If you are wondering, “what can you do with a master’s in nursing?” look no further. With a MSN from Marquette University, you will open many doors in your nursing career along with increased benefits and high projections for career growth.
If you’re ready to make a career change and have chosen nursing as your desired path, it’s essential to consider the type of nursing degree that you want to pursue. This decision will significantly impact your future nursing career, so knowing the differences between Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees (and the specialties they can prepare you for) is vital.
Marquette University’s Second-Degree Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program in Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin prepares you for a rewarding future as a competent, confident nurse. In less than 21 months, you can be well-equipped for your future in nursing.
What Are the Advantages of an MSN Degree?
If you’re wondering, “why get a master’s in nursing?” the main differentiator is the amount of career opportunities a MSN can open up. Earning a master’s in nursing from Marquette University could be what you’re looking for, considering the access it grants to higher earning potential and greater job opportunities. The opportunities that an MSN degree opens up include eligibility to enter advanced practice continuing education, which can then qualify students for advanced practice roles.
With high median annual salaries, and advanced practice roles like nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives predicted to grow by 40% percent by 2031, advanced practice nursing roles are one of the most desirable segments of the healthcare industry.
The demand for registered nurses with masters degrees is growing faster than ever before, due to an aging population, a currently aging nursing workforce, and the rising desire for hospitals to achieve Magnet status (which restricts many nurse leadership positions to MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice holders). Advancing your nursing education can help you to take full advantage of this demand and opportunity. So what opportunities can an MSN degree help you achieve?
Possibilities With an MSN
What can you do once you earn a master’s in nursing? If you want to become an advanced practice nurse, the path starts through advanced education like earning a MSN or DNP. After becoming a licensed registered nurse and gaining experience in the field, you will eventually meet the requirements for further education and pathways to certification. Any further specialty-specific nursing education depends on the practice area you want to work in.
No matter which path you choose for your nursing career, the Marquette Direct Entry MSN program sets you up for success. Not only is an MSN a prerequisite for many advanced practice roles, holding such a degree gives you the necessary tools to advance faster and better pursue leadership opportunities than you could with a BSN. Earning an MSN also allows you to continue toward certification in your desired field.
With a master’s in nursing, you can choose to work as a nurse in a variety of settings. You can also choose to continue your education and enter an advanced practice role. Some of your options which can be accessed with a MSN degree alone include:
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators use the knowledge and experience they have gathered from working as a licensed registered nurse to prepare and inspire the next generation of nurses. This role isn’t limited to a classroom setting, however. Aside from teaching in colleges and universities, nursing educators can also teach in clinical settings like hospitals and physician’s offices.
Health Policy Nurse
Health policy nurses review and evaluate current healthcare policies and suggest changes to improve the healthcare system. This advanced nursing role uses their extensive nursing background to advocate for change and improve patient welfare.
Advanced Practice Nursing Roles You Can Begin Pursuing With an MSN
Once you have earned an MSN degree, you will be open to enter into roles like the ones we have discussed above. However, if you wish to pursue an advanced practice nursing role, your MSN degree will qualify you to begin the education and certification process for roles including:
Nurse Practitioner
As a nurse practitioner, you will work with a high level of autonomy across multiple areas. Nurse practitioners examine and evaluate patients, order appropriate testing, interpret tests and prescribe treatment plans. Nurse practitioners operate on a holistic model, taking the entire patient into account beyond their symptoms alone. This advanced practice nursing role is rapidly growing, with ample career opportunities.
Learn more about the overall job outlook for nurse practitioners.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
This advanced practice registered nurse role provides a full range of primary healthcare services to women, from adolescence to beyond menopause. A CNM carries out the independent provision of primary care, gynecologic and family planning services, and patient care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
Additional Benefits
A master’s in nursing is associated with higher earning potential and greater job opportunities, as well as providing the foundation to enter advanced practice nursing roles. Here are some of the additional benefits that come with a master’s in nursing.
You’re One Step Closer to Post-Masters Certifications.
Because an MSN degree allows you to advance in the healthcare industry, Marquette’s Direct Entry MSN program can help you discover what your goal is and help you carve a path that will allow you to achieve it.
Through this program, you can experience the different aspects of the field. So if you are interested in becoming an NP, nurse educator, or seek other forms of certification, Marquette’s Direct Entry MSN program will help prepare you for whichever path you plan to take.
Direct Entry MSN Programs Can Offer an Accelerated Timeline
You can earn your MSN degree in a similar timeframe to earning a BSN degree. The Direct Entry program can be completed in 19–21 months. Plus, in less than two years, you will be a lot closer to being able to further your education so you can become an advanced nurse.
You’ll gain diverse experience through hands-on labs and clinical placements in top healthcare facilities throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. You can graduate prepared to sit for the NCLEX and get to the next step of your education.
Earn Your Master’s in Nursing Today
Now that you have answers to what can you do with a master’s in nursing through Marquette’s Direct Entry MSN program, your next step is connecting with an admissions adviser. There are always more questions and Marquette’s advisers are ready to answer them all for you. They are just a phone call away.
If you are ready to take the first step toward advancement in the field of nursing, we have a seat for you. Marquette’s Direct Entry MSN program offers two start dates per year. Contact us today to find out what you need, besides your non-nursing bachelor’s degree, to get started on earning a master’s in nursing from Marquette.