RN vs. BSN vs. MSN: What Degree Makes Sense for You?

The demand for nurses is growing every year, with millions of job opportunities predicted over the next decade.¹ You can capitalize on this demand by pursuing additional nursing education and certifications. This is an ideal time to enroll in an online program to earn your Registered Nurse (RN) license, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

Choosing whether to pursue an RN, BSN, or MSN is a big decision. Selecting the right program depends on the stage of your career, your professional goals, and practical considerations, such as how much time you’re willing to spend in school. You should select a degree program that equips you with advanced knowledge and practical skills, expands access to professional opportunities, and advances your career.

This post compares the RN, BSN, and MSN education tracts and explores online opportunities that can help you take your nursing career to the next level.

Registered Nurse

RNs are needed in every service line of health care. The training to become an RN is the foundational training for everyone in a professional nursing career.

RN Training

You can enter an RN program even if you don’t have prior training as a nurse. It’s not uncommon for students to have a bachelor’s degree and work experience in another field before entering an RN program as a career change.

During RN training, you’ll take core courses, such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, statistics, psychology, and chemistry, as well as classes that focus on nursing skills, such as pharmacology, behavioral health, and foundations in nursing.

If you are new to the nursing field, you’ll also have to perform several state-mandated clinical hours before you can be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which is required for an ADN graduate to become a licensed nurse.¹

RN Employment

RNs receive competitive pay, earning on average $35.39 per hour, which translates to about $73,600 annually.²

RNs are needed in every health care setting, including the following:

• Emergency rooms
• Long-term care facilities
• Nursing homes and assisted living communities
• Physician offices
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital departments

RNs are responsible for performing intake, brief physical examinations and diagnostics, observing and working with patients, collecting patient data, and administering medication or other treatments.³

RNs often work in places that require around-the-clock coverage, so they usually work twelve-hour shifts, three days a week. They could also have on-call shifts where they have to work on short notice in an emergency or in a coworker's absence.⁴

There is always a need for RNs, so it’s a steady career with good pay and benefits. As you gain experience, you may be able to shift into a specialty that interests you.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A BSN is a college degree with a specialty in nursing. It's considered a higher qualification than having an RN certification alone.

BSN Training

You can begin a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program as an RN, or it can be your entry into the nursing field. You may also earn a BSN in addition to an RN if you enter an RN-BSN program. BSN programs typically take two to four years, but RN-BSN programs can be completed in as few as twelve months.⁵

BSN curricula typically include both core nursing courses and electives in the sciences and humanities. BSN nursing courses include theory and field study courses on topics like community health, nurse leadership, and research in nursing. Generally, every BSN program will also include a health assessment course, which focuses on key nursing skills for assessing clients' health status.

BSN Employment

BSN jobs are similar to RN jobs and are available throughout all levels of health systems and service lines. Nurses with a BSN may have more opportunities to work in specialized care, such as pediatrics or surgical nursing. In addition, with a BSN, you can expect an average salary of $102,263 annually.⁶

Other careers for BSN nurses include the following:

• Health coach
• Consultant
• Travel nurse
• Flight nursing
• Perioperative nursing

Master of Science in Nursing

An MSN is a postgraduate degree. It's often a requirement for highly specialized nursing roles, such as nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, or nurse educator.⁷

MSN Training

An MSN is a highly respected credential that can significantly enhance your resume and career prospects. There are several pathways to earning an MSN:

• RN to MSN: Designed for registered nurses, this slightly accelerated program allows you to advance directly from an RN license to an MSN
• BSN to MSN: Ideal for those who already hold a BSN and want to build on that foundation
• Direct Entry MSN: For individuals with a bachelor’s or graduate degree in another field, these programs provide a path into nursing at the master’s level

The length of time it takes to complete an MSN will vary depending on your current degree and the format of your program.

MSN curricula include specialization pathways, such as education or leadership, plus core courses on nursing leadership theory, research integration into nursing practice, continued development of nursing practice, and administration. The end of the program also typically includes a practicum and master’s project.

