By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Bradly Roh, PhD, DBA and Interim Dean and Vice President for the School of Business, Technology and Health Care Administration; and Lisa Kreeger, PhD, RN, Executive Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Reading Time: 13 minutes
You’ve worked hard to earn your BSN, build clinical experience and care for patients with dedication and respect. Now, you may be ready to explore ways to increase your impact in health care and take the next step in your career.
You might aim to lead teams, teach future nurses, specialize in care coordination or shape the future of health care technology. Whichever path you choose, a flexible online program can help you reach those goals while maintaining your busy schedule.
Use our goal-oriented guide to master’s degrees in nursing and related programs to find a degree that matches your career goals, along with the potential job opportunities you can explore after graduation.
Or if you’re an RN looking to streamline your education, watch this short video to learn how an RN-to-MSN can help you pursue your nursing goals.
If you’re still on the fence about getting a master’s degree to help build your nursing career, here are five ways a graduate-level program can help you.
To take advantage of these benefits, you’ll want to pick a program that matches your career objectives.
Here’s a list of master’s degrees in nursing and related fields organized by career interest so you can quickly check which one might be right for your goals.
Nurse leaders help shape health care delivery by leading change, managing teams and influencing policy. They combine clinical expertise with management skills to ensure their organizations run effectively and deliver high-quality outcomes.
As a logical next step after a BSN, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree teaches students to combine the latest in nursing theory, research and evidence-based practice to help improve patient care.
If you want to work toward a career as a nursing leader, you can specialize in an MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration program. This degree strengthens your leadership and managerial skills so you can become a well-rounded nurse executive.
It equips nurses with the knowledge and best practices to effectively supervise operations and collaborate with doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff.
Capella University offers the MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration degree in the FlexPath learning format, making it easier for working nurses to learn online at their own pace.
What can you do with an MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration?
Potential job titles to explore after an MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration degree include:
These examples are meant to serve as a general guide, and leadership roles may require additional experience, credentials or organizational qualifications. Capella cannot guarantee that any graduate will secure a certain job title or career opportunity. Remember, you should always research requirements for your career goals.
If you’re a nurse interested in leadership in health care, but also want to learn broad business, management and administration skills, you could opt for health care-related master’s degrees that are not strictly focused on nursing. Here are two options:
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a multidisciplinary degree that teaches students administrative skills to oversee finances, accounting, marketing and the general management of an organization.
You can pursue an MBA in Health Care Management to broaden your understanding of business functions within the medical field. This program helps you develop strategic leadership and decision-making skills in the context of managing and growing health care organizations.
With Capella University’s FlexPath learning format, you can complete your online MBA in Health Care Management degree while still managing your work and life responsibilities.
What can you do with an MBA in Health Care Management?
Examples of job titles you can explore after an MBA in Health Care Management program include:
Again, these serve as a general guide and Capella cannot guarantee you’ll secure a specific role, and research the requirements for your career goals.
In the MHA program, students learn to be leaders within a health care organization. They develop skills that help them manage clinical and nonclinical staff, redesign systems to meet changing health care environments and deliver high-quality care for consumers and within their communities.
This degree blends knowledge and skills related to leadership, organizational strategy and health care operations skills, giving you a deep understanding of evidence-based change leadership. You learn how to improve organizational effectiveness and implement changes that benefit patient care and daily operations.
You can also complete the online MHA program using the FlexPath learning format at Capella University, which lets you set your own deadlines and progress when you’re ready.
What can you do with a Master of Health Administration?
Examples of job titles you can explore after an MHA degree include:
These job titles are examples only. The requirements for these roles may vary based on experience, licensure, certifications and employer expectations. As always, research the requirements for your career goals.
Nurse practitioners diagnose, treat and manage patient care, often with a high level of autonomy. These degrees prepare nurses for hands-on clinical practice in specialized patient populations.
If your goal is to become a clinical nurse who works directly with patients, consider these three master’s degree options:
The MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is designed for BSN-prepared nurses who want to provide continuous care for patients ages 13 and older.
You learn how to diagnose and treat illnesses, manage chronic conditions, support healthy lifestyles and provide comprehensive wellness care. This career path is great if you want to form long-term relationships with patients and support them from adolescence to older adulthood.
This program also prepares you to take national certification exams administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
It’s important to note that Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. Check the licensure requirements and regulations for your state before enrolling in a nursing program.
What can you do with an MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner?
Potential job titles to explore after an MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree include:
These roles are a general guide and may require specific experience or other education. Capella can’t guarantee that you’ll secure a specific job title. Research the requirements for your career goals.
The MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP) program is built to help nurses prepare to assume the role of advanced-practice nurse providing mental and emotional health care to individuals, families and groups across the lifespan. The program emphasizes ethical clinical judgment and compassionate, evidence-based care to promote mental wellness, prevent and manage psychiatric disorders and improve quality of life.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore topics like advanced diagnostic techniques, psychopharmacology and therapeutic interventions, all framed within ethical and person-centered care. Hands-on practicum hours help you apply what you’re learning under the guidance of experienced clinicians, making sure you’re ready for real-world situations.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with licensure requirements in your state before you enroll.
What can you do with an MSN-PMHNP?
