The truth about MSN leadership in nursing: What’s possible

Nurse leaders often get asked about their Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. In reality, what people want to know is if it’s a good fit for their current careers. Many assume an MSN degree is only beneficial for continuing in leadership roles. But the truth is, MSN is worthwhile regardless of where you’re currently in your nursing career.

In fact, holding an MSN may even help you change careers or advance faster than you would by just having a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, this article explores everything that’s possible with an MSN. We’ll explore its importance, why it’s beneficial for MSN leadership and potential careers, and more!

The importance of an MSN degree in nursing leadership

If you’re currently in a non-leadership role, you may wonder if an MSN degree can help you. Perhaps you want to take on more responsibilities, including in management. Or maybe you’re seeking to further your career. After all, the main reason nurses go to graduate school is to advance in their field. 

Alternatively, you may be working in another field, but the time has come to explore healthcare. Well, there’s no time like the present. The truth is an MSN degree is helpful at any stage of your career change or nursing career. Holding this degree may allow you to advance in your current role or help you break into a new specialty or professional path.

Understanding the basics of an MSN degree

A Master’s of Science in Nursing is an advanced degree given to you after completing a one-to-two-year program. It’s important to note that not all universities offer an MSN degree. Moreover, if you happen to work, you may want to consider an online program. Regardless of the type of program you choose, if you pursue an MSN degree, you’ll take graduate-level courses such as health policy, advanced research methods and evidence-based practice.

The major distinction between a Bachelor’s of Science and an MSN is that an MSN program focuses more on research, which is an integral part of nursing leadership. In addition, MSN programs are designed for nurses who have already graduated from a BSN program. So, if you’re currently in a BSN program, you may consider an MSN program as a continued option for education. Therefore, you may want to complete your degrees as quickly as possible with no pause between degrees.

Why hold an MSN?

An MSN degree is helpful no matter where you are in your career. It can also serve you well if you are looking to change careers. But why is this the case? Well, that comes down to the degree’s focus on research. An MSN rounds you out with even more expertise. In doing so, you accelerate your knowledge, which expands your career options.

Since the MSN degree focuses on research, the program helps you become more familiar with the research process. If you seek opportunities for MSN leadership, this is essential. For instance, if you pursue an MSN degree, you’ll learn advanced concepts, such as gaining deeper insights into population health, healthcare policy and evidence-based practice.

What does a typical MSN curriculum look like?

An MSN degree may vary from school to school. However, the general structure consists of a series of core and elective coursework. The core courses focus on nursing basics, including caring for patients, research methods and evidence-based practice. Elective courses may relate to healthcare and research. 

Some universities may allow you to choose your courses. Others may require you to select specific courses. For example, your program may require a class in health policy or healthcare management. As you advance in your learning, you may choose electives to prepare you for your final project or thesis. 

If you seek to place yourself in MSN leadership positions, you’ll want to look into a school that offers courses in organizational change. Another excellent theme is leadership and management, with studies in people management and healthcare policy. Additional courses include:

• Health Care Policy 
• Healthcare Management 
• Research Design and Methodology 
• Healthcare Marketing 
• Health Informatics 
• Advanced Research Methodology 
• Health Economics 
• Health Outcomes Research 
• Statistics in Health Sciences 
• Healthcare Analysis and Performance Improvement

3 ways an MSN helps with nursing leadership

Holding an MSN degree is a great way to advance your nursing career. If you’ve ever dreamed of switching jobs, this is an excellent path to take. With this degree, you’re more prepared to handle the challenges of nursing leadership. Let’s look at a few ways an MSN can help you to become an effective leader.

• You’ll be more prepared for challenges: As a nurse leader, you’ll face many challenges. An MSN degree helps you navigate these difficult situations by ensuring you’re better prepared. Your advanced coursework helps you to better understand healthcare policy, evidence-based practice and research concepts.
• You’ll have more flexibility: ​Perhaps your career journey isn’t a straight line. Maybe you’ve worked in another area of healthcare and now want to advance in nursing. As a result, you can choose to pursue a specialty you’re interested in and customize your coursework to suit your interests.
• You’ll have greater options: There are numerous specialties within nursing. With an MSN degree, you’re eligible to take on a specialty in almost any area. Of course, this also means you can choose the path that is right for you. Therefore, an MSN degree only increases your options for finding work.

MSN leadership: Leadership jobs you can get with an MSN degree

Leadership is a crucial skill that you can develop over time. However, being a leader doesn’t just mean being a team manager. When it comes to finding a job or starting your own business, being a leader helps set you apart from the rest of the competition. Employers always look for self-starting individuals who can make things happen. Moreover, they seek people who can inspire others.

Leadership is not about telling people what to do in the workplace. It’s about influencing people and guiding them. In short, leaders want others to take ownership of their tasks. They will also provide clear expectations when teams must deliver on these tasks. That’s why leadership is such a valuable skill to possess. 

Still, it’s not enough to have the right attitude and lead others now and again. If you aspire to work in a field where you lead daily, you need to work at it. For one, a degree highlights that you possess these abilities. Next, you’ll need to work on how to become a leader. Finally, it’s time to consider the MSN leadership roles that may be the perfect fit for you once you get your MSN degree.

The following are potential leadership positions you could hold with an MSN degree:

• Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The COO is not just responsible for operations in the institution but for the business as a whole. That means they work with the CEO on the organization’s strategy, development and management. This role includes recruitment, budget management and executive leadership. The position is an excellent option if you thrive in a high-pressure environment. It’s a great choice if you’re good at multitasking, have excellent communication skills and are familiar with the healthcare field. To land this job, you’ll need a lot of education and experience. This is especially true if you want to work for a large organization. However, with an MSN degree and the accompanying experience, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the ideal candidate.