Specialization pathways allow nurses to delve into their interests. A nurse in an education specialization might learn about curriculum building, teaching strategies, simulation lab education, and course assessment. A nurse with a leadership specialization could study management theories, finance, health care systems, and quality improvement.

MSN Employment

Earning an MSN may lead to opportunities in leadership and management roles in health care. These positions come with higher pay and greater levels of responsibility. The average salary for an MSN is $120,870 annually.⁸ In addition, these are often jobs with regular hours instead of shift work and variable schedules. This can be very appealing for nursing professionals who want a more predictable schedule.

Jobs for MSN-prepared nurses include the following:

• Staff development nurse
• Public health advisor
• Chief nursing officer
• Nurse manager
• Clinical nurse specialist
• Risk and safety manager
• Medical director

Comparing RN vs. BSN vs. MSN

All three nursing degrees confer an increased understanding of the central topics in nursing, as well as a finer grasp of health care as an industry.

An RN certification is comparable to an associate's degree. It typically takes two years to complete. The total cost of the program will range from $23,900 to $66,320.⁹

A BSN is a bachelor's degree. These programs are typically four years long. Tuition can vary widely, but you can expect to spend a total of $89,556 to $211,392.⁹

An MSN is a graduate-level degree, and you will need a bachelor's degree to qualify for admission. MSN programs are typically two years, with tuition costs ranging from $28,060 to $78,820.⁹

Career Trajectories and Specializations

In any field, the more education you pursue, the more expertise you gain, and nursing is no exception. When you consider an RN or a BSN, it’s important to remember that while an RN program will give you essential nursing training, a BSN program will give you a more thorough understanding of care delivery and health care management.

A BSN increases your hireability, as well. In a 2020 survey, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that 41.1% of hospitals and other health care settings require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while 82.4% of employers express a strong preference for BSN program graduates.¹⁰

If you’re deciding between a BSN or an MSN, consider whether you want a program that will allow you to learn more about management and leadership for medical facilities and health care systems. MSN programs offer leadership training as well as pathways for additional clinical specialization.

Nurses with an MSN are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nursing roles requiring a postgraduate degree, like nurse educators, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, will grow by 40% by 2033, making them some of the fastest-growing jobs in any industry.¹¹

Job Market and Industry Demand

The field of nursing offers many opportunities, and there has never been a better time to join the practice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts more than 3.3 million jobs for RNs by 2033, in large part due to the number of retiring nurses and an increasing demand for caregivers for our aging population.¹

The market for highly specialized nurses with postgraduate training is also on the rise. Job openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected to grow by about 40%, with about 141,000 openings per year.¹²

Nurses with an MSN and clinical experience can explore roles in medical health services management, another one of the fastest-growing sectors. The demand for qualified professionals in those jobs is expected to rise by almost 30% by 2033.¹²

Decision Factors

There is no one-size-fits-all career path for nurses. The nursing field has a broad range of specialties that require different competencies. Choosing a degree program that’s right for you will depend on what you want to do within health care and nursing.

There are a number of factors to consider as you plan the next phases of your nursing career:

• What training do you already have, and what is the next logical step?
• Do you want to work in specialized care, such as gerontology, pediatrics, sports medicine, or surgical nursing?
• Do you want schedule flexibility or predictable hours?
• Do you want to supervise other nursing staff?
• What are your salary goals?

Once you have a clear idea about what you want to achieve in your career, you can explore degree programs that will help you reach your goals.

Advance Your Nursing Career

Picking the right degree program will help you advance your career as a nurse. While RNs with all levels of training are in demand, nurses with a BSN degree or MSN degree have more job opportunities and can expect higher salaries.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career, Oklahoma City University’s online nursing program will help you achieve advanced opportunities, higher salaries, and better outcomes for your patients. The 100% online RN-BSN program can help you meet your career goals. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more.