A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate-level degree that prepares practicing registered nurses (RNs) for roles in leadership, education, research, administration and direct patient care. MSNs propel nursing careers by enabling RNs to specialize in a specific, in-demand field, pursue advanced leadership roles in various settings and increase their autonomy and earning potential within the healthcare industry. By expanding foundational skills that are typically gained through a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the online MSN programs from Youngstown State University (YSU) empower nurses to make an impact on healthcare, from direct patient care to high-level organizational policy and procedure.
The increasing demand for MSN-prepared nurses, both in administrative and specialized clinical roles, makes it an excellent time for RNs to start researching their options for advancing their careers with an MSN. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects substantial growth for several roles that typically require or prefer an MSN, including nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners. This increase is driven by an aging population, a shortage of experienced nurse leaders, and the need for advanced skills to navigate the modern complexities of the healthcare system, which show no signs of slowing.
This guide covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your higher education and earning an MSN. Learn about the benefits of an advanced degree, the core and specialized curriculum you can expect in an MSN program, what careers you can pursue post-graduation, and how YSU’s online MSN program is designed with working nurses in mind.
Why Should You Earn a Master of Science in Nursing?
Earning an MSN unlocks advanced career opportunities, allowing RNs to integrate their hands-on knowledge with the ability to make real change for patients, staff and the healthcare industry as a whole. Becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse educator, or specializing in a field you’re passionate about, also leads to higher earning potential with greater job stability.
The average annual wage for a BSN-prepared nurse averages around $98,000, while the median salary for an MSN-educated nurse often exceeds $120,000, depending on their field of focus. Salaries are affected not only by the type of degree a person has but also by their location, work experience and specialty. Even when considering these additional factors, the trend for higher pay for MSN graduates is consistent.
What Are the Types of MSN Specializations?
MSN specializations can typically be sorted into two categories: advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializations and non-APRN specializations. APRN specializations tend to focus on direct patient care and outcomes, while non-APRN specializations focus on leadership, education, informatics and administration within the nursing profession. Below are the specializations available for students pursuing an MSN at YSU:
Nurse Education
- Credit hours: 33
- Practicum hours: 150
- The online MSN – Nurse Education program is a non-APRN option that prepares experienced RNs to become qualified nurse educators in academic, healthcare and community settings.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
- Credit hours: 45
- Practicum hours: 540
- The online MSN – AG-ACNP program is an APRN option that teaches students how to care for adults with complex and chronic conditions in high acuity and specialty areas.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Credit hours: 46
- Practicum hours: 600
- The online MSN – FNP program is an APRN option that focuses on providing comprehensive, primary care for families and individuals of all ages.
What Will You Learn in an MSN Program?
In an MSN program, students build on their existing BSN foundation, learning advanced clinical skills, leadership competencies, advocacy, research, evidence-based practice and how to use informatics to improve systems. YSU’s core courses cover topics in depth that strengthen RNs’ ability to make positive impacts with their work.
Non-APRN Core Courses
- Healthcare Issues and Trends: Explores healthcare issues, including changing roles and scope of practice, with an emphasis on policy, collaboration and ethics
- Theoretical Foundations in Science and Research: Develops an understanding of the significance of theory and research and analyzes health-related evidence to improve the quality of care and practice
- Advanced Pathophysiology: Examines physiologic functions and pathologic mechanisms to prepare nurses for advanced practice
- Advanced Pharmacology: Examines major categories of pharmacological agents in a clinical setting
- Advanced Health Assessment: Develops advanced clinical knowledge and skills needed for comprehensive health assessment throughout the lifespan
APRN Core Courses
- Differential Diagnoses: Hones diagnostic reasoning skills through comprehensive analysis of present and past patient histories, physical findings and diagnostic studies
- Advanced Diagnostics and Technologies: Teaches theory and technical skills essential to the advanced practice environment
- Role Development in Advanced Practice: Examines concepts, theories and research related to advanced practice roles
- Capstone: Culminating course of the MSN program that teaches the synthesis of learned concepts and theories through the development of an individual scholarly project.
