For those nurses who want to pursue careers in Nursing Leadership, a Master of Science in Nursing will provide the skills and knowledge required to pursue careers as nurse administrators, in health policy, as nurse leaders, or as a clinical nurse leader. The MSN also provides a stepping stone to pursue a doctoral level education and may focus on one or more of many different specialties including acute care, adult and family practices, pediatric, psychiatric neonatology, palliative care and obstetrics.
What Can I Do With a Master of Science in Nursing?
The healthcare industry will continue to demand more qualified nurse professionals to fill position in both clinical nursing and administration. With the aging population and as more practitioners retire, the need to hire new graduates will rise exponentially. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that healthcare careers will continue its rapid growth, up to 3.2 million jobs in healthcare between 2006 and 2016. Nurses with a specific interest in management and technology can choose to specialize their studies more on administrative aspects of healthcare. Nurses now perform active roles in maintaining and improving patient record keeping as well as department communications. There are many new positions in the field that offer exciting managerial opportunities with tremendous growth potential.
What Are the Best Master of Science in Nursing Degree Programs?
According to the US News and World Report list of Best Master of Science in Nursing Degree Programs, the following universities and colleges are top in the field:
- # 1 – University of Pennsylvania – Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- # Tied for 2 – John Hopkins – Located in Baltimore, Maryland
- # Tied for 2 – University of California – Located in San Francisco, California
- # 4 –University of Washington– Located in Seattle, Washington
- # 5 – University of Pittsburgh – Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- # Tied for 6– Duke University – Durham, North Carolina
- # Tied for 6 – New York University – Located in New York, New York
- # Tied for 6 – University of Maryland – Located in Baltimore, Maryland
- # Tied for 6–University of Michigan – Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- # 10– University of Washington – Located in Seattle, Washington
- # Tied for 10– Emory University – Located in Atlanta, Georgia
You can check out this website for information on other top schools for a Master of Science in Nursing:
US News and World Report List of Best Nursing Programs
How Much Will A Graduate Degree in Healthcare Management/Administration Cost?
The overall cost of a graduate degree in Nursing varies according to the following elements:
- The particular school that you choose
- The area of specialization you may be looking for what part of the country your school is located
- The level of degree you choose to pursue
The cost for earning a Master of Science in Nursing can cost anywhere between $19,980 – $36,192 per year for in-state tuition and fees or $29,020 – $42,020 for out-of-state tuition and fees. This cost represents tuition and fees only for a two-year graduate program, which is the most common.