Careers with MSN Degree

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Are there any nursing jobs that require a Master's degree that do not include ARNP, CRNA, or nursing management? I have been a registered nurse for 6 years and currently have an MSN degree. When I was completing my Master's I had the option to choose between two possible career tracks: Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive. I chose the Nurse Executive program (which had an emphasis on management and leadership) and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I worked as an assistant director of nursing at a rehab facility and absolutely hated the long hours and continuously being on call. I just had a baby and am planning on staying home for a few years, but I am using this time to plan my next career move for when I do return to work. I need a job that has family-friendly hours, but one that also pays well since I have accrued several thousand dollars of student loans. Can somebody please give me some advice?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I can only speak for my organization. Roles that require MSN include positions in: Risk Management/Loss Prevention, Quality & Safety, Infection Control, Clinical Educator, Case management, Informatics, Performance Effectiveness, ... I am sure I'm missing quite a few. Of course, all our nurse leadership positions above 'charge' nurse require MSN, but you aren't interested in those. It's not unusual for MSNs to be in staff nurse positions either, particularly on specialty units.

But (you knew it was coming) an MSN is 'necessary but not sufficient' to obtain one of those jobs. Candidates also have to have expertise in that area. Some areas, such as Informatics & Education - require an MSN in that specific area, so anyone with a more generic MSN has to obtain additional hours in that specialty to be considered for those jobs.

Hope that helps. Give that baby a cuddle for us.

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