5 Careers for a Master’s in Nursing Graduate

Master's in Nursing Careers

• Certified Nurse Midwife
• Critical Care Nurse
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Anesthetist

A Master's in Nursing (MSN) is a great way to enhance ones nursing career with more leadership opportunities and specialization in certain fields of medicine. The average rate of job growth and pay for MSN's is expected to be 26% by 2022, with an average salary of $86,000 per year, well above the national average of other jobs. A big factor for the increased demand for medical personnel is the aging baby boomer generation, which make up the largest population bracket of people in recent history. This will create a shortage of medical nurses that will need to be filled by competent people. Listed below are the top five in demand jobs for people with a Master's in Nursing according to Nurse Journal.

Resource: Top 30 Most Affordable Online Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degree Programs

Certified Nurse Midwife

More medical professionals will be needed for our aging population, resulting in a shortage of medical people in other areas, including midwives. Midwives fall under the designation of certified nurse-midwives or certified midwives. Both have a Master's in Nursing. The former is a registered nurse with a certification by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). The later has a background in a health-related field other than nursing and are also accredited by ACME. Midwife responsibilities include delivering babies, natal care, gynecological checkups, and family planning and counseling services. The need for this job is expected to rise 31% by 2022 and the average salary is $79,000.

Critical Care Nurse

These are registered nurses who have received additional training to minister to patients who are critically ill. This includes patients who have experienced invasive surgery, accidents, trauma or organ failure. A background in ICU work is often a prerequisite and this job requires certification by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The expected demand for this job is expected to rise 16% by 2022. The average salary is $66,000.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP's) often work in community settings and their role is reminiscent of a family doctor. Unlike RN's, they are authorized to prescribe medication. They diagnose and treat a plethora of illnesses with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. A FNP must have experience as a LPN and hold a Master's in Nursing degree and a license from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Demand for this job is expected to rise 25% by 2022. The average salary is $94,000.

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

This is an advance practice nurse with an RN background of at least 10 years. The two main accreditation tracks are in acute care and primary care. Acute care focuses on stabilizing and restoration of health. They are usually found in an emergency department or intensive care units as well as labs or specialty clinics. Primary care is more focused on counseling in illness prevention and health promotion and usually found in community clinics and private practices. Accreditation comes through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Demand for this job is expected to rise 25% by 2022. The average salary is $94,000.

Nurse Anesthetist

This nurse supports the anesthesiologist during surgery prep and surgery, but are becoming increasingly independent when only local anesthesia is involved. Experience in an ICU or ER is often mandatory. The National Board of Certification and Re-certification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is the agency that governs these medical professionals. It is widely believed that a PhD. may be required for this field within the near future. Demand for this field is expected to hit 22% by 2020. The average salary is $154,300.

It is wise to assume that as our population ages there will be an increased demand for nurses across the medical field. Further nursing education can grow and hone skills throughout ones nursing career. A Master's in Nursing is a great way to achieve valuable medical skills which benefit the medical profession and the patient.