The nursing field is one ripe with opportunities for professionals willing to put in the time and effort to grow. However, there are an increasing number of educational career paths that nurses and aspiring nurses can pursue to reach their career goals.
If you’re a working nurse or someone intent on pursuing the nursing career path, you may be wondering if it makes sense to pursue an advanced nursing degree. While the specific answer to this question will differ for each person depending on your specific goals, there is some good information to be aware of.
Let’s dive in and analyze the career and financial gains of nurses who obtain an advanced nursing degree.
What Types of Advanced Nursing Degrees Are Out There?
When it comes to advanced nursing degrees, they can typically be split into two categories: master’s degrees in nursing and doctoral degrees in nursing. However, this does little to paint an accurate picture of the entire spectrum of advanced nursing degrees as there are many different specialties and focuses to choose from.
Though there are many reasons to pursue an advanced nursing degree, the main reasons behind these pursuits are typically career advancement and increased earning potential. To gain a clear picture of whether it’s worth it for you to obtain an advanced nursing degree, it’s vital to explore different nursing careers and the salaries they offer.
Nursing Careers Those Without Advanced Degrees Are Qualified For
To begin, let’s explore some of the most popular nursing careers that don’t require you to have an advanced degree and their salaries.
Some key nursing positions you can qualify yourself for without an advanced nursing degree include:
Nursing assistant: Nursing assistants are a lower-level nursing position that can include a range of duties including obtaining medical information and assisting patients in different ways. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for nurse assistants in 2023 was $38,130.
Registered nurse: Registered nurses provide vital care to patients in a variety of environments ranging from hospitals to private medical facilities. These professionals must hold at least an associate’s degree from an accredited institution to be qualified for this role, with many registered nurses holding a bachelor’s degree. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for registered nurses in 2023 was $86,070.
Nursing Careers Those with Advanced Degrees Are Qualified For
Now that we’ve explored some common nursing positions that don’t require advanced degrees, let’s take a look at roles only individuals with advanced nursing degrees can step into.
Some key nursing positions you can only qualify yourself for with an advanced nursing degree include:
Nurse practitioner: Nurse practitioners are advanced nurses who provide care to patients at a high level. In some cases, nurse practitioners can be primary care providers while many nurse practitioners have a specific area of expertise.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $129,480.
Nurse Anesthetist: Nurse anesthetists are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients. This is typically done before a patient goes into surgery or undergoes a type of operation. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $129,480.
Is It Worth It?
As can be seen, nursing professionals in roles that require advanced nursing degrees typically make more than their nurse counterparts who don’t have these degrees. This being the case, those interested in stepping into advanced nursing roles and commanding higher salaries will typically find it worth it to pursue an advanced degree.
However, it must be noted that an advanced degree nursing program can cost thousands of dollars and may even require one to stop working during that time. In addition, nursing salaries can differ significantly in different states, meaning that a registered nurse in one state may make a comparable salary to a nurse practitioner in a different state.
What these factors indicate is that it’s imperative to have clarity about your specific nursing goals before pursuing an advanced degree. By having a clear picture of what you want to accomplish, you can make an accurate decision about whether an advanced nursing degree is worth it for you.
