Why Should You Get a Graduate Degree in Nursing?

nurse wearing a stethoscope and holding a clipboard smiles in front of a window in a clinic

Kent State University’s College of Nursing is one of the nation’s largest and most respected nursing schools, with more than 12,000 alumni worldwide. Designated as a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education in 2013, we partner with over 350 hospitals, clinics, and extended-care facilities to give our students valuable clinical experience and prepare them as future nurse leaders.1 Kent State’s online master’s in nursing program is ranked in the top 100 in the country by U.S. News.

The College offers 100% online nursing programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, graduate certificate, and doctoral levels.

Why Nursing?

Nurses are in high demand! The field of nursing can be very rewarding. It’s also one of the fastest-growing careers in one of the highest-paying fields with a median yearly pay of $71,730.2

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for registered nurses will grow by 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.3 BLS attributes this growth on three things: an increase in preventative care; an increase in rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity; and more demand for healthcare as individuals live longer and more active lives.

What Does a Registered Nurse do?

Registered nurses, or RNs, “provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.”4 As an RN, you can work in a hospital, physicians’ office, nursing care facilities, healthcare services, and clinics, and schools, among others.

Kent State University Master of Science in Nursing

Kent State’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares registered nurses for roles in advanced practice, education, and health care administration.

The program is offered for both full-time and part-time students; offering the flexibility to work while in the program. Full-time students can complete the program in four to five semesters or two full academic years. Part-time students can complete the program in three to four years. Kent State’s MSN is also accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.

Graduates of the MSN will be able to:

  1. Acquire educational eligibility to meet standards for advanced practice certification or other advanced professional distinction.
  2. Acquire competencies based on professional standards to assume advanced roles in nursing and for leadership and career advancement, including doctoral study.
  3. Communicate, integrate and apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive nursing care and promote quality outcomes in nursing and health care.

MSN 100% Online Concentrations:

  • Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - provide advanced nursing care of patients from young adulthood through old age to death
  • Nurse Educator - serve as a nursing educator in academic and staff development settings
  • Nursing Administration and Health Systems Leadership - work in mid-to upper-level management, administrative, and leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - provide advanced psychiatric nursing care to individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner - provide the highest level of primary nursing care form women involving health promotion and disease prevention

*Certificate Opportunity! All of the MSN concentrations are also available as graduate certificates. Keep scrolling for more information.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Master of Science in Nursing, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/master-of-science-in-nursing.

Dual Degree with M.B.A. degree in Business Administration
Kent State University offers a dual MSN/MBS degree, in partnership with the top-ranked Kent State University College of Business Administration, to prepare students to assume mid-and upper-level positions in various healthcare settings.5 The dual degree combines the strengths of advanced nursing preparation with the practical management knowledge needed to develop significant leadership capabilities.

Learn more about the MSN/MBA dual degree by visiting https://www.kent.edu/nursing/programs/masters/msn-mba.

Kent State University Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal degree for nurses who want to advance their knowledge of nursing practice, gain exceptional leadership and technology skills, and become clinical scholars. Students develop leadership skills to improve health outcomes for individuals and populations by translating scientific evidence into clinical interventions, managing healthcare systems, and collaborating with other healthcare providers.

The DNP degree in Nursing at Kent State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/doctor-of-nursing-practice.

Kent State University Nursing Graduate Certificates

Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
The Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist graduate certificate provides nurses who already have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge for the adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist role.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Graduate Certificate, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/certificate-adult-gerontology-clinical-nurse-specialist.

Nurse Educator
The Nurse Educator graduate certificate provides nurses who already have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge and experience for the nurse educator role.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/certificate-nurse-educator.

Nursing Administration and Health Systems Leadership
The Nursing Administration and Health Systems Leadership graduate certificate provide nurses who already have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge for nursing administration and health systems leadership.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Nursing Administration and Health Systems Leadership Graduate Certificate, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/certificate-nursing-administration-and-health-systems-leadership.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate prepares nurses who have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner role.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/certificate-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
The Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate provides nurses who already have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge and clinical experience for the women’s health nurse practitioner role.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/certificate-womens-health-nurse-practitioner.



Not interested in a graduate degree? Learn more about the 100% online Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses RN-to-BSN.


1 Retrieved on February 9, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/colleges-and-schools
2 Retrieved on February 9, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/nursing/major-why-nursing
3 Retrieved on February 9, 2021, from https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/healthcare-jobs-in-high-demand-after-coronavirus/
4 Retrieved on February 9, 2021, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
5 Retrieved on February 9, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/nursing/programs/masters/msn-mba

The editorial team at Kent State Online is composed of dedicated professionals with expertise in higher education, digital marketing, and content strategy. Our mission is to create insightful, engaging, and informative content that empowers prospective students to make informed decisions about advancing their education and careers.
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