Written by Morganne Skinner
This article was reviewed by Raelene Brooks, Dean, College of Nursing.
Are you curious about nursing careers beyond the hospital and bedside care? Despite what you may have heard, you’re not limited to bedside care as an RN. If you’re ready to explore alternatives, an advanced nursing degree may be a good next step.
Having an advanced degree can prepare you with skills for a variety of specialized nursing roles, from leadership and administration to research and education. Whether you’re aiming to influence policy, teach the next generation of nurses or take on a more autonomous role as an RN, you may find an advanced nursing degree makes sense. Here’s what you need to know.
Advanced degrees for nurses can prepare nurses for careers beyond direct patient care in hospitals or clinics.
When armed with specific skills and education, and if applicable, additional certification, nurses can work, for example, as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, nurse administrators or nurse educators. Specializing in an area of nursing that you’re passionate about can lead to improved job satisfaction and potentially build greater confidence and expertise. (You might also find these roles more attractive if you prefer to work a traditional 9-to-5 schedule rather than a 12-hour hospital shift.)
Career opportunities for RNs with advanced practice nursing qualifications can also offer autonomy and higher salaries. For example, as of May 2023, registered nurses earned between $63,720 and $132,680 a year, with a median salary of $86,070, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For comparison, BLS reports that nurse practitioners earned between $95,530 and $211,820, with a median salary of $129,480.
One other reason for moving beyond beside care? Stress. No role can guarantee stress-free work, but the average nursing staff turnover rate is 18.4%, with telemetry, step-down and emergency nursing experiencing the highest turnover. That could suggest that many nurses are seeking a better balance in other roles, such as administration and informatics. Of course, to do this, many need to pursue additional education.
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
The degree levels for an RN proceed like this: nursing diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each level is a step forward in education and specialization, preparing nurses with skills for new roles and responsibilities in the nursing profession. All degrees after the bachelor’s level are considered advanced nursing degrees.
If you wish to pursue further education after your BSN, you may consider an MSN, which can prepare you with skills for roles such as becoming a nurse practitioner. The MSN coursework focuses on research, advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology, prescribing, dispensing medications, advanced pathophysiology leading to diagnosis, and other specialized clinical skills.
Some concentrations in an MSN program track are:
The DNP is a terminal degree in nursing, meaning it is the most advanced nursing degree available. An online program is ideal for working nurses who want to be experts in their field, expand their leadership skills and drive improvements in patient care, policy and healthcare systems.
Take care when choosing a university for your degree. Be sure to get details about the school and its programs. Top considerations to research:
As mentioned, furthering your nursing education prepares you with skills for a range of career opportunities, from leadership roles to nursing informatics An advanced nursing degree also allows you to specialize in a particular field or expand your skill set. For instance, you could become a nurse practitioner and work in an addiction center, focusing on behavioral and mental health. Some notable advanced practice nursing roles include:
With an MSN, you could work as a nurse manager or nursing director. Nurses with a DNP can work as a nursing professor at a university, become a health, practice or program manager, and more.
Earning an online nursing degree offers flexibility, allowing you to balance your studies with work and other life commitments without the hassle of a commute or set class times.* You can complete coursework on your own schedule (but within provided timelines), making it ideal for busy nursing professionals. Online students may also benefit from dedicated support, such as academic counselors, who are there for them every step of the way.
Some online programs require select in-person courses, but the majority of the work can be completed online otherwise.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing journey, start by exploring your educational options. Find an accredited program that meets your criteria at University of Phoenix, which offers a variety of advanced nursing degree programs, including:
*UOPX nursing students in the Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner and Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs are required to complete an in-person, five-day residency in Phoenix.
Ask for more information about these programs today.
Morganne Skinner, BSN, RN, is a fertility educator and writer. She began nursing in the surgical-trauma intensive care unit and earned a critical care nursing certification. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Liberty University in Virginia. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Zambia for two years, fueling her passion for women’s and public health. After returning to the U.S., she worked in rehabilitation, public health, and fertility. Morganne excels in health education through her writing and fertility work, contributing to fertility and textbook companies and nursing websites, and creating practice questions for the NCLEX.
Dr. Raelene Brooks, dean of the College of Nursing, has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and practiced extensively in the areas of ICU, trauma and critical care. Her publications include a focus on nursing education, critical care and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a leader in creating, guiding and launching innovative curriculum.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
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