Nursing (MSN)

What is A Nursing (MSN) Degree?

Nurses treat the sick and injured.  In today’s world, using an evidence-based approach is widely accepted, with nurses being trained to use documented research results, best practices, and patient desires to decide on the best treatment strategies.  Nurses who would like to specialize in one of several areas in nursing choose to go into graduate nursing training to earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

Most MSN students already have the BSN degree, but some may have a degree in a different field.  Most universities have MSN programs for other-degreed candidates, an accelerated program which may take up to an additional year or so to make the transition to nursing and to complete the Master’s level study. Courses at the Master’s level in nursing will depend on which specialty area is chosen, specialties like Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).  It may also be possible to combine your MSN degree program with a Master’s degree in business administration, public health, or health administration to earn two Master’s degrees at the same time.