02/19/2024
Did you know securing an MSN qualifies you for nursing leadership roles?
What’s better? You can earn significantly better pay, access numerous improved opportunities, and maintain an excellent hierarchical ranking.
However, the BSN — MSN process is a two-part journey, starting with BSN acquisition within the first four years.
But guess what? You can earn your BSN and MSN, subsequently, much faster! We’re talking about two years faster.
How? Discover that and more, including what BSN entails, the MSN essentials, and the potential pay range, in this comprehensive guide.
Ready? Here we go!
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a degree awarded to students who complete a corresponding program in nursing school.
BSN is also an advancement step for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) nurses, as the more intensive curriculum leads to higher salaries and improved prospects.
Completing your BSN opens the door for an MSN, your ticket to the most prestigious and rewarding nursing roles, such as nurse case managers and mental health practitioners. An MSN also qualifies you for leadership, training, and managerial positions.
Conventional BSN programs take four years of clinical hours, simulation labs, and classroom sessions.
However, accelerated BSN programs shorten this timeframe to two years with more rigorous learning requirements.
ABSN-holders are as qualified as BSN nurses, as the educational standards remain the same, and the former only speeds up the process.
These accelerated alternatives may be preferable to people new to the nursing field, and they are a faster way to your nursing license and MSN degree.
A BSN is more than a means to an end. The degree may be a precursor to MSN, but BSN nurses are excellent, too.
You can average $77,000+ annually as a BSN-holder, and this figure can continuously improve. What’s better?
Studies show BSN nurses record lower patient mortality rates than their ADN and DN counterparts, leading to the BSN-in-ten New York law mandating all licensed nurses to obtain their BSN within a decade of license receipt.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics department predicts a 9% growth in the profession from 2020 to 2030. By contrast, the department expects a 3% decline in the accountancy field during the same period.
In addition, BSN nurses make excellent salaries, subject to location, employer, experience, and specialization. The table below presents the average hourly and annual BSN wages per state.
| State | Hourly | Monthly | Annually |
| Alabama | $33.18 | $5,751 | $69,016 |
| Alaska | $35.18 | $6,098 | $73,176 |
| Arizona | $35.22 | $6,105 | $73,256 |
| Arkansas | $30.76 | $5,332 | $63,981 |
| California | $40.13 | $6,956 | $83,471 |
| Colorado | $32.75 | $5,677 | $68,123 |
| Connecticut | $36.05 | $6,248 | $74,978 |
| Delaware | $32.69 | $5,666 | $67,994 |
| Florida | $32.02 | $5,550 | $66,604 |
| Georgia | $33.97 | $5,889 | $70,668 |
| Hawaii | $36.96 | $6,407 | $76,879 |
| Idaho | $37.78 | $6,549 | $78,592 |
| Illinois | $30.59 | $5,303 | $63,634 |
| Indiana | $34.99 | $6,065 | $72,786 |
| Iowa | $32.74 | $5,675 | $68,102 |
| Kansas | $32.93 | $5,707 | $68,489 |
| Kentucky | $33.54 | $5,431 | $69,767 |
| Louisiana | $33.31 | $5,775 | $69,294 |
| Maine | $37.14 | $6,437 | $77,249 |
| Maryland | $34.98 | $6,063 | $72,753 |
| Massachusetts | $38.07 | $6,598 | $79,179 |
| Michigan | $30.73 | $5,327 | $63,925 |
| Minnesota | $34.35 | $5,954 | $71,452 |
| Mississippi | $30.85 | $5,347 | $64,166 |
| Missouri | $30.08 | $5,214 | $62,562 |
| Montana | $35.59 | $6,168 | $74,017 |
| Nebraska | $34.42 | $5,965 | $71,585 |
| Nevada | $34.90 | $6,050 | $72,601 |
| New Hampshire | $40.74 | $7,062 | $84,739 |
| New Jersey | $35.43 | $6,142 | $73,703 |
| New Mexico | $32.56 | $5,643 | $67,721 |
| New York | $42.06 | $7,291 | $87,488 |
| North Carolina | $28.00 | $4,854 | $58,250 |
| North Dakota | $34.94 | $6,056 | $72,671 |
| Ohio | $34.10 | $5,910 | $70,923 |
| Oklahoma | $31.99 | $5,544 | $66,532 |
| Oregon | $33.41 | $5,791 | $69,488 |
| Pennsylvania | $36.37 | $6,228 | $75,659 |
| Rhode Island | $35.45 | $6,145 | $73,736 |
| South Carolina | $32.86 | $5,696 | $68,357 |
| South Dakota | $33.92 | $5,879 | $70,549 |
| Tennessee | $34.35 | $5,954 | $71,443 |
| Texas | $36.66 | $6,355 | $76,258 |
| Utah | $33.61 | $5,826 | $69,916 |
| Vermont | $38.47 | $6,669 | $80,022 |
| Virginia | $33.96 | $5,887 | $70,647 |
| Washington | $45.08 | $7,814 | $93,772 |
| West Virginia | $36.55 | $6,336 | $76,026 |
| Wisconsin | $34.26 | $5,939 | $71,264 |
| Wyoming | $37.59 | $6,515 | $78,178 |
An MSN is an advanced degree awarded to BSN nurses following two extra years in nursing school. This degree represents the entryway into educational and managerial nursing roles, preparing you for a career as a clinical nurse leader, health policy expert, or nurse administrator.
