Compare Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online degree programs

Why become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)?

Nurses are the foundation of the American healthcare system. Through a lens of compassion, nurses work diligently to provide exceptional care, identify and treat patient needs, collaborate with teams of physicians, and more.

“You are the eyes and ears of the doctor because you are with the family and the patient for 12 hours…What you see could be different than what the doctor sees when they come in or when the therapist comes in,” said Allie Foy, who works as a pediatric nurse. “Your knowledge of what you're seeing the patient do throughout the day could really change the plan of care.”

By earning an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you will propel your nursing career forward as a well-rounded advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Discover immersive specializations, explore new technologies, and learn in-demand management skills to lead your teams to success. Online MSN programs feature interdisciplinary curricula that blend innovative online learning with in-person clinical practicums. Take the next step in your career and stand on the cutting edge of medicine.

Admission requirements for a master’s degree in nursing online

Admissions requirements and prerequisites for an online MSN vary based on university and program. In general, most programs require:

• A in nursing () from an accredited program and college transcripts

• A minimum GPA score

• Standardized test scores, such as the GRE

• A current, unrestricted U.S. registered nurse (RN) license

• Personal essays or a statement of purpose

• A resume or CV

• Letters of recommendation

• An interview (typically video) with an admission professional

Some no longer require GRE scores to apply. However, they may require prerequisite courses such as chemistry, anatomy, biology, microbiology, and others. You should complete these courses before you submit your online MSN applications. Many programs also require registered nursing (RN) experience to apply.

Online MSN curriculum

Prepare for your career as an advanced nursing professional and choose the best online MSN program for you. An online MSN program might take anywhere from 21 months to 33 months to complete. Timelines vary on your desired schedule — full time, part time, accelerated, or extended — and which specialization you pursue.

Some online MSN programs require applicants to choose their specialization upon enrollment; others allow you to decide further into your academic journey. Regardless, you should consider your desired specialization before you apply. There is a chance your prospective program will not offer it.

In addition to online coursework, programs often require students to complete a certain number of in-person clinical hours to gain hands-on experience. The specific amount of hours may vary depending on the program type and the certifying board. Coursework varies across each program and specialization. However, online MSN curriculums generally include:

Online master’s in nursing: jobs and specializations

Certified nursing careers are diverse and offer an array of opportunities. You will find online MSN graduates working in fast-paced environments, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, physician offices, educational facilities, and more.

“Nursing careers aren’t an A to B with a direct line drawn between them,” said Caroline Yacoe, career expert at edX. “There are so many different directions to go in. Even if you’ve gone down one path, you can pivot.”

Potential areas of specialization and job titles include:

• Nurse practitioner (NP): Leverage a comprehensive medical perspective to treat and diagnose a range of health conditions.

• : Provide family-oriented care to people of diverse ages and backgrounds.

• Adult-gerontology (A-GNP): Deliver age-appropriate care to adults in every stage of life, from early adulthood to seniors.

• : Observe, diagnose, and treat patients who suffer with mental illness. Provide intensive therapy and prescribe psychiatric medications.

• Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA): Administer precise anesthesia dosages and identify potential anesthetic risks or complications.

• Certified nurse midwife (CNM): Provide extensive gynecological care, from preconception to pregnancy to early infancy.

• Pain management nurse: Assess patients’ chronic or acute pain and develop treatment plans with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

• Critical care nurse: Treat and monitor critically ill or injured patients while also meeting their basic needs.

• Research nurse: Ensure patients meet protocol goals and collect blood samples, check lab work, administer vaccines, and more.

• Nurse educator: Develop lesson plans and teach nursing courses to faculty in nursing schools or to fellow nurses working in healthcare facilities and hospitals.

• Neonatal nurse (NNP): Monitor the health of patients throughout their pregnancies. Check newborn infants’ vital signs and develop effective care plans.

What nursing jobs pay the most?

Advance in your nursing career and increase your earning potential. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 38% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the national average.type: embedded-entry-inline id: 4TUNJrYVeHr8Snxr0rr1eD In 2022, the overall median annual wage for the same group was nearly $126,000.

Median pay for key nursing careers (2022)type: embedded-entry-inline id: 3pfnXH12mg4SZ5zKHdOWv8

• Nurse anesthetist: $203,090

• Nurse practitioner (NP): $121,610

• Nurse midwife (CNM): $120,880

Median pay by nursing settings (2021)type: embedded-entry-inline id: 4UufCjo6NppFaJjG8av1Fu

• Hospitals; state, local, and private: $133,030

• Outpatient care centers: $131,200

• Offices of physicians: $122,560

• Educational services; state, local, and private: $110,260

• Offices of other health practitioners: $107,220

Find the best online MSN program for your nursing career

Discover an online MSN program that checks every box. You might consider these factors when you’re exploring which online MSN program is best for you:

• School prestige:

  Explore top-ranked universities and CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs that will challenge you and develop you into a world-class professional.

• Length of study:

  Choose an online nursing program with a length of study that best suits your busy schedule: full time, part time, accelerated, or extended.

• Clinical placements:

  Engage in in-person clinical placements that immerse you in the multidisciplinary world of advanced practice registered nursing.

• Graduation rates:

  Review graduation rates to better understand the quality of an online master’s program.

• Career outcomes:

  Learn what to expect from the job market and discover alumni’s post-graduation employment rates.

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