10 Great Master’s Degrees for Nurses in 2025

Congratulations — the decision to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is an accomplishment in itself. You’ve succeeded in the rigors of nursing school and the field, yet you want to keep learning. Perhaps you’re only just starting nursing school, but you’re confident you’ll persevere long enough to get there. Either way, the abundance of choice in master’s degrees for nurses can help you find the right fit for your career.

On the other hand, parsing through all the options can be overwhelming. As the nursing profession has evolved, there are more advancement opportunities than ever for nurses interested in going back to school. Nursing master’s degrees are highly specialized and take varying amounts of time depending on the track. Most programs require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a few years of experience in a specialty, but some MSN degrees offer flexibility on these requirements.

Before sharing a list of the best MSN degrees for nurses, let’s briefly explore some reasons why pursuing one of the many master’s degrees for nurses is worthwhile. Then we’ll list different master’s degrees for nurses, their average salaries, and the types of MSN programs available.

Increased Focus on Passion and Autonomy

If your heart is set on a specialty, obtaining your MSN enables you to focus on what sparks your passion, which can make your work more meaningful. A master’s degree also widens your scope of practice, which allows you increased autonomy as a nurse.

Higher Wages and Huge Need

MSN-prepared nurses are well compensated for their extensive training and responsibilities. Plenty of these nursing specialties offer six-figure salaries. The employment outlook for people who obtain one of the many master’s degrees for nurses is projected to grow much faster than most other occupations.

10 of the Best MSN Degrees for Nurses

There are so many directions your career can take with a nursing degree. If you’re in the market for an MSN, check out these top 10 master’s degree options for nurses.

1. Nurse Educator

In a time where there’s a high demand for nurses, there’s unfortunately a lack of nurse educators. That means a great deal of students are turned away from nursing programs. Nurse educators are critical to the future of healthcare, yet programs have to turn away tens of thousands of qualified students due to staffing shortages.

With an MSN in nursing education, you’ll be equipped to teach in universities and community colleges, as well as in clinical environments. And with a projected job growth of 18%, you’ll be stepping into a role in high demand.

Nurse educator average salary: $87,090 per year

Check out the latest nurse educator jobs in your area.

2. Nursing Leadership

Nursing leadership specializes in the business and logistical sides of healthcare. Master’s degrees for nurses in leadership are ideal for those aiming to be nurse managers, administrators, directors, or even chief nursing officers. This role extends beyond places specializing in direct patient care. This specialty is impactful wherever a nursing perspective is required for quality improvement, budgeting, and adhering to regulatory standards.

Nurses with this degree can work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health organizations, and even corporate or government healthcare sectors. Demand for healthcare administrators and health service managers is expected to grow by 29% in the next several years.

Medical and health service manager average salary: $137,730 per year

Check out the latest nurse manager and supervisor jobs in your area.

3. Nursing Research

Research ensures that nursing adapts to the needs of nurses and their place in healthcare. Nurse researchers provide data on safe staff-to-patient ratios, technology, best practices, reasons for burnout, and anything else to do with the profession. This specialty drives the ability of facilities to make informed decisions regarding nurses and patients. This is one of the master’s degrees for nurses that impacts the entire industry.

Nursing research supports policy change, quality improvement, and innovation across the healthcare system. And the future is bright for nurses in this field — the demand for medical scientists and researchers is projected to grow by 11%. Learn more about how to become a research nurse.

Medical scientist average salary: $112,690 per year

Check out our nurse researcher job description to learn more about the role.

4. Nursing Informatics

This specialty is where technology and nursing unite. A nurse informaticist is heavily involved with the creation and improvement of electronic medical records. They also analyze data to improve patient care and the quality of work for healthcare professionals. Only nurses with master’s degrees can reach senior positions in this specialty.

As the importance of technology continues to grow in healthcare, so will the impact of nurses with their masters in informatics. BLS projects a 16% increase in demand for professionals in health information technology.

Health information technologist average salary: $73,410 per year

Check out our health informatics job description to learn more about the role.

5. Family Nurse Practitioner

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are advanced practice nurses who provide primary care across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults. If you enjoy building long-term relationships with patients and delivering holistic care, becoming an FNP could be the right path for you.

FNPs are trained to diagnose and manage a range of acute and chronic conditions, perform physical exams, prescribe medications, and order and interpret diagnostic tests. In many states, FNPs can practice independently.

Ambulatory care NP average salary: $144,240 per year

Check out the latest outpatient nurse practitioner jobs in your area.

6. Nurse Midwife

Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) specialize in women’s reproductive health, and they also take responsibility for low-risk women during the birthing process. There’s a lot of overlap between the job of nurse midwives and the job of OB/GYNs, but one significant difference is that nurse midwives incorporate more holistic approaches.