Securing an MSN requires completing extra clinical hours, additional hours in the simulation labs, and a more insightful nursing curriculum.
Core courses in MSN programs depend on the school and specialty. Regardless, there’s a common ground where these programs meet.
For perspective, the following list contains courses required by CCNE-accredited Florida National University.
| Course ID | Course | Credit Hours |
| NGR 5101 | Nursing Theory | 3 |
| NGR 6812 | Nursing Research & Evidence Based | 3 |
| NGR 5891 | Health Care Policy | 3 |
| NGR 6636 | Health Promotion and Role Development in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NGR 5674 | Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Principles | 3 |
| NGR 6871 | Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
Nurse Educator
| Course ID | Course | Credit Hours |
| NGR 6101 | Nursing Curriculum Development | 3 |
| NGR 6710 | Teaching and Learning Strategies | 3 |
| NGR 6712 | Introduction to Educational Concepts | 3 |
| NGR 6715 | Instructional Technology | 3 |
| NGR 6718 | Assessment and Evaluation Strategies | 3 |
| NGR 6940 | Nurse Educator Practicum (Capstone Project) | 3 |
| NGR 5035 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NGR 5141 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NGR 6172 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| Total | 27 |
Nurse Leadership and Management
| Course ID | Course | Credit Hours |
| NGR 6110 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NGR 6120 | Nursing Decision-Making in Complex Health Systems | 3 |
| NGR 6720 | Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
| NGR 6722 | Financial Management and Resource Development | 3 |
| NGR 5700 | Decision Making | 3 |
| NGR 6942 | Nurse Leadership and Management Practicum (Capstone Project) | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
Family Nurse Practitioner
| Course ID | Course | Credit Hours |
| NGR 5035 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NGR 5141 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NGR 6172 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NGR 6610 | Advanced Primary Care of Family I | 3 |
| NGR 6610 L | Advanced Primary Care of Family Practicum I | 3 |
| NGR 6616 | Advanced Primary Care of Family II | 3 |
| NGR 6616 L | Advanced Primary Care of Family Practicum II | 3 |
| NGR 6638 | Integration Advanced Primary Care of Family | 3 |
| NGR 6619 L | Advanced Family Practicum III | 3 |
| Total | 27 |
Simulation labs are virtual settings that replicate possible healthcare situations you may run into to prepare you beforehand. The replicable settings differ according to the program; therefore, MSN nurses can expect to simulate more complex cases than BSN students.
These sessions help you sharpen your classroom knowledge in anticipation of actual situations.
Some MSN nursing simulation scenarios include correcting an infant’s air leak syndrome, addressing head injuries, performing respiratory assessments, and providing oxygen.
Clinical hours are not new to MSN students, given they’re a requirement for BSN acquisition, too. These hours introduce you to real-world healthcare settings, helping to demonstrate the skills you’ve learnt and honed in the classroom and simulation labs, respectively.
The mandatory hours differ according to the institution, as some may be 900 and others as high as 1,500. For instance, the Western University of Health Sciences MSN curriculum demands 1,395 clinical hours.
Supervisors grade clinical hours according to attendance, preparedness, and homework. Suppose your grades are impressive after a specific session. The clinic may assign a small caseload to you under a preceptor’s supervision.
