing.

Want to advance your career with a Master of Science in Nursing? Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions allows students to choose from several MSN emphases. For more information about GCU’s MSN program, contact our enrollment representatives today!

Written by Lauren Abraham, a junior majoring in communications at GCU.