Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Overview

Registered nurses (RNs) who have completed a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) work as leaders, educators, and independent practitioners in their field. MSN programs are two to four years long and have different curriculums for different nursing specialties. Nurse managers and educators in hospital settings are usually RNs with leadership-focused MSNs.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are RNs who have completed specialized MSN programs and earned additional certification. The four types of APRNs in the U.S. are nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). There are many career paths for MSN graduates to act as leaders in nursing.

MSN Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing programs generally require candidates who have completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). MSN applicants will need to submit their transcripts from their BSN, as well as their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores if required by the school. Other requirements often include an active RN license, one year or more of clinical nursing experience, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and an interview. Many MSN programs can be quite competitive, particularly certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) programs, and that is reflected in their rigorous application processes.

MSN programs that do not require a BSN or RN certification are rare, but can be a great option for those committed to nursing as a career. Successful applicants to these programs are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. These direct-entry MSN programs begin with foundational nursing courses and prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Then, students complete two years of master’s level nursing coursework.

Many MSN programs offer a bridge option for RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). A bridge program allows students with some qualification in nursing to complete their next level of education as efficiently as possible. ADN-to-MSN programs are at least three years long and include specialty programs for advanced practice RNs (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners (NPs). Some APRN programs, such as those offering the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) specialty, require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and do not offer a bridge option.

MSN Program Length and Cost

MSN programs may be part-time or full-time, which can provide flexibility for students. Courses may be in-person or online, but most students attend in-person classes and/or clinicals at some point. A few MSN programs can be completed entirely online.

A master’s curriculum in nursing will greatly depend on the specialty track. For example, those completing an MSN in Healthcare Leadership can earn their degree in one year (full-time) to two years (part-time), and both options will require around 300 clinical hours. RNs completing an MSN focused on education will complete fewer than 200 clinical hours over one to two years with full-time or part-time enrollment, respectively.

A student completing an MSN in Nurse Anesthesia on their way to becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will be required to enroll full-time for two to three years. CRNA students will complete over 2000 clinical hours. Nurse practitioner (NP) students can enroll part-time or full-time to complete their program in two to four years. NP students will complete about 1000 clinical hours during school. To learn about all four advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) careers, click here.

Due to the variety of programs, the cost of earning an MSN spans a large range: from $30,000 to over $100,000. The cost ultimately depends on which MSN program and career path you decide to pursue and is influenced by factors like the length and location of the program.

MSN Earnings and Careers

Most nurses with their MSNs earn between $78,580 and $195,610 per year, depending on their specialty. MSN graduates who work as leaders, researchers, and educators reported generally lower salaries than the salaries reported by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay for all RNs is affected by their location, type of employer, and years of experience.

Nursing instructors reported an annual median pay of $78,500 and nurse researchers made about the same. Nurse managers reported a median salary of $104,830. Nurse informaticists with master’s degrees most often reported salaries between $75,000 and $201,000 or more.

APRNs reported a large range of annual incomes, depending on their specialty, geographical location, type of hospital or clinic, and years of experience. The following chart compares the median annual wage of the four types of APRNs in the U.S.

*This data is provided by ziprecuiter.com, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report data specific to clinical nurse specialists at this time.

Please note that some APRNs do not have an MSN but have a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) instead of or in addition to an MSN. Regardless of education level, CRNAs earn the most among advanced practice nurses. Beginning in 2025, new CRNAs will be required to have a DNP.

Completing a Master of Science in Nursing can create new career paths for RNs interested in pursuing more responsibility and income. RNs planning to become APRNs are eligible to take national certification exams after graduating from a BSN program. Passing a certification exam, such as the nurse practitioner certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), is required before practicing as an APRN. State licensure is also required: applicants must submit transcripts, pass a background check, and pay a fee.

RNs with their MSNs can be leaders, educators, and practitioners with a high degree of autonomy. An MSN can be a very valuable degree for nurses in many sectors of healthcare.