The door is open for many exciting career opportunities within nursing. Advanced nursing degrees prepare licensed nurses for expanded roles in clinical practice, leadership and more. Explore two primary advanced nursing degrees and specializations offered within some degree programs.
Why Get an Advanced Nursing Degree?
The demand for nurses with advanced nursing degrees creates exciting opportunities for nurses with graduate-level education.
In 2011, the Institute of Medicine released the landmark report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” calling for doubling the number of U.S. nurses who have doctoral degrees by 2020.1 The report, which is still influential today, argues that higher levels of nursing education lead to improved patient care. 2020 has come and gone, and the nursing workforce falls far short of these recommendations. Given this shortage of doctorally-qualified candidates, obtaining an advanced nursing degree can make you more competitive and better positioned in the job market.
Career Outlook
For nurse practitioners, advanced practice RNs with graduate-level nursing education, employment is projected to grow 40% between 2023 and 2033, with an estimated 31,900 openings projected each year during that period.2 The demand for nurse practitioners is projected to increase due to a heightened emphasis on preventive care, growing rates of chronic health conditions and increased life expectancies.
Although graduate school can be challenging, an advanced nursing degree can help propel your career forward and offer personally and financially rewarding opportunities.
How much can you expect to earn by earning advanced degrees in nursing? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $129,480 in 2023.2
Two Types of Advanced Nursing Degrees: MSN & DNP
Earn an advanced nursing degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), through an accredited institution like the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS). There is a lot you can pursue with an MSN or DNP, including working in clinical, educational, leadership and executive roles.
Through these advanced degrees for nurses, you can also choose to specialize in a particular area. Nursing specialties such as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), nurse executive and family nurse practitioner (FNP) prepare you for a vital role in the future of healthcare.
At USAHS, we’re committed to interprofessional education within our graduate health sciences programs. Our advanced nursing programs are an exceptional choice for continuing your education and advancing your career.
Should I Earn a DNP or PhD as My Advanced Nursing Degree?
As you plot your future in nursing, you might wonder whether to pursue a DNP or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing. There are important distinctions between the advanced nursing degrees to consider when you chart your academic and professional career.
In a nursing PhD program, you will complete a dissertation that adds new knowledge to the nursing field. You will learn about unique nursing research methodologies and leverage one to conduct your own study.
In a DNP program like the one at USAHS, you’ll create an application that improves patient outcomes based on available research.
Online, Interprofessional Advanced Nursing Programs
USAHS’ online MSN and DNP programs have a strong interprofessional focus. Students in pursuit of advanced nursing degrees learn how to engage with other roles and professions because the profession does not exist in a vacuum.
We communicate and collaborate with healthcare providers, including doctors, physical and occupational therapists and health administrators. When we work as a team, we have the best patient outcomes.
At USAHS, graduate nursing students are equipped for academic and professional success. Whether you choose to specialize and become a Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator,* Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)* or Nurse Executive, your advanced nursing degree will prepare you for the field.
16 Nursing Specialties to Pursue with an Advanced Nursing Degree
Below are examples of nursing specialties you can pursue with an advanced nursing degree.
1. Nurse Educator
Nurse educators* educate students, practicing nurses and other healthcare providers about patient care and best practices.
2. Nurse Executive
Nurse executives take on leadership roles in nursing and help to coordinate patient care delivery and build relationships among staff. In this role, nurse executives advance the nursing profession while managing financial and economic operations at their workplace. Advanced RN degrees prepare future executives to become critical thinkers who lead teams and promote the mission and vision of their organization.
3. Nurse Informaticist
Nurse informaticists oversee healthcare technology systems, including electronic health records and business analytics software. They use technology to assist patients, providers and organizations.
4. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Family nurse practitioners work with people of all ages to treat acute and chronic illnesses and promote preventative care. Advanced nursing degrees open up diverse responsibilities for FNPs. This includes performing physical exams, administering immunizations, prescribing medications and providing family planning services.
5. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with patients who suffer from mental health conditions, such as depression and bipolar disorder.
6. Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients and monitor their vital signs during procedures. They are also responsible for overseeing patient recovery.
7. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
A Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) can become certified in various clinical specialties. They are distinct from nurse practitioners in that, in addition to focusing on clinical practice, they also take on roles related to education, research and consulting. With advanced nurse degrees, CNSs mentor and advocate for nurses and patients.
8. Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) coordinate direct care activities, alter care plans if necessary and evaluate patient outcomes. This relatively new advanced nursing role was created by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).3 To become a CNL, candidates must earn a master’s degree that meets the AACN’s requirements.
9. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurse practitioners specialize in children’s health conditions. They provide children and their family members with the tools to remain healthy.
10. Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses keep communities safe through policy reform and community building. They focus on preventing disease, reducing the health risks of the populations they serve and ensuring that underserved and at-risk individuals have access to care.
11. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (ONP)
Orthopedic nurse practitioners treat patients with joint, bone and muscle problems. They work with physicians and other healthcare providers to develop patient care and discharge plans.
12. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
Adult gerontology nurse practitioners* work with elderly patients suffering from acute and chronic illnesses. During the pursuit of an advanced degree in nursing, these specialists often learn to administer memory care to patients and are skilled in end-of-life measures.
13. Health Policy Nurse
Health policy nurses analyze healthcare laws and regulations, advocate for positive change and promote healthcare reform. Health policy nurses with advanced nursing degrees may find positions in healthcare, nonprofit and government organizations.
14. Dialysis Nurse
Dialysis nurses administer dialysis and medication to patients with kidney disease. They also educate patients and maintain patient records.
15. Dermatology Nurse
Dermatology nurses conduct skin exams and diagnose and treat various skin injuries and conditions, such as melanoma, burns, acne and warts. Advanced nursing degrees can train them in administering cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels and laser treatments. Dermatology nurses teach patients about proper skin care to prevent damage.
16. Nurse Midwife
Nurse midwives focus on women’s reproductive health and childbirth. They assist patients with delivery, provide postpartum care, perform gynecological exams, educate patients on infant care and more.
Advanced nursing degrees pave the way for nursing roles in clinical care, education and leadership. If you’re interested in earning an advanced nursing degree, check out the graduate programs offered at USAHS.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates designed for working nurses. Our degrees are offered online, with optional on-campus immersions.** Role specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Educator,*** PMHNP and Nurse Executive. The MSN has several options to accelerate your time to degree completion. Complete coursework when and where you want—and earn your advanced nursing degree while keeping your work and life in balance.
*Call for availability.
**The FNP role specialty includes one required hands-on clinical intensive as part of the curriculum.
***The Nurse Educator role specialty is not available for the DNP program.
Sources
- Institute of Medicine, “The Future of Nursing,” Institute of Medicine, 2011, https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12956/the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Summary,” BLS, April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” AACN, 2024, https://www.aacnnursing.org/.
