Online Master of Science in Nursing: Your Career

Median Salary: $129,572

The Administration and Leadership track of the MSN program can prepare you for a career as a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). CNOs are responsible for ensuring that patients receive adequate and appropriate care. They also work with other members of a hospital’s leadership team to design patient care strategies that are innovative and effective. CNOs are also primarily responsible for making sure that hospitals are appropriately staffed during every shift. They serve as liaisons between hospital management and the nursing staff. Source.

Median Salary: $88,801

Your Online MSN can prepare you for the role of Director of Nursing. If you are considering the Administration and Leadership track and find yourself drawn to an operational role, being a Director of Nursing might be in your future.  Directors of Nursing are often responsible for training other nurses, making the job ideal for RNs who hope to move beyond patient care and into an education or administrative position. The position also requires a thorough understanding of current healthcare laws, so it’s important to have a strong knowledge of current policy. Source.

Median Salary: $76,446

Nurse Educators provide clinical training for nursing students and/or staff RNs, ensuring that they learn and stay current on standards of practice, procedures and protocols, patient care expectations, health policy, and medical research. The Education track of the MSN program prepares graduates to serve as a nurse educator in an academic or clinical setting, broadening the possibilities for employment as a clinical faculty member, public health nurse, director of nursing professional development, or even dean of nursing at a college or university.  Source.