To begin working as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) you must undergo specific training and pass the NCLEX examination managed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. To enhance your career as a nurse, you may want to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN). Accelerated BSN to MSN programs can provide necessary training to earn a degree within a shorter amount of time. But, why would you want to earn an advance nursing degree?

Why Earn a BSN?

Registered nurses (RNs) constitute the largest healthcare occupation, with 2.6 million jobs, according to the BLS (Burueau of Labor Statistics). The median average annual salaries for RNs $62,450 in May 2008. Employment in nursing care facilities is expected to grow because of increases in the number of older persons, many of whom require long-term care.

There are three typical educational paths to registered nursing — a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs offered by colleges and universities take about 4 years to complete. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as a staff nurse. There are hundreds of registered nursing programs that result in an ADN or BSN; however, there are relatively few diploma programs.

Many RNs with an ADN or diploma later enter bachelor’s degree programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. Often, they can find an entry-level position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. Accelerated master’s degree in nursing (MSN) programs also are available. They typically take 3-4 years to complete full time and result in the award of both the BSN and MSN.

A BSN allows individuals to treat and educate patients and the public on various medical conditions. Individuals who obtain a BSN perform a variety of duties including: operate medical machinery, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

Employment of RNs with a BSN is expected to grow through 2014, and an online bachelor’s degrees in nursing will almost guarantee a variety of employment opportunities throughout the next decade. Individuals with an online BSN typically earn between $50,081.00 – $67,394.00.

Most importantly, if you want to advance your degree, however, you must focus on the BSN degree, as that degree is a prerequisite for the MSN (masters of science degree in nursing).

Why Earn an MSN?

MSN programs are available to RNs with a BSN, and also are available for individuals who hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in another field; master’s degree programs usually last 2 years. Accelerated or “bridge” MSN programs also are available. They typically take 3-4 years to complete full time and result in the award of both the BSN and MSN.

The degree program provides advanced training for nurses who wish to open up their own nursing practice, find work as a clinical nurse specialist, or become an educator in the field. Students who complete an MSN degree program acquire essential critical thinking skills and knowledge to apply in a nursing facility environment. The typical MSN degree program is a combination of classes and hands-on experience.

If you plan to enter an MSN program, it might help to sync your career goals with a master degree program. RNs can enter into master degree programs that prepare them for careers in advanced clinical practice, nursing education, research, informatics, and healthcare business management. You can, for instance, earn the following degrees and titles with an MSN:

• Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Nurse Administrator / Manager
• Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Nurse Consultant
• Nurse Educator
• Nursing Informatics
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Nurse Researcher

Salary Differences

As mentioned earlier, the RN with a BSN can earn a median salary of $62,450 per year. With two more years of study toward an MSN program and a focus on Nurse Midwifery, your median salary could increase to $91,321. A Nurse Anesthestist could make a median salary of $155,989 and a Nurse Practitioner could make a median salary of $89,845.

While the salary reflects a degree of higher education, it also provides individuals with the freedom to focus on a specialty. If you are an RN with a BSN and if you have a focus that is listed above, you might consider spending two years in an accredited BSN-to-MSN program to hone your skills in that specialty and make more money as you grow in your career.

For those individuals who are not currently in the field of nursing, but you have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, you can find generic master’s degree programs allow students to complete bachelor level courses as needed to satisfy state license requirements. When ready, the student can sit for the RN licensing exam and continue on with their master degree nursing program. Although this course may take another four years, you might find those four years the most satisfying in your life as you head toward a career that fulfills your desire to help others.

These schools offer fully accredited programs that can take someone with a BSN to an MSN and beyond, which leads to more opportunities to specialize in the kind of work you love and earn a better paycheck while you do it. If you’re ready to get started, click some of the links below to learn more about their specific course offerings.

BSN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administrator MSN in Nurse Educator MSN in Nurse Informatics RN to MSN	Kaplan University — The Kaplan School of Nursing offers a variety of graduate degree programs for registered nurses looking to advance their careers into special areas of interest. In addition to their general BSN to MSN program, Kaplan also offers MSN degrees with concentrations in nurse administration, nurse education, and nursing informatics. For registered nurses who have not yet completed their bachelor's degrees, Kaplan also offers an RN to MSN program.
BSN to MSN (General) MSN in Leadership & Mgmt MSN in Nursing Informatics MSN in Nurse Education	Walden University — In addition to its general BSN to MSN track, Walden offers a specialty MSN degree programs in leadership & management, nursing informatics, and nurse education. Available to RNs with a BSN, ADN, or nursing diploma, Walden's MSN programs are designed to prepare current nurses for new opportunities in their field by giving them the tools and skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
BSN to MSN MSN in Health Education MSN in Informatics MSN in Health Administration MSN in Healthcare Mgmt	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix is America's largest accredited online university. Their School of Nursing offers several different online BSN to MSN degrees, including degree programs with concentrations in healthcare education, health informatics, healthcare administration, and healthcare management. These graduate-level programs of study are available to all registered nurses (RNs) who have completed their bachelor's degree and have a minimum of three years working experience.
Dual Degree: MBA & MSN MSN in Nursing Education MSN in Nursing Leadership	Grand Canyon University — A highly-rated Christian school based in Arizona, Grand Canyon University's School of Nursing offers multiple master's degree-level nursing programs, including a dual MSN and MBA degree for business-oriented students and MSN degrees with concentrations in nursing education and nursing leadership.
MSN in Adult Nursing MSN in CNS/Nurse Educator More...	University of Cincinnati — The University of Cincinnati offers online BSN to MSN programs with numerous specializations, including adult nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, nurse midwifery, psychiatric nursing, and women's health specialist. Students of these programs are required first to be registered nurses holding BSN degrees.
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