If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s that you need to remain relevant in today’s job market. One career that’s sure to stay useful in years to come is nursing. Hence why pursuing an MSN degree is worth it. With an advanced degree like this, there’s a lot one can do in the medical sector. What’s more, being an advanced practice nurse has more advantages than you could imagine, whether it involves job satisfaction, financial benefits, or relevance in the job market.
As far as occupations go, nursing is quite broad, but pursuing a nursing career through an MSN Degree opens more doors. With that in mind, here are five reasons why you should seek an MSN Degree.
1. You’ll gain more knowledge.
Especially in the healthcare sector, a master’s degree is a big plus since discoveries and advancements are made every day. Having a master’s degree means you are privy to all sorts of information. Everything from the different types of seizures to advanced public health is at your disposal.
They say in life that you can only succeed if you never stop learning. Well, that’s even more true when it comes to medical care. You can qualify to work in various settings and gain clinical experience in places you never imagined. More so, if you want to keep your cool in every medical emergency, then even a good undergraduate GPA will not be able to get you there. It’s a good idea to get additional qualifications.
2. You’ll have access to funding.
Sometimes, the only thing standing between you and that Master of Science is money. Let’s face it; even if you’re going for an online MSN program, it can be a bit pricey. Yes, even the most affordable online MSN programs can hemorrhage your bank account. The great thing is that some employers set aside funds to provide financial aid to any nurse practitioners looking to pursue a nursing program. You’ll never really know if you don’t make inquiries along that line. So, don’t limit your professional goals because of funding. Most employers are ready to lend a helping hand as you embark on your nursing program.
3. You’ll receive a salary bump.
Your payscale is probably already attractive, but you can enjoy an even higher salary if you level up professionally. Healthcare professionals are some of the highest earners out there, but the more knowledgeable they are, the more money they pull in. That alone makes it an excellent idea to pursue either an online degree program or a nursing program as a full-time student. Either way, the pay raise is worth it, and if you’re fortunate, that may come with better hours.
4. You’ll become a specialist.
There’s more to nursing than simply becoming a registered nurse. Once you cross that bridge, the next step is to find an area of specialization. In a nutshell, the role of nurses in healthcare is rapidly evolving. You could specialize in adult-gerontology or become a family nurse practitioner. Alternatively, you can simply join the ranks of public health nurses.
Even more, you can become a nurse administrator and put those clinical skills to use in another area. Either way, graduate students have the whole world at their fingertips. A master’s degree is one way to concentrate on your specialty.
5. Qualify for leadership roles.
To qualify for a nurse leader position, you need a little bit more than your BSN degree. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to further your education. For the most part, the higher your qualifications, the more you have access to specific well-sought-out roles, especially at the management level.
You may even find some graduate courses that specifically concentrate on developing leadership skills. Altogether, you’ll be qualified for roles your Bachelor’s degree could never afford you.
