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RN to MSN
Once you have begun your journey in medicine, there are infinite ways to expand, specialize, grow, earn more money and continue to learn. Acquiring a Master of Science in Nursing can open doors in the field that are not available to RNs. The transition will require an immense amount of dedication. However, those who make the choice to jump into a MSN degree program will be part of an elite few that will always be in high demand and will command six figure salaries.
It is important to be sure that this is the avenue that is right for you. This is best suited for nurses who already have a significant amount of experience in the field and are Registered Nurses without a Bachelor degree. These programs are designed to get RNs their degree at a relatively speedy pace. They will be heavy in science and math courses, in addition to psychology courses and require motivation, diligence and demonstration of leadership potential to be considered. If you have been working as a Registered Nurse and are ready to move into more educational roles, more leadership roles or managerial functions, pursuing the RN to MSN route can be ideal for you.
Potential Occupations of an MSN and Potential Salaries
Here is a list of some of the exciting specialized fields you would qualify to be hired in with an RN to MSN:
1) You could potentially become a CRNA, or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. In this position, you would play a supportive but active role in the administration of anesthesia in tandem with anesthesiologists and surgeons. This could potentially generate a salary of $130,000.
2) An exciting path for those that love to travel could mean becoming a travel nurse. This type of position provides constant change and new challenges every day. Since nursing jobs are highly dependent on location, the salary may vary, but will invariably benefit from a specialization and good negotiation skills. These specialized nurses often command lucrative six-figure salaries and will be able to see the whole world in their course of their careers.
3) Another option in a non-clinical part of the industry is a nurse researcher. This involves performing analysis and compiling reports based off of researching data on nursing, medical and pharmaceutical products or practices. This is a perfect option for the analytical or numbers-loving mind. Non-profit organizations and private companies are likely to be your employers and may pay you somewhere around $100,000 a year for it.
4) A nurse practitioner is in very high demand for those looking to work in primary care. Becoming one would mean providing general healthcare to patients and assisting in routine examinations, as well as recording patient history and providing advice on preventative care. This could also have you helping people manage their injuries and chronic diseases like asthma or diabetes. This can put somewhere around $80,000 in your bank account every year. This also requires specialty certification in acute care, women’s health, geriatrics, pediatrics, women’s health or family medicine.
5) Being a midwife can be perfect for those who wish to work only with women providing primary care, gynecological exams and assistance in labor and birth. The potential salary for being a midwife is around $85,000 a year and experienced midwifes can take up to $124,000 a year.
Skills Learned in an RN to MSN Program
The knowledge obtained in this fast track program will be similar to that of a regular Masters program. It will help to further develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, which will already have to be present to a large degree in order to be able to make quick and proper decisions in the case of an emergency. The courses will teach about the proper ways of handling medical equipment and special machines. The basics of healthcare and modern medicine will comprise a large area of study, as this will be the basis for everything to come. Depending on how your school teaches, you may end up specializing in one of many areas in your field. This can put you on a course to learn the skills necessary to one specialization, like case management, nursing education, management or organizational leadership, infection control and prevention or informatics.
Requirements and Other Helpful Elements
Some of the basic characteristics that schools will look for when considering aspiring Masters Degree candidates are empathy towards people in general, enthusiasm, drive, critical thinking and leadership potential. You can make the case that these qualities are yours in the essay a committee will review upon receiving your application. This essay is to include a statement of your personal goals when looking to further your medical career. A high school diploma will be necessary, as well as an LPN or RN license already in place from an accredited program with years of experience in the field. General education courses must all be out of the way with a GPA of at least 3.0 in those and some basic nursing courses. A BLS certification will have to be provided. They will look for reference letters, usually 3 or so, and official transcripts from all of the relevant schools you have attended. Extracurricular activities will also be considered when reviewing the application, along with work experience. Work experience pairs well with knowing other languages, having studied abroad and having some knowledge of foreign cultures.
Choosing the Right Program For You
There are many schools that offer programs to become advanced practice nurses or APNs after completing an RN to MSN degree. The two to four years that you put into your education will certainly pay off in the end. The jobs and specialties available to you with a Masters Degree in Nursing are countless and still growing. This is one of the most in-demand occupations in the country today. Schools are available almost anywhere and also online. Online programs are perfect for people with especially busy schedules to be able to continue their education and advance their career without having to quit their job while going to school to get their degree. Most accredited RN to MSN programs will also have some sort of financial aid available to people who need it. Scholarships and grants are always a great way to go when trying to get some financial aid your way if you don’t have the money to pay for it all. It is suggested that, given the wide range of diversity in programs, you speak with alumni of each program that interests you for additional information and some advice on how to best fit it into your life.
