Master’s Degrees in Nursing (MSN)
Master’s Degrees in Nursing (MSN)
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Earning your MSN degree can potentially open the door to a variety of nursing specializations. Grand Canyon University offers several different options for registered nurses to specialize and advance their nursing education to position themselves to potentially achieve new heights in their careers. From nurse practitioner to nursing informatics programs, you can find a program that can provide you with the knowledge you need to pursue a career in your area of interest.
Median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners in May 20231
A master’s in nursing can provide you with an advanced understanding of nursing practice which can help you position yourself for potential career advancement and additional opportunities in the healthcare field. Advanced nursing positions such as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners also typically command a higher earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners had a median annual wage of $129,480 in May 2023.1
GCU is an institutionally accredited university, offering quality programs that have been approved by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Institutional accreditation reflects the quality of the programs that a university offers.
GCU is dedicated to providing all students with quality learning that can help them reach their professional goals. Learn more about the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals at GCU.
In order to be eligible for our master’s programs at GCU, you must meet certain educational requirements for graduate students. Review our graduate admission requirements and fill out the form on this page to learn more about your eligibility for our MSN programs at GCU.
As a nurse looking for the opportunity to advance your education through an MSN degree, you may be wondering which program is best suited for you. Browse through our different MSN options at GCU to find the type of degree and emphasis that can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Whether you’re looking to specialize in family practice or desire to go into health informatics, GCU offers various advanced nursing options for you to choose from. Explore some examples below.
The family nurse practitioner MSN option at GCU teaches you advanced nursing concepts that are designed to prepare you to provide care for patients of all ages. You will utilize your previous nursing knowledge, these advanced MSN studies, and evidence-based practices to potentially position yourself for advanced nursing roles in family care.
The dual MSN MBA degree program is unique in that it can provide BSN-educated nurses with a business foundation. This new knowledge set can be used to position oneself for additional opportunities in the healthcare field. In this program, you can gain a comprehensive education of the business side of healthcare as you work to gain additional competencies in nursing.
This nursing coursework is designed to provide nurses with additional supportive and immediately applicable competencies that can help them elevate their understanding of the nursing profession as well as provide them with advanced knowledge of their area of interest. In these programs, you can study topics such as organizational leadership, advanced health assessment and evidence-based practices.
GCU offers a variety of different nursing master’s degrees that can help you focus your nursing career in your preferred area of specialization. Browse through our different MSN emphases to find the one best suited for you.
If you’re a nurse who is seeking to advance your education through earning a master’s degree in nursing, read through some commonly asked questions to learn more about this advanced degree path.
There are nursing options available for current RNs who do not have a BSN to transition into MSN-level studies. GCU offers different nursing bridge pathways that can help prepare you for the opportunity to enroll in an MSN program at GCU. You will complete focused, relevant courses that are designed to help you transition into the MSN program of your choice.
Online2 MSN programs are specifically designed to be able to provide you with the same quality of nursing education as many expect from in-person programs. With online2 programs, students typically still have hands-on requirements, such as practicums and field experience hours where they exercise and apply their advanced skills.
To ensure you are receiving your degree from a quality university that offers approved degree programs and curriculums, review the accreditation status of your university and its nursing programs.
A master’s degree in nursing can help prepare you to position yourself to potentially transition from a BSN-level nursing career to an advanced position in the healthcare field. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are advanced nursing professionals such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives who all require an MSN education and typically additional certification. There are also non-clinical positions, such as nurse educators or nurse informaticists that require a minimum of an MSN degree.3
Your career goals ultimately play a major part when making your decision on which MSN degree to pursue. With the many emphasis options and opportunities to specialize that GCU offers, it can be a good idea to explore your different options and the specific course offerings to help determine which program can help you best prepare yourself for your desired career.
For example, a master’s in nursing with a nursing education emphasis can provide you with knowledge relevant to becoming a nurse educator. On the other hand, a public health nursing MSN emphasis will teach you important concepts and principles of a career in public health nursing.
A master’s-level nursing degree may be the additional education you need to open yourself up for potential advanced positions in the healthcare field. These degrees also can provide you with the opportunity to specialize in your area of interest.
Additionally, in May 2023, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners had a median annual wage of $129,480, according to the BLS.1 The BLS also estimates job growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners to increase by about 38% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 123,600 jobs in the field.4
Earning your master’s gives you the opportunity to position yourself for possible advancement or additional career opportunities in the healthcare field. There are both clinical and non-clinical roles that those with an MSN degree may choose to pursue as they advance their learning and elect to specialize.
Many career paths typically require a master’s-level nursing education,3 such as those involved in:
Adult care
Family practice
Midwifery
Nursing education
Pediatrics
Public health
As a nursing student at GCU, you can be assured that you have our dedicated faculty and learning community behind you. Along with the online resources and support that GCU offers, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers additional resources to help students as they pursue their healthcare studies.
If you are ready to apply for one of GCU’s master’s nursing programs or have additional questions, we’re happy to help.
Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
