Online RN-BSN-MSN: Career Outlook
Explore your potential and reach the next level of nursing.
Qualify for more opportunities faster with the RN to Bachelor to Master of Science of Nursing (RN–BSN-MSN). In just 3.5 years, you can earn both your baccalaureate and graduate degrees in nursing and prepare for a wide variety of advanced positions.
- 6% growth (Faster than national average) for Advanced Practice Nursing positions from 2021 to 20312
- SHU grads employed by Bridgeport Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and more in 2017
- $98,000 average salary for an MSN-prepared nurse3 vs. $73,000 for an ADN-prepared nurse4
You’ll also tailor your education to your career goals with an in-demand MSN specialization1 in Nursing Education, Nursing Management & Executive Leadership, or Clinical Nurse Leader, a certification created by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern health care.
Much of the demand for better-educated nurses is driven by hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition, the gold standard for health care excellence that prioritizes BSN-educated nurses. With both degrees, you’ll stand out to these ambitious, high-quality hospitals.
Whether you want to deepen your commitment to bedside care, or build new skills in administration, education, or cross-disciplinary leadership, our online RN-BSN-MSN program helps you build a longer-lasting, more fulfilling and rewarding career.
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL):
$94,924/YEAR
As a Clinical Nurse Leader, you would take the lead in collaborative patient care, working alongside social workers, pharmacists, physicians and more. You’d help patients advocate for their needs and educate them about their diagnoses and treatment plans. This role requires CNL certification.5
Prepare for this position with the MSN – Clinical Nurse Leader specialization.
Nursing Educator:
$104,662/YEAR
As a nursing educator, you might teach in a college or university classroom, as well as a hospital or other health services environment. You’d mentor and advise your students and pass on your hard-won nursing expertise through curricula you design.6
Prepare for this position with the MSN – Nursing Education specialization.
Chief Nursing Officer:
$139,996/YEAR
As your hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer (also known as a CNO), you would manage staff levels, create both hospital and departmental budgets, and maintain a positive and professional connection between your nursing staff, physicians and other practitioners.7
Prepare for this position with the MSN – Nursing Management & Executive Leadership specialization.
Nurse Case Manager:
$75,776/YEAR
As a nurse case manager, you’d oversee the health care needs of individual patients, from the moment they’re admitted, to discharge and beyond. You’d take the lead in creating treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs, including medication, nutrition and rehabilitation.8
Prepare for this position with the BSN portion of this degree, as well as the MSN – Clinical Nurse Leader specialization.
Additional roles for RN-BSN-MSN graduates:
- Clinical Director
- Clinical Informatics Systems Analyst
- Clinical Nurse Educator
- Clinical Research Nurse
- Director of Nursing
- Director of Nursing Education
- Director of Patient Care Services
- Health and Social Services Manager
- Mental Health Program Manager
- Nurse Manager
- Nutrition Services Manager
- Patient Care Manager
- Patient Nurse Navigator
- Pharmaceutical Nurse Educator
- Practice Administrator RN
- Quality Assurance Coordinator
Request More Information
Fill out the form below and a skilled and knowledgeable Admissions Representative will get in touch to answer your questions and help with the application process.
Career-Ready Specializations
As part of the online RN-BSN-MSN program, you will choose from three Master of Science in Nursing specializations. Deepen your expertise in nursing education, nursing management or the Clinical Nurse Leader position to build a career that suits you.
Guidance Beyond Graduation
More than 98 percent of Sacred Heart alumni are employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within a year of graduation.
Our Center for Career & Professional Development provides support to help you find your next opportunity and continue to grow outside of class.
Sources:
- Nurse Journal (n.d.). The 20 Best Nursing Career Specialties. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://nursejournal.org/community/20-best-nursing-career-specialties-for-the-future/.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019 September 4). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/health care/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.
- Payscale (2019 September 25). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Salary. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Science_in_Nursing_(MSN)/Salary.
- Payscale (2019 September 25). Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Salary. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Salary.
- Payscale (2019 September 13). Average Clinical Nurse Leader Salary. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Nurse_Leader/Salary.
- Payscale (2019 September 18). Average Nurse Educator Salary. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Educator/Salary.
- Payscale (2019 September 18). Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Nursing_Officer_(CNO)/Salary.
- Payscale (2019 September 18). Average Nurse Case Manager Salary. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Case_Manager/Salary.