Potential job titles to explore after a Family Nurse Practitioner program include:
These roles are a general guide and may require specific experience or other education. Be sure to research the requirements for your career goals. Remember that Capella can’t guarantee that you’ll secure a specific job title.
The MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner program trains nurses to provide primary care to individuals and families of all ages. You learn diagnostic, prescribing and health-promotion skills that support a wide range of patients across all stages of life.
Family nurse practitioners deliver versatile care to infants, children, adults and seniors. They take a holistic approach to health by adding the context of a patient’s family and community to their care.
Many people consider their family nurse practitioner as their primary care provider, as they develop long-term relationships with them.
Graduates from the MSN-FNP program are required to obtain a professional license to practice. Again, it’s essential to check the licensure requirements in your state before applying for programs. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement.
What can you do with an MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner?
Potential job titles to explore after a Family Nurse Practitioner program include:
These roles are a general guide and may require specific experience or other education. Capella can’t guarantee that you’ll secure a specific job title and be sure to research the requirements for your career goals.
Nurse educators shape the next generation of nurses by developing education programs, teaching evidence-based practice and supporting clinical training. They can work in academic or health care settings.
If you want to educate future nurses and guide their growth, then consider an MSN in Nursing Education degree.
The MSN in Nursing Education program expands your expertise in curriculum development, instructional design, assessment methods and clinical education. You learn how to create effective learning experiences for students and practicing clinicians.
This degree is designed for experienced nurses who want to transition into teaching faculty roles. It’s great for nurses who enjoy mentoring others and guiding them to become effective care providers in the future.
Take control of your learning pace and progress by using the FlexPath learning format to complete this online program at Capella University.
What can you do with an MSN in Nursing Education?
Potential job titles to explore after an MSN in Nursing Education degree include:
Teaching and academic positions may require prior clinical experience, certifications or additional qualifications, and Capella can’t guarantee specific job titles. You must research the requirements for your career goals.
Technology is integrated into every aspect of health care. Nurses who are passionate about the latest digital tools can leverage a master’s degree to help organizations implement systems that improve communication, patient care, workflow and clinical decision-making.
The MSN in Nursing Informatics degree teaches you how to bridge the gap between health care and technology to help improve patient outcomes and optimize processes.
A nurse informaticist can assess patient and organizational needs, analyze and manage patient data and train medical staff. These skills create efficient workflows and enhance communication across care teams.
Working nurses can get their MSN in Nursing Informatics degree online through the FlexPath learning format at Capella. This format is designed for busy adults who want to learn and pursue their professional goals at the same time.
What can you do with an MSN in Nursing Informatics?
Potential job titles to explore after an MSN in Nursing Informatics degree include:
These positions may require technical experience, certifications or employer-specific requirements in addition to a degree. Capella cannot guarantee any specific job title. You must research the requirements for your career goals.
Nurses who want to impact health care by providing culturally competent support for patients can pursue a master’s degree that combines their nursing expertise with interprofessional collaboration skills.
Care coordinators help ensure patients receive the proper care at the right time. The MSN in Care Coordination degree prepares nurses to provide personalized patient care support. You learn how to coordinate different medical teams and resources to optimize care delivery and improve patient and population outcomes.
You also gain skills to effectively explain care plans to patients and advocate for them as they navigate their treatment.
Get the education you need to potentially move into care coordination while managing your busy life, with the FlexPath learning format at Capella.
What can you do with an MSN in Care Coordination degree?
Potential job titles to explore after an MSN in Care Coordination degree include:
Care coordination and community roles may vary by health care setting and often depend on prior experience and organizational needs. These roles are a general guide and may require specific experience or other education. Capella can’t guarantee that you’ll secure a specific job title. You must research the requirements for your career goals.
Nurses that want to impact health care at the community or population level can enroll in a master’s program focused on public health.
A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree focuses on the skills you need to address critical public health issues, including preventing disease outbreaks, being prepared for emergency response and environmental hazard mitigation.
In this program, you learn collaborative leadership across disciplines to develop solutions to public health issues and create healthy communities and environments. You gain the knowledge to establish strategies for disease prevention and health care access for everyone.
You develop skills to work with people of different backgrounds and cultures, educate them on health and wellness and build awareness to optimize health outcomes.
What can you do with an MPH degree?
Potential job titles to explore after a Master of Public Health degree include:
These public health positions are meant to serve as a general guide and may require regulatory approvals, additional credentials or experience. Capella cannot guarantee any specific job title. You must research the requirements for your career goals.
A master’s degree in nursing positions you as an expert in your specialty and field.
Whether you want to become a nurse practitioner, an educator or an administrator, the right master’s in nursing equips you with the credentials you need to start on your chosen path.
If you’re ready to move closer to your professional goals without overhauling your life, enroll in an online master’s program in nursing and health care at Capella University. Many of our master’s degrees in nursing are available in the FlexPath learning format, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
Capella’s competency-based courses are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and prepare you for real-life application.
Explore online nursing degrees from Capella today.
With an MSN, you may qualify for specialized roles such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse administrator, clinical nurse leader, nurse informaticist, care coordinator or public health nurse.
A master’s degree in nursing can teach you in-depth expertise and skills. It may be required for leadership, advanced practice and specialized roles, many of which offer greater autonomy and varied career pathways.
Besides direct patient care, nurses can transition into roles in informatics, IT, education, leadership, public health, administration, care coordination and community program management.
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