How online studying can help you take the next step in your nursing career

Posted On August 13, 2022August 16, 2022

If you are already a registered nurse (RN) and enjoy working in this field but are ready to take the next step in your career, completing an online degree to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) could be the perfect solution.

An online RN MSN will give you the skills you need to become a nurse practitioner. Obtaining an MSN degree at a leading institution like Wilkes University is one of the best career paths for RNs as you will be able to use the skills you learn studying online to secure higher-level, more specialized roles in the healthcare industry and other relevant fields.

The beauty of online learning is the flexibility it affords to students. You will be able to continue with your current role as an RN while completing a course. This is hugely helpful to workers who need to earn a salary but also want to advance their careers and look for more rewarding and fulfilling roles.

It could help you increase your salary

Earning a degree online could also give your pay rate a nice boost. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of NP jobs to jump by 52% by the end of this decade, with average salaries surging to $111,680. With the growing demand for NPs, online learning could put you in a position to secure a broader range of well-paid roles.

Online programs prepare you for these roles by implementing a full curriculum that facilitates the transition from being an RN to taking on more advanced roles. You will learn how to become more independent; apply critical thinking; conduct research, reasoning and diagnosis; and acquire the skills that will help you to become a leader and expert in healthcare systems and culturally diverse care.

You can align your education with specialties

An MSN degree can often be tailored to your specific career objectives. Many leading universities will allow you to align your education with specific MSN concentrations, such as becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). You will also learn soft skills such as collaboration and communication, which will help you reach these career goals.

The advantages of online learning outside of high-quality education are plentiful. You will be able to study at your own pace at home in a peaceful environment that is far away from the stresses and challenges of day-to-day work. You may have reached a point in your career where you don’t want to be spending time commuting to a campus at a university, especially if you already have a busy home and work life.

The curriculum for an online MSN is just as rigorous as in-person study, but you will be able to work on assignments and projects and participate online at whatever time that is most convenient for you rather than having a strict timetable forced on you. For those who are seeking a better balance between work and education, this is an ideal solution. In addition, online courses are often more affordable and accessible. If you want to take your career to the next level, there has never been a better time to complete an RN to MSN degree.