5 Reasons to Pursue an Advanced Degree in Nursing

5 Reasons Why You Should Pursue an Advanced Nursing Degree

• Greater Salary
• Become a Nursing Educator
• Ability to Specialize
• Leadership Positions
• Making Up a Shortfall

For several years now, jobs in the medical professions have offered some of the best and most plentiful career options around. Those drawn to nursing, particularly those who pursue an advanced degree in nursing, have their pick of some of the best jobs on the market. Here are five reasons why these job seekers find that holding an advanced degree in nursing is so beneficial.

1. Greater Salary

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, having a master’s degree can have a significant impact on your salary (if you work a non-humanities related job), between $14,000 and $27,000 on average. An advanced degree often leads to career advancement and with that career advancement often comes raises and bonuses to commiserate with education and experienced. However, sometimes just having the higher degree comes with a higher salary.

2. Become a Nursing Educator

The future of nursing rests heavily on the shoulders of nurses who can teach others the profession. People who want to become nursing educators need to pursue an advanced degree in nursing. A couple of possibilities exist: the Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.). These healthcare professionals work in colleges and universities, as well as in teaching hospitals, educating the next generation of nurses.

3. Ability to Specialize

Nurses who have a passion for specialities, like midwifery or nurse practitioner, must get additional training and education to specialize in these fields, according to Capella University. Aside from giving people a chance for career advancement, specialities like these also offer greater job satisfaction. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that nurse practitioners and midwives be paid the same amount of money that physicians in the same position get paid, according to Western Governors University.

4. Leadership Positions

For many leadership positions, an advanced degree is required. Nursing is no different. Nurses who pursue an advanced degree in nursing open up the possibility of earning higher positions in the workplace. Leadership in this case can mean getting positions as head nurse, but it can also mean landing positions in colleges and universities. Many people enjoy taking on leadership positions, not only for the money that comes with these positions, but also because it allows them to shape the direction of a facility or nursing education program.

5. Making Up a Shortfall

Many people have heard about the shortage of medical professionals. By the year 2030, the US will have over 100,000 physician jobs that can’t be filled because there aren’t enough physicians. Nurse.com points out that those who pursue an advanced degree in nursing and become nurse practitioners have the potential to pick up some of the slack here.

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Advancement possibilities in the nursing profession increase manifold for those who pursue an advanced degree in nursing. These job holders work as specialists, in management or teaching. Naturally, a nice salary comes with this degree as well, allowing many nurses to make almost or as much as doctors in some cases.