An MSN degree provides exclusive advantages; they include:
Obtaining your MSN allows you to fill leadership or managerial positions as Assistant Nursing Manager, Chief Nursing Officer, or Clinical Research Specialist. Each role focuses on a subset of improving healthcare from an overarching perspective.
Your functions may include optimizing how cross-functional care teams work, managing nursing budgets and influencing health policy in your region.
BSN nurses can settle for their most passionate nursing areas through their MSN. You may opt for pediatric care, gerontology, neonatal care, or anything else.
The MSN program introduces learners to new lessons, developing their existing skill sets. Consequently, MSN nurses are more qualified than BSN-holders in healthcare settings and boast better records.
The primary criteria for evaluating accelerated BSN to MSN programs include:
Select an MSN program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
These organizations ensure your education is up to standard. You can also transfer credits to other accredited programs for the eventual pursuit of a second MSN specialty or a Doctor of Nursing degree.
Accelerated BSN to MSN programs can cost as little as $300 per credit and $1200 per credit. Cost per credit depends on the institution, location, and other factors.
The more complex the prerequisite and admissions requirements, the harder it is to get into the program. Look for significant expectations (e.g., achieving at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, more than one year of clinical experience, multiple letters of recommendation, and one or more in-person interviews).
Yes, you can become an MSN nurse irrespective of your current qualification. These alternatives include:
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), advanced practice nurses make a median annual salary of $123,780.
Below is the average MSN salary by state, broken out by hourly, monthly, and annually, courtesy of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| State | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
| Alabama | $52.18 | $9,050 | $108,540 |
| Alaska | $62.91 | $10,900 | $130,850 |
| Arizona | $51.62 | $8,950 | $107,370 |
| Arkansas | $49.75 | $8,620 | $103,470 |
| California | $68.62 | $11,890 | $142,720 |
| Colorado | $51.30 | $8,890 | $106,700 |
| Connecticut | $58.39 | $10,120 | $121,460 |
| Delaware | $54.91 | $9,520 | $114,220 |
| District of Columbia | $56.39 | $9,780 | $117,300 |
| Florida | $53.12 | $9,210 | $110,490 |
| Georgia | $51.22 | $8,880 | $106,540 |
| Hawaii | $63.97 | $11,090 | $133,060 |
| Idaho | $50.83 | $8,810 | $105,720 |
| Illinois | $51.08 | $8,850 | $106,240 |
| Indiana | $53.38 | $9,250 | $111,030 |
| Iowa | $60.97 | $10,570 | $126,820 |
| Kansas | $51.28 | $8,890 | $106,670 |
| Kentucky | $53.88 | $9,340 | $112,070 |
| Louisiana | $50.71 | $8,790 | $105,480 |
| Maine | $49.84 | $8,640 | $103,660 |
| Maryland | $54.28 | $9,410 | $112,900 |
| Massachusetts | $61.89 | $10,730 | $128,730 |
| Michigan | $55.36 | $9,600 | $115,140 |
| Minnesota | $64.97 | $11,260 | $135,140 |
| Mississippi | $54.74 | $9,490 | $113,860 |
| Missouri | $47.23 | $8,190 | $98,230 |
| Montana | $67.04 | $11,620 | $139,440 |
| Nebraska | $51.13 | $8,860 | $106,340 |
| Nevada | $59.19 | $10,260 | $123,110 |
| New Hampshire | $54.22 | $9,400 | $112,780 |
| New Jersey | $51.27 | $8,890 | $106,640 |
| New Mexico | $51.22 | $8,880 | $106,540 |
| New York | $59.98 | $10,400 | $124,750 |
| North Carolina | $53.86 | $9,340 | $112,020 |
| North Dakota | $59.97 | $10,400 | $124,740 |
| Ohio | $51.23 | $8,880 | $106,560 |
| Oklahoma | $50.63 | $8,780 | $105,320 |
| Oregon | $60.86 | $10,550 | $126,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $52.27 | $9,060 | $108,730 |
| Rhode Island | $43.19 | $7,490 | $89,830 |
| South Carolina | $49.83 | $8,640 | $103,640 |
| South Dakota | $56.07 | $9,720 | $116,630 |
| Tennessee | $46.91 | $8,130 | $97,570 |
| Texas | $51.42 | $8,910 | $106,960 |
| Utah | $53.06 | $9,200 | $110,360 |
| Vermont | $42.24 | $7,320 | $87,850 |
| Virginia | $56.83 | $9,850 | $118,210 |
| Washington | $58.30 | $10,110 | $121,260 |
| West Virginia | $56.61 | $9,810 | $117,750 |
| Wisconsin | $57.57 | $9,980 | $119,740 |
| Wyoming | $69.04 | $11,970 | $143,610 |
Earning potential takes the backseat when considering a specialization role, as most nurses prioritize passion. Regardless, the expected salary range is not insignificant. Discover the highest-paying jobs MSNs can earn to decide informedly on your specialization.