Depending on the specialized track you choose, focused courses dive deeper into different areas of interest and equip graduates with the confidence to make a meaningful impact.
Nurse Educator Courses
- Nursing Curriculum Design: Teaches students how to develop, design and implement nursing education curriculum
- Nursing Instructional Methods: Teaches strategies and procedures to use in academic and clinical settings
- Evaluation in Nursing Education: Explores methods, frameworks and basic principles of educational assessment
- Nurse Educator Role: Teaches concepts, theories, and research skills related to academic and clinical nursing education
- Nurse Educator Practicum 1 and 2: Provides students with supervised field experience, enabling them to apply academic concepts to real-world problems
Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Courses
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 1-3: Teaches advanced skills and professional behaviors required to provide comprehensive and holistic care to a diverse population
- Practicum 1-3: A total of 540 hours, split into 180 hours each of supervised clinical practicum in an acute care setting
Family Nurse Practitioner Courses
- Family Nurse Practitioner 1-3: Teaches foundational knowledge with an emphasis on health promotion, maintenance and management of families, from children to adults
- Practicum 1-4: A total of 600 hours, split into 150 hours each of supervised clinical practicum in a primary care setting
What Are the Career Paths and Job Outlook for Nurses With an MSN Degree?
The demand for healthcare leadership is growing substantially for several reasons. A larger aging population and the rise in chronic conditions that accompany aging require more medical services and a more complex demand for care. Staff shortages, many due to a post-pandemic exodus due to stress and exhaustion, have led to a decrease in qualified nursing professionals across the entire healthcare industry. According to a 2023 report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the number of students in entry-level nursing programs decreased by 1.4%, ending a 20-year period of enrollment growth.
Additional factors, such as rapid technological advancements, constantly shifting regulatory environments and an increased focus on integrated and preventative care, make the need for qualified nurses with leadership skills vital to the industry. Each specialization available through the online MSN programs at YSU leads to crucial healthcare roles that speak to these growing demands. These include:
- Average salary: $80,780
- Positions: Nursing faculty, hospital educator, program manager, patient educator
Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Roles
- Average salary: $110,886
- Positions: Advanced practice registered nurse, hospitalist NP, critical care NP, emergency department NP
Family Nurse Practitioner Roles
- Average salary: $127,976
- Positions: Clinic or private practice NP, school NP, at-home NP, community health center NP
Inside YSU’s Online MSN Programs
YSU’s online MSN programs advance your nursing practice with coursework designed to give you a professional advantage in the evolving field of healthcare. The MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, ensuring a rigorous and high-quality education for students. The required practicum enriches graduates with the ability to apply new knowledge and skills in real-time. In addition, supportive faculty provide applicable experience and personalized attention to each student, understanding your need to balance work, life and education.
Online courses with multiple start dates allow students to study at a time and place that fits their lifestyle, so they don’t have to pause personal and professional responsibilities to advance their careers. With a pay-by-the-course tuition model, YSU supports you in gaining your degree without causing financial stress. With a deep focus on relevant coursework, working nurses enrolled in an MSN program can use new learning immediately on the job, leading to faster advancement and salary increases.
Take the Next Step on Your MSN Journey Today
Earning an online MSN degree from YSU can increase your earning potential and unlock new career possibilities while helping you develop the leadership and specialization skills the modern healthcare industry requires. A high growth rate of careers for graduates, and high average salaries across fields, make an MSN a valuable graduate degree for nurses looking to make an even bigger impact.
YSU offers accessible, fully online MSN programs that align with your current responsibilities and ambitions. Whether you are looking for a career change, a new focus, or the chance to improve staff and patient experiences, an MSN at YSU can get you there. If you are ready to take the first steps towards your future in nursing leadership, apply today to one of YSU’s online Master of Science in Nursing programs and invest in your nursing career.
