How a Master's Degree in Nursing Can Boost Your Health Care Career

Few industries have been affected as adversely as health care during the pandemic, and nurses have certainly taken the brunt of it. The traumatic effects have prompted record levels of burnout, mental health issues and quitting a profession they once loved. However, nurses are needed now more than ever, and getting a master's in nursing (MSN) — with specialties such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife and others — may just be the thing you need to revitalize your passion for health care and take your career to the next level.

Nurse practitioners operate somewhat autonomously, somewhere between the role of a nurse and a doctor. In many states they can diagnose, prescribe most medications and treat patients on their own with little to no physician intervention. Straddling the duties of both these professions is helpful in the current health care climate as it addresses both the physician and nursing shortage.

If you're a nurse who has found the clinical treatment side of things too stressful and wants to move into a different environment, a master's in nursing can also offer opportunities in managerial, leadership, educational and training roles.

With increased responsibilities and skill sets comes more flexible schedule options other than the often typical 12-plus hour shifts of traditional nursing. Your advanced degree and training give you the opportunity to often set your own hours and work in a more traditional setting. Working as an educator, a private practice nurse practitioner or health care manager often allows for a more regular schedule. However, if you choose to work as a nurse midwife, for example, your hours will most likely reflect those of your clients and when their babies decide to arrive.

With a median annual salary of $123,780 and a 45% growth rate over the next 10 years, the earnings potential and job growth for nurse practitioners are at very impressive levels, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These numbers provide ample motivation for nurses to potentially follow this path as the next step in their career path.

Speaking of money, check with your employer about tuition reimbursement and scholarship sites, as there are often many financial assistance programs that can ease the financial burden of going back to school.

With many nurses still desperately needed on the front lines, the availability of flexible master's programs is critical. Programs are offering numerous options so that whatever your personal, work or life situation is, there's a learning environment that will work for you. With online, on campus, hybrids, full-time, part-time and even condensed programs, there's something for everyone.

Taking advantage of a bridge program is another avenue that may work for you. There are bridge programs for all levels of degree advancement from associates to doctorate, but for these purposes, you would take advantage of a bridge to MSN program.

A bridge program is designed for those already working in the field who want or need to continue working while they obtain their degree. Since most MSN programs require clinical and/or lab work, many bridge programs allow students to conduct that work at the hospital where they're employed, if possible. Speak to your HR manager or the advisor for the program you're interested in to learn more about whether this would be a viable option for you.

An MSN degree offers numerous possibilities, very generous salary ranges and long-term job growth. As with anything, it's important to research your options. Contacting the numerous nursing associations to research specialties and various programs will give you a well-rounded view of the degree and concentration you're interested in and what it will entail to obtain one.