Why Should I Get a Master’s Degree in Nursing?

Whether you’re already a nurse or are considering enrolling in nursing school, you may have heard that the U.S. is facing a nursing shortage.¹ What’s the best way to prepare to meet that need? Should you become a registered nurse (RN) or should you go further?

If you want to build skills and knowledge you can apply to a variety of nursing careers, then furthering your education may be the move. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN degree) can help you prepare for roles as a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and more. Here are some of the reasons why nursing professionals are choosing to earn an MSN.

Build Leadership Skills

In a master’s in nursing degree program, you have the opportunity to build next-level knowledge and skills you can use to become a leader in your chosen career, working as a nurse practitioner or in specialty practice. In MSN programs, you can learn how to positively influence the quality of patient care, develop innovations, and model and teach skills that inspire other nurses to improve the overall health of patients and communities. And why not learn leadership skills from a leader? Walden University is a top conferrer of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees in the United States.

Prepare for Career Roles

A nursing master’s degree is considered mandatory for a number of nursing specialties and for becoming a nurse practitioner. Jobs held by RNs with MSN degrees include:²

• Family nurse practitioner
• Nurse educator
• Pediatric nurse practitioner
• Nurse administrator
• Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner
• Clinical nurse educator

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, will grow by 40% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations^.3

Develop a Nursing Specialty

There is more than one path you can take in a master’s degree in nursing program. Some of the best nursing schools allow you to specialize in the type of nursing you want to practice. Walden offers several specializations:

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Executive
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Informatics
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Public Health Nursing

Earn a Degree Online

Thanks to online learning, you don’t have to pause your nursing career to earn an MSN degree. That’s because Walden’s online nursing school allows you to complete the majority of your MSN program from home, or wherever you have internet access. Additionally, earning a degree online lets you engage in your coursework at the time of day that works best for you.

Walden offers other flexible features, too. Its MSN degree program is available in two completion options: the standard course-based option, or Tempo Learning^®, which lets you control the length, cost, and pace of your MSN program.

Walden’s MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means it meets quality standards for effective educational practices.4 All of Walden’s didactic faculty members are doctorally trained5 and have real-world experience working with diverse patient populations. Walden master’s candidates join an online community of dedicated nurses and receive comprehensive support, including practicum support and Student Success Advising.

Walden’s online MSN degree program is designed to meet you where you are. You can apply with or without a bachelor’s degree. If you’re an RN with a hospital diploma or an associate degree in nursing, you can choose the RN to MSN track. If you’re an RN who already has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, you can choose the BSN to MSN track.

Learn more about Walden’s online nursing programs—because it may be time to deepen your knowledge and skills and prepare for the future of healthcare.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
²Source: www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/nursing-career-pathways/
³Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
⁴Source: www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation
⁵100% of College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally prepared; clinical faculty are either doctorally prepared or are experienced, licensed APRNs.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Walden University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to provide the academic degree required to apply for national certifications. Because no graduate program can guarantee that graduates will achieve national certification, we encourage students to consult the appropriate credentialing center for the specific requirements. It is an individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification as requirements vary widely. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about certification programs, students should contact the American Nurses Credentialing Center at www.nursingworld.org/ancc, or other certification websites.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.