What Can You Do with an MSN?

Earning an MSN not only can open doors to nursing roles in a variety of specialties and environments but also allows professionals to pursue managerial or administrative-level positions. From a work-life balance perspective, an MSN can mean a 9-to-5 workday, instead of varying shifts, allowing for a more consistent schedule.

Achieving an MSN not only gives professionals the power to choose their career paths; it also often increases earning potential. According to BLS, the median nurse practitioner salary was just under $111,000 in 2017—significantly higher than the median RN salary ($70,000).

Programs that offer specialized areas of learning allow professionals to focus on their particular interests and become experts in their fields of choice.

All of the benefits mentioned above contribute to overall job satisfaction, in addition to greater professional confidence (due to greater expertise). Nurse practitioners also often enjoy a healthier work-life balance and a manageable workload in an environment (and specialty) suited to their interests.

Below are some of the careers you can pursue with an MSN.

The growing shortage of family practice physicians is contributing to the increasing need for FNPs, creating more employment opportunities for graduates. FNPs work with patients of all ages, typically in a family, or “general,” medical practice. Their functions are similar to those of physicians—they are able to diagnose and treat conditions and prescribe medication. The average salary for FNPs is $89,043 per year.

Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners provide primary care to adults of varying ages, typically in outpatient environments, such as clinics or medical practices. As the baby-boom generation ages out of the workforce, the demand for skilled AGPCNPs will increase. The average pay for an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) is $85,163 per year.

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners typically work in a hospital environment, providing care to patients with serious, or critical, health issues. They may specialize in specific areas, including cardiovascular care, oncology, and intensive care. Similar to AGPCNPs, the career outlook for AGACNPs is promising because of the growing need for more leadership and expertise in the nursing discipline. The average salary for an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner is $97,541.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide care for patients with a mental illness. This type of care includes prescribing medication and providing counseling and treatment. Patients under a PMHNP’s care can be diagnosed with varying illness, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. As awareness of mental illness continues to increase nationally, PMHNPs will continue to see growing demand for their services. The median salary for PMHNPs is $97,800.

Pediatric nurse practitioners focus on the primary healthcare of children, from birth to young adulthood. They work to educate families about preventive care and healthy lifestyles and provide treatment for various conditions. The average median salary for pediatric NPs is $99,058.

What can you do with an MSN? There are many possibilities. An MSN program, particularly one with an online option, can provide ease and flexibility for professionals who are ready to earn their MSN degrees. As the healthcare landscape continues to change and the demand for nursing leadership roles grows, an investment in an MSN degree now can bring greater job satisfaction and financial rewards sooner. Learn more about the transformative career opportunities through Maryville University’s online MSN program.