Why get an MSN?

[hpvarnad]

After graduating nursing school I plan on getting my BSN, I was just wondering why I should go on and get an MSN; what doors would an MSN open for me that a BSN wouldn't?

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

That depends entirely upon what you want to do. MSN is usually "overkill" for a floor nurse, but perhaps you're into teaching... the MSN gets you considered for those jobs. Remember, MSN is when you can really start to specialize academically.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

MSN you can do education like the above poster said or you can become a nurse practitioner.

HPRN

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Management positions, teaching positions in some schools, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist. It all depends on what you want to do and what you think is worth it. I work bedside with my MSN; however, that MSN will allow me to transition into an education role when I am no longer physically able to work bedside.

[RunBabyRN]

In addition to what the PPs have said, I have actually seen one hospital that requires MSN for floor nurses. In this market, they have that luxury. Really, unless you plan to go into education, there's not much need for it unless you're looking at advanced practice.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Indoor work, no heavy lifting.

[Nurse-Prestige]

The higher the degree, the better. MSN is great because you can specialize (CRNA, NP, etc.), and you would have a lot more opportunities.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The BSN is a generalist nursing degree, whereas the MSN is the specialist nursing degree. Hence, the entire point of earning an MSN degree is specialization.

The most common MSN specializations are nursing leadership, nursing education, and the advanced practice concentrations (CRNA, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and nurse midwife).

Other MSN specialties that are not as common include case management, nursing informatics, holistic nursing, infection control, utilization management, clinical nurse leader, and diabetes care.