What is an MSN?

An online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced nursing degree that can be completed in as little as two years. An MSN degree is highly valuable in today’s healthcare environment and can set you on a career path with a variety of advancement opportunities.

With multiple types of MSN degrees available, you may be asking: what IS an MSN, and how can I specialize? Learn about the different types of MSN degrees, and how an MSN can help you take the next step in your career.

Types of MSN Degrees

FNP 

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide care for all ages — from infants to the elderly. They have flexible work settings and can be found in hospitals, primary care and specialty clinics and long-term care facilities. 

It’s also becoming increasingly common for school systems to employ FNPs to care for their students. FNPs may also work in occupational health. 

FNPs manage chronic conditions in primary care settings and evaluate and treat acute, non-life-threatening ailments. They conduct physicals, oversee routine health needs and perform the general duties of a Nurse Practitioner (NP). 

69.7% of NPs are certified as FNPs, making it the most common of the NP specialties, largely due to the flexibility that the role entails.  

Since FNPs treat across the lifespan, they often develop long-term relationships with their patients. FNPs are in high demand, as they’re uniquely suited to help fill the gap in primary care due to the physician shortage.  

Spring Arbor’s online MSN-FNP program can equip you with the skills needed to care for those most in need across the lifespan.

PMHNP 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) specialize in mental healthcare. PMHNPs make up 4.7% of NPs and work with patients with mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety.  

They provide patients with counseling, resources, medication management and monitoring, while also prescribing therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.  

PMHNPs may also work in many different settings, including community clinics, hospitals, psychiatric specialty hospitals and outpatient mental health clinics. 

This NP specialty is in high demand as 1 in 5 adults experience some form of mental illness in the U.S. in any given year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Spring Arbor’s online MSN-PMHNP program is uniquely designed, and ideal for working nurses interested in advancing their careers while specializing in mental health.

PNP 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) see patients from birth up until young adulthood. Approximately 3.2% of NPs are PNPs in the U.S. This specialty differs from the FNP in that PNPs don’t treat patients who are older than 21 years of age. 

PNPs have plenty of options when it comes to practice settings. They may opt to work in pediatric primary care offices, hospitals and urgent care centers that specifically treat children and young adults, and schools. 

Some of the PNP’s duties include performing wellness visits, performing routine physicals, managing childhood vaccinations, providing parents with education on milestones and development and identifying any problem areas in patients’ development. 

Nurses with a passion for working with young children may choose to become PNPs, as it’s the only certification among NP specialties focusing solely on pediatrics.  

Learn how Spring Arbor’s online MSN-PNP program can provide you with clinical expertise to support the optimal health of children through primary care.

NE 

Nurses who enjoy precepting and teaching new nurses may enjoy a fulfilling career as a Nurse Educator (NE). The current nursing shortage is partially due to a shortage of nurse educators, making them in high demand. More educators are needed to teach the current and future generations of nurses.  

Nurse educators guide the next generation of healthcare workers and are trained to pass along their skills and experience to BSN and/or ADN nursing students.  

Nurse educators are experts in educational theory and curriculum design, earning as much as $119,050 depending on experience.

Spring Arbor’s online MSN-NE prepares students for CNE certification while providing them with the hands-on experience needed to begin training aspiring nurses.

AGNP 

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs) focus on the care of patients ages 13 and up. AGNPs make up 7.0% of NPs. 

Adult-Gerontology NPs specializing in primary care help their patients manage chronic conditions, especially those that come with advanced age. They perform annual physicals, order screening labs and tests and adjust their patients’ treatment plans. 

AGNPs also educate patients on normal age-related changes and what to expect as they grow older. They often work in primary care offices, long-term care facilities and nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. They may also work in occupational health. 

NPs focused on acute care gerontology are most often stationed in hospital settings. These NPs provide a range of care including disease prevention and acute care management, which may involve specialist treatment and discharge aftercare. 

They’re prepared to work on any hospital floor, including the emergency department, intensive care unit and urgent care clinics. 

If you want to gain the skills needed to care for adolescents, adults and the elderly, Spring Arbor University’s online MSN-AGPCNP will provide you with an accessible, faith-based program that aligns with your life and values. Continue working full time as you gain the experience required to graduate prepared for the AGPC certification exam (AGPCNP-BC® or AGNP-C).

MSN-MBA 

Ambitious nurses with strong leadership skills may benefit from a Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration (MSN/MBA) dual degree. Students can often choose from different degree concentrations, including health care administration, human resource development, organizational consulting, management, cybersecurity and executive leadership. 

Students earning a dual MSN-MBA learn the ins and outs of healthcare operations, including the improvement of services, development of policies and procedures and international business management.  

A common role for those who hold this degree is Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). CNOs oversee the delivery of patient care and ensure clinical and staffing standards are met. On average, chief nursing officers with an MSN-MBA earn over $144,475* annually

Learn how SAU’s online MSN-MBA Dual Degree can prepare you for the next stage of your career as a driven, ethical business leader.

Did you know: You may be wondering how an RN and MSN are different. MSN degrees provide registered nurses with the experience and skillset needed to obtain more senior positions and specializations. 

MSN Salary 

What is the salary range earned by a nurse with an MSN? 

Depending on their degree focus, MSN graduates may work as nurse practitioners, health care administrators, nurse educators or even hospital executives. Average annual salaries depend on the type of MSN and career path but range from $86,530 for nurse educators, to $128,490 for nurse practitioners, to $144,475 for Chief Nursing Officers. 

MSN Requirements 

How do I enroll? 

In order to enroll in a Spring Arbor University (SAU) online MSN program, students must have the following: 

1. Associate degree in nursing, diploma in nursing or bachelor of science in nursing leading to RN licensure  
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended  
3. A 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits  
4. An unrestricted, unencumbered, current nursing license from the state of employment; license must be kept current throughout the program  
5. Short personal statement  
6. Completed online application 

Did you know: SAU also offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which provides opportunities for advanced leadership positions. If you already have your MSN, this is the perfect next step to help you take your career to the next level.

Accelerate Your Career with an Online MSN 

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing is the first step toward achieving your dream of becoming a nurse educator, nurse practitioner, nurse manager or nurse executive. Earning your MSN is made highly accessible through Spring Arbor University’s online format. Students may take one course at a time, enabling passionate nurses to continue working full-time.  

Affordable tuition and financial aid options mean that achieving your career goals does not need to set your bank account back. Our dedicated advisors are always happy to answer any questions you may have and get you on your way to a fulfilling career. 

SAU online students also benefit from having a strong support network. Each student is matched to a Student Success Coach who provides support, helps students with work-life balance and encourages students to pursue career goals. In addition, SAU provides spiritual development assistance, offering spiritual direction and support from the university chaplain. 

Spring Arbor University’s online nursing degree programs were designed with working nurses in mind. Pursuing an online MSN allows nurses to continue building their careers while being able to provide for themselves and their families.