msn degree program online

School for Thought: Why Get an MSN Degree?

Are you undecided, wondering if getting your Master’s in Nursing (MSN) is the right next step for you? You might be worried about cost, time commitment to school, potential job prospects… we understand, there’s a lot to consider. Good thing we’ve done all of that for you! Here, we’ll tell you why an MSN degree is so beneficial, and how it can help you achieve your personal and professional goals as nurse.

  1. Higher Earning Potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2018, registered nurses made an average of $71k annually. That’s around $34 an hour! Congratulations if you’ve already earned your BSN and you work as a registered nurse. However, if you consider the trade-off of attending a 20-month, part-time master’s program, and earning close to (or more than) six figures annually, it’s impossible to ignore the advantage of an MSN degree.

Furthermore, the Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk areas of Connecticut make the top-10 list of highest paying metropolitan areas for the advanced practice nurse occupation, as well as nurse managers and administrators in the field. With an MSN degree, you can land one of these careers in Connecticut and earn upwards of $140k per year.

  1. A Bright Job Outlook

Now that you know what a healthy MSN paycheck can be, you’re probably asking yourself, “But will I actually be able to get a job once I earn my MSN?” The answer is yes. First off, you might be aware that the RN employment growth rate is rising at 12%, or faster than average. Most jobs in the United States are growing at a 5% rate, so certainly this sounds like a great statistic. Until you hear this next one! The advanced nursing job growth rate is 26%, and much faster than average. Consider that you can more than double your job outlook advantage with further education, like getting your MSN.

  1. Qualification for More Advanced Roles

You didn’t become a nurse because you wanted a laid-back, boring career. So why not get the most out of it? MSN-educated nurses can work in a variety of exciting settings, such as physician’s offices, general medical and surgical hospitals, and outpatient care centers. In these environments, the demand for Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Midwife is high, as well as more “behind-the-scenes,” research and leadership-oriented roles, like Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Informaticist.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing conducted research of nursing school graduates to find out the rates of nursing job placement upon graduation, and found that, at the time of graduation for BSN graduates, that rate was 73%. Meanwhile for MSN graduates, it rose to 78%. Another key point is that this survey found little variation regardless of the type of program attended—private or public school, small school, big school—none of that made a difference! It’s safe to conclude that higher education in the healthcare field influences hiring decisions in a positive way.

  1. An Investment in Your Future

It’s no secret that nursing is a physical occupation. You’re on your feet all day, you bend and squat, you push around equipment, and aid patients in rising, bathing, dressing, et cetera. As you advance your nursing career, you’ll do less of the physical stuff. You’ll benefit from advantages like working a more regular office schedule, instead of third or graveyard shifts, and (if you prefer) providing specialized bedside care instead of basic care. It might even make it easier to tend to your family or other personal obligations, providing a more holistic work/life balance. You may not be surprised to learn that the average age for advanced practice nurses in the U.S. is 49 years. Earning an MSN degree will help secure your place in the healthcare profession for the long run. Even if you like being in the emergency or operating room now, earning your MSN now will help you qualify for leadership and administrative roles, giving you the flexibility to shift your role down the road.

  1. Career Fulfillment

You’ve likely gone into nursing because it’s something that you’re passionate about. You enjoy the pace and helping others, but you should also know that you’re making a major contribution to society. Continuing your education will allow you to improve this field that you care so much for. Help produce cutting-edge research, allow your department to innovate with new technology, educate the next generation of aspiring nurses. These are a few reasons why you might want to get your MSN degree, but we’re sure you have your own personal goals in mind.

  1. There’s No Time Like the Present

No one ever says they regretted starting something earlier—just like the saying goes, there really is no time like the present! Big life choices can be hard to make because they guarantee change, and change can be difficult. Don’t let change be a roadblock for your career, especially if you take a good look at the benefits. An exciting curriculum and flexible online schedule (which allows you to study on your own time while continuing to work) are just a couple of positive reasons to get to it. Once you start earning your master’s degree, you can level-up your career in as few as 20 months!

To learn more, please call Goodwin College at 800-889-3282, or visit us online. An admissions representative would be happy to answer all of your questions and help you get started on your application, today!