CNMs work with patients to minimize invasive procedures and the use of medicine. Unlike OB/GYNs, they do not perform C-sections or any other intervention requiring an operating room. Demand for this role is expanding, with 7% projected growth in the next several years.

Nurse midwife average salary: $128,110 per year

Check out the latest nurse midwife jobs in your area.

7. Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The demand for mental health services has been soaring since the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilities are increasingly dependent on psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) to meet this need. They are especially important in rural areas where access is particularly limited.

PMHNPs can prescribe medications, provide psychotherapy, and develop treatment plans for patients dealing with conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more. An MSN in mental health nursing is a great degree, especially if you have experience as a psychiatric nurse.

Residential mental health NP average salary: $141,000 per year

Check out the latest psychiatric mental health NP jobs in your area.

8. Clinical Nurse Specialist

If you’re passionate about improving patient outcomes, mentoring staff, and driving change at a systems level, becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) could be your ideal path. CNSs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who blend clinical expertise with leadership, education, and research.

Unlike nurse practitioners, who primarily focus on direct patient care, CNSs influence care by guiding nursing teams, shaping policies, and implementing evidence-based practices across entire units or facilities.

Clinical nurse specialist average salary: $128,490 per year

9. Public Health

Public health nurses address the collective issues of entire communities. They ensure their patients stay informed and provide access to preventative measures. Nurses with master’s degrees in public health can play an even greater role by becoming directors of health departments, community health programs, and more. These nurses have a profound impact on a multitude of lives.

Master’s degrees for nurses in public health focus on prevention, health education, and advocacy, often working with underserved communities to reduce population disparities. It’s a great next step if you’re an experienced community health or public health nurse.

Public health nurse average salary: about $73,000 per year

Check out our public health nurse job description template to learn more about the role.

10. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The aging population is increasing, and this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. That includes healthcare professionals entering retirement. The elderly consume the most healthcare costs and resources, yet the number of people qualified to care for them is decreasing. There is a big need for adult gerontology nurse practitioners in this specialty.

You can choose to specialize in primary care (AGPCNP) or acute care (AGACNP), depending on whether you want to focus on outpatient or hospital-based settings.

Nurse practitioner average salary: $132,000 per year

Check out the latest nurse practitioner jobs in your area.

Master’s Degrees for Nurses FAQ

Are master’s degrees for nurses worth it?

The answer depends on your goals. If you’re aiming for advanced clinical roles, higher earning potential, leadership positions, or more autonomy, an MSN can absolutely be worth the investment. However, if you’re content in a bedside RN role, or not ready to take on the time and financial commitment, it may not be the right move just yet.

How are MSN programs structured?

Like prelicensure nursing school, MSN programs typically have didactic and experiential components. Many programs are designed for working nurses, with schedule flexibility in mind. Some programs even offer nursing master’s degrees online, but remember that you’ll still likely need to complete an in-person clinical and/or internship program.

Depending on your educational background and goals, master’s degrees for nurses are offered in several different structures:

• A traditional MSN is the standard route, takes 2–3 years, and offers a range of specialty tracks.
• An accelerated MSN is a fast-track program for those who want to finish quickly, often in 12–18 months. They’re intense but ideal if you’re ready for a full-time school commitment.
• Direct-entry MSN programs are for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. They typically take 2–3 years and include RN licensure prep, plus graduate coursework.
• RN-to-MSN bridge programs are for ADN-prepared nurses who are ready to jump up to advanced practice roles without having to complete a BSN.
• Dual programs combine degrees. For example, a combined MSN-MPH program, or a combined MSN-Masters in Business Administration (MBA) are types of combined MSNs.

How can I pay for an MSN program?

Below are some options for students looking to finance master’s degrees for nurses:

• Scholarships and grants: Nursing organizations, schools, and federal programs offer great scholarships and grants for MSN students, especially those pursuing high-need specialties like nursing education or mental health.
• Employer tuition reimbursement: Check if your employer offers tuition assistance. Some hospitals cover partial or full tuition if you commit to working for them after graduation.
• Loan forgiveness: Programs like the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) can reduce or eliminate student debt in exchange for working in underserved areas or nonprofit settings.

Can you be a CRNA with a master’s degree?

Beginning in 2025, nurse anesthetists entering the profession need a minimum of a doctoral degree to practice. The degree options to enter this field include a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). Learn more about becoming a CRNA.

Start Advancing Your Nursing Career

Are you ready to pursue one of these master’s degrees for nurses? You can offset the cost by finding an employer that offers tuition reimbursement and paths for career advancement. Learn how IntelyCare can match you with the nursing jobs that fit your needs with our personalized job notifications.