MSN Careers

As a nursing professional, you’ve dedicated yourself to bettering society and making a difference in the lives of your patients every day. Now you’re ready to take on an even bigger role and broaden your impact.

An online Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing from Ohio University can prepare you to work more autonomously, specialize your practice, expand your scope of care, and become a mentor for future nurses.

We offer four concentrations, so you can customize your studies to match your desired career path:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The master’s degree program in nursing at Ohio University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Take Control Over Your Nursing Career

The COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it, and few felt its impact more than nurses and their fellow healthcare professionals. Facing great adversity, nurses have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care for their patients by finding innovative solutions to unprecedented challenges.

Today, that spirit of resiliency continues, as more and more nurses strive to create a better quality of life in their communities while empowering their own careers.

Earning an MSN can help you accomplish both goals. As a master’s degree-holding nurse, you’ll be able to work with greater autonomy, develop new skills, and deliver a more advanced level of care.

Moreover, this degree can qualify you for a wide range of new roles, increase your earning potential, and enhance your value in the workforce.

Continue reading to learn more about how an online MSN from OHIO can boost your career, as well as the many opportunities you can pursue after you earn your degree.

What Is the Job Outlook for MSN Degree Holders?

As more Americans require access to high-quality health care, the need for MSN-prepared nurses is soaring.  In a February 2022 article, The American Journal of Nursing reports, “The current demand for nurses who have master’s and doctoral degrees in advanced practice, clinical specialties, teaching, and research roles far outstrips the supply.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates employment of nurse practitioners will increase by 52% between 2020 and 2030, with nearly 115,000 new jobs added.

The BLS cites several reasons for the expected job growth. One is that as the baby-boom population ages, nurse practitioners will be needed to treat a larger number of patients with chronic and acute conditions.

In addition, as healthcare practices shift to team-based models, nurse practitioners will take on a greater role in providing preventive and primary care.

There is also huge demand for skilled nurse educators. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that while enrollment in BSN programs is on the rise, thousands of qualified applicants are being turned away due in large part to a shortage of faculty or clinical instructors.

Where Do MSN Degree Holders Work?

MSN-prepared nurses play a crucial role in keeping our healthcare system running smoothly. Their impact is felt nearly everywhere — from delivering advanced care to managing teams, conducting innovative research, and preparing the nurses of tomorrow.

When you earn your online master’s in nursing from OHIO, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a career in wide range of environments, including:

• Hospitals
• Urgent care clinics
• Hospices
• Private homes
• Primary care private practices
• Academic institutions
• Community clinics
• Home healthcare agencies
• Nursing care facilities
• Acute care and emergency settings
• Outpatient care centers
• Psychiatric and behavioral treatment clinics
• Residential treatment facilities
• Public health agencies
• Family practice or pediatric clinics

Career Options for Master of Science in Nursing Graduates

Whether your goal is to provide advanced primary care or acute care, specialize in an area such as treatment of mental health issues, or transition to an educator or managerial role, your MSN degree can open many doors.

Lifelong Career Support 

With so many opportunities available to you, choosing the right career track might feel overwhelming. That’s where we can help. When you earn your Master of Science in Nursing from OHIO, you become a Bobcat for life.

Whether it’s lifetime access to career coaching or networking opportunities with more than 250,000 fellow OHIO alumni, you can take comfort in knowing that we’ll be with you every step of the way as you strive to achieve your professional goals.