Average Annual Salary: $195,610
Description: Administering anesthesia and other sedatives to patients before and after surgery, working alongside other medical professionals to assess patient health and minimize pain.
Requirements: Obtain a PhD and pass the National Boards of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists certification exam.
Average Annual Salary: $108,132
Description: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of newborns that have complex healthcare issues, such as premature births.
Requirements: Obtain a PhD and pass the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner exam (National Certification Corporation).
Average Annual Salary: $111,680
Description: Working similar to physicians, nurse practitioners provide complete health services for everyone from newborns to the elderly. This responsibility includes performing diagnosing and prescribing medications, and some states allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medicines without the supervision of a physician.
Requirements: Master’s degree or higher and one or more NP certifications, including Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (A-GNP), Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification (ENP).
Average Annual Salary: $114,210
Description: Assist child birthing women during pre and the postpartum period.
Requirements: Master’s degree or higher and American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) certification.
Average Annual Salary: $106,407
Description: Educational role teaching and supporting nurses across a variety of disciplines, including intensive unit care, geriatrics, and women’s health.
Requirements: Earn an MSNM and pass the ANCC – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC) exam.
Average Annual Salary: $104,280
Description: Managing a team of nurses and working on all aspects related to finances, including staffing and equipment budgets.
Requirements: Obtain an MSN and Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Note: Other applicable certifications include Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC), Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP), and Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).
Average Annual Salary: $102,230
Description: Extensive work with computerized provider order entry (CPOE) and electronic medical records (EMRs) to help hospitals limit errors and overruns.
Requirements: Obtain an MSN and Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC) examination by the ANCC.
Note: All certifications require holding an active RN license, MSN degree, minimum number of practice hours in the field, and completion of continuing education credits within a set time frame. For more details, contact your specialty’s certification board.
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Cost Per Credit: $372 (in state); $1,027 (out of state)
Total Credits Needed: 30-48 credits
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Cost Per Credit: $412
Total Credits Needed: 32
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Cost Per Credit: $616 (in state); $1,632 (out of state)
Total Credits Needed: 42-43 credits
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Cost Per Credit: $552
Total Credits Needed: 35-46
Location: Orem, UT
Tuition: $5,418 (in state); $16,362 (out of state)
Total Credits Needed: 34-37
Location: Monroe, LA
Cost Per credit: $480
Total Credits Needed: 40-45
Location: Orlando, FL
Cost Per Credit: $370 (in state); $1,194 (out of state)
Total Credits Needed: 31-36
Location: Carson, CA
Cost Per Credit: Varies
Total Credits Needed: 30-48
Yes, MSN students can access scholarships from numerous organizations. In addition, they may explore federal and private aid options, grants, and work-study programs to ease the financial burden.
Reputable aid options for MSN students include:
Amount: $5,000
Requirements: Currently enrolled in a graduate program and a member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, American College of Nurse-Midwives, or the National Association of Neonatal Nurses.
Amount: $5,000
Requirements: Currently enrolled in an accredited MSN program and interested in a career in oncology nursing.
Amount: $2,500-$10,000
Requirements: Enrolled in an accredited graduate school and member of a national professional nursing association.
Amount: $3,500
Requirements: Enrolled in an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) -accredited graduate program and NursingCAS affiliate.
Amount: Two $2,500 awards per semester.
Requirements: GSNA members, enrolled in AACN-accredited graduate nursing program, and written essay on leadership contributions to the nursing profession.
Becoming a Master of Science in Nursing is a remarkable feat due to the challenges and complexities involved. Luckily, you can quicken and simplify the process through accelerated BSN programs, serving as a springboard to your preferred MSN degree.
Secure your MSN degree for more opportunities, increased pay, and improved ability. But if you’re not ready, a BSN is an excellent degree likewise. Take your time before take-off!
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