Master’s in Nursing Options: Paving Your Path to Advanced Nursing Roles

The healthcare industry is becoming increasingly complex and expensive. It’s also experiencing distinct disruption from rapidly advancing technology and changing regulations. Many believe that making nurses full partners and leaders in the industry is key to revolutionizing healthcare in the United States. According to leading labor market analytics firm EMSI, jobs for nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing are projected to grow by 13.9% by 2031. Advanced practice nursing roles, such as nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists, are projected to see an even greater increase in demand—with jobs growing by 45% by 2030 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Whether you want to continue providing direct patient care or move into administrative roles, today’s nurses need master’s degrees to rise through the ranks and become leaders in all facets of healthcare. An advanced nursing degree opens the door to new job opportunities, increased responsibilities and higher salaries. A master’s degree in nursing also offers the opportunity to specialize in the area of healthcare about which you’re most passionate.

Direct Entry and Advanced Practice Specialty Roles

We offer an on-campus Entry to Nursing Program, as well as a number of distance-based, online master’s programs that blend asynchronous and synchronous weekly learning experiences with in-person, hands-on experiences to prepare students for their advanced practice specialty roles.

Master of Science Entry to Nursing Program (MS-EN)

The Master of Science Entry to Nursing Program (MS-EN) is a five-semester, on-campus, direct-entry program that prepares students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields for clinical nursing careers. This revised Master of Science Entry to Nursing Program, opening in 2024, builds on the humanities and sciences using reflection and experiential learning. The program revision is based on nearly two decades of success with students from other careers preparing for clinical nursing in our current complex health care systems.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program

The distance-based, online master’s in nursing FNP program prepares students to manage care for individuals and families in primary care settings. In an MSN-FNP program you’ll gain the expertise and clinical skills necessary to assess and manage common acute and chronic illnesses, promote healthy habits and help prevent diseases for individuals throughout their lives. Upon graduation, students will have the competencies to assess and manage common acute and chronic illnesses, promote health and wellness, and prevent disease.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) Program

The distance-based, online master’s in nursing AG-ACNP program prepares students for clinical practice providing care for adult and geriatric patients. Students are empowered to alleviate patient and family suffering and facilitate ethical decision-making in complex care settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one of the primary drivers of growth for nursing is the increasing size of our elderly population, who typically have more medical problems than younger people.

Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (NM/WHNP) Program

The distance-based, online master’s in nursing NM/WHNP program prepares students to provide primary care to individuals across the lifespan as well as during the labor, birth and postpartum periods. Midwives provide care for all individuals who seek midwifery care, inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations. This program allows students to manage sexual and reproductive health and gynecologic health; provide family planning services and preconception care; and manage the care of newborns up to one month.

Pathway Options for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Within the field of nursing, there are many different specializations in terms of patient populations and care settings. The following options align with specific career paths:

• MSN-Generalist: A foundational program that opens the door to a wide variety of career paths, including advanced patient care, health policy, and nurse education.
• MSN-FNP: Focuses on the role of primary care provider for individuals and families with more autonomy.
• MSN-AGPCNP: Prepares students to work in a variety of care settings dedicated to elderly care, including hospitals and private clinics.
• MSN-ADM (Nurse Administrator): Provides the critical thinking and problem solving skills needed to provide strategic planning and oversight as healthcare delivery grows more complex.

Program Comparison Table

MSN Pathway	Program Duration	Core Focus
MS-EN	5 Semesters	Direct-entry for non-nursing bachelor degrees
MSN-Generalist	As few as 18 months	Evidence-based healthcare and leadership
MSN-FNP	27 months	Primary care for individuals and families
MSN-AGPCNP	As few as 28 months	Specialized care for aging populations

The Leadership Pathway: Nurse Administrator (MSN-ADM)

As healthcare delivery continues to grow more complex, nurses assuming leadership roles will be critical for navigating the challenges ahead. In an MSN-ADM program, you’ll gain the critical thinking and problem solving skills needed to provide strategic planning and oversight.