• Chief Science Officer (CSO)

The CSO is responsible for the organization’s research efforts. As a result, they oversee clinical and operational research and ensure the organization meets its research goals. The CSO works with leadership and the research team to decide the most critical science needs. In addition, they manage budgets, staffing related to research and the dissemination of research findings. They make sure research gets published and shared with the appropriate people. This includes working with publication teams and journal editors to publish research on time. The CSO is an excellent position for someone passionate about new technology, research and strategy. An MSN degree provides you with the skills and knowledge to excel in the field of research and be the perfect candidate for this job.

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The CFO is responsible for an organization’s finances. They manage the organization’s cash flow and accounting functions. Moreover, the CFO is responsible for the organization’s financial strategies and budgets. Because of continuous change and economic uncertainty, the CFO is also responsible for risk management. This is a great position for someone with a passion for numbers and finance. An MSN degree can set you to become a CFO because it provides you with the skills and knowledge to excel in finance to grow your opportunities in that area.

• Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

The CTO manages the company’s engineers and tech function. Engineers and technologists are vital in the healthcare industry as the field of biotech grows, so the CTO has the essential role of being a technology leader for the organization. Aside from its focus on tech, this position is great for a self-starter who loves leadership. As technology matures and integrates into all jobs, it’s vital to have CTOs who understand medical science and engineering. An MSN degree provides you with the healthcare and science skills to pursue this track.

• Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

The CNO is responsible for all aspects of nursing at a given facility. This includes managing the nursing staff, setting policies and overseeing patient care. Furthermore, the CNO needs to establish and maintain strong relationships with physicians, administrators and other executives. If you want to explore MSN leadership in nursing, then this position may be right for you. Typically, to qualify for this job, you need a minimum of an MSN with a focus on nursing administration and at least five years of experience in clinical nursing. It also helps to have a Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) focused on administration.

• Chief of Clinical Services (CCS)

As the CCS, you’re responsible for setting quality care standards across all the organization’s areas. If you want to set the tone for healthcare, it’s an excellent career choice. The CCS is responsible for managing the clinical staff and ensuring all clinical standards are met. For this position, you will need a Bachelor’s in Nursing focusing on administration. You should also have at least five years of clinical experience. Most organizations will also require an MSN focusing on clinical administration for this role. This is especially true of larger organizations.

• Chief Quality Officer (CQO)

As the CQO, your primary responsibility is to measure healthcare quality, so this position requires you to set healthcare quality standards. In addition, the CQO monitors achievements to ensure excellent quality of care. As we know, the higher the quality of care, the better for the organization. This is especially true if you want to be a leader in your community. Most organizations require an MSN focusing on healthcare administration for this position. It’s another job that requires a minimum of five years of clinical experience and a Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) with a focus on administration.

• Vice President of Patient Experience (VPPE)

As the VPPE, you’re responsible for improving patients’ experience at the organization. In this job, your focus will be on setting the standards for patient care and improving how patients get treated. The VPPE oversees the patient experience, compliance and regulatory teams and also manages the patient satisfaction survey process. In addition, they are responsible for managing patient relations and staff. Typically, this position reports to the CEO. As with all these senior leadership roles, you should have a BSN focusing on administration and years of experience as a clinical leader. Again, you can set yourself apart for this position by obtaining an MSN degree.

• Vice President of Professional Practice

As the VP of professional practice, you’re responsible for promoting excellence among nurses at the organization. In effect, you need to set the standards for excellence by supporting nurses in their daily work. As a result, you’ll be tasked with managing nurse relations and staff. This position reports to the CNO and is usually a position found in large healthcare systems. In addition, the VP of professional practice manages the professional development program for all clinical staff. They also oversee the recruitment and hiring of clinical leaders, develop and enhance the nursing profession, help to improve clinical practice, manage the staff development budget and oversee the professional development team. In essence, the vice president of professional practice serves as a high-level nursing executive. Again, this position requires an MSN focusing on health administration and management. 

• Chief of Staff

A senior nursing executive who usually reports to the CNO, the chief of staff manages the nursing leadership team and ensures the organization meets its strategic nursing goals. You are generally responsible for managing the human resources department and the nursing executive team. In addition, the chief of staff is accountable for meeting the business and operational goals of the nursing department, managing key relationships and providing strategic counsel to the CNO. It’s an exciting role for those interested in nursing and management.

Is MSN leadership worth pursuing?

Leadership jobs are some of the best positions within the healthcare industry. Therefore, if you’re interested in becoming a nurse leader, you should consider pursuing a career as an MSN nurse. MSN programs are available in many forms, including online programs. When you graduate, you can apply for nursing leadership jobs like the ones outlined above. These positions combine clinical expertise with business acumen. 

Nurses are a critical part of the healthcare team. Moreover, leadership positions continue to open for nurses, and this is especially true for nurses with broad experience – for instance, those with clinical, research and management skills and expertise. As a result of the complexities of the healthcare world, an MSN leadership degree positions you well to progress in the field. Once you have your advanced degree, you can leverage your network and contacts toward a new position.

In sum, if you’re a nurse leader considering pursuing an MSN degree, you may wonder if it’s worth the investment. The truth is the MSN degree is helpful for professionals at any career stage. Holding this degree allows you to advance in your current role. Or it could help you break into a new specialty or career path. With an MSN degree, you’re more prepared to handle the challenges of nursing leadership. You also have more flexibility to pursue a specialty in any area of nursing. Overall, an MSN degree is a great way to advance your career.