Types of MSN Specialties: What Can I Pursue?

When RNs choose a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, they are also pursuing a specialized path that allows them to enhance their skills in a particular area of practice or leadership.
 
Why might a nurse want to specialize? With an MSN, you’ll be able to focus in the area of nursing that interests you the most, as well as pursue advanced leadership or administrative roles that command higher salaries. In addition to better pay, many of these roles also offer nurses a more predictable working schedule than one might have working on the floor in a hospital. Some specialized nursing roles operate on a traditional 8 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday, with variation depending on the setting. 

MSN specialties fall into two primary categories: practitioner and non-practitioner. 

This post will provide information about eight of the most popular MSN tracks—including several that are offered through Franklin University. Read on to learn about important points such as program requirements, average salary, and job prospects for each specialty. 

MSN Nurse Practitioner Specialties 

Nurse practitioners deliver advanced care to patients beyond what an RN can provide. They can independently assess, diagnose and treat patients. They can order tests and, in some locations, even prescribe medication. The need for additional healthcare workers in the United States is immense and nurse practitioners are expected to be a big part of the solution to that challenge. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 45% job growth for nurse practitioners between 2020 and 2030, making it the fourth-fastest growing occupation in the country.
 
Typical MSN tracks for nurse practitioners include foundational coursework in what Dr. VanRavenstein terms the “3Ps”: pathophysiology, pharmacology and advanced physical assessment; as well as practicums and clinical courses. 

Franklin University, for example, requires MSN candidates to complete 600 clinical hours to graduate. Following graduation, MSNs are eligible to sit for a certification exam from either the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
 
Within the MSN nurse practitioner track, there are several specialties, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). 

Let’s take a deeper look at these three major specialty areas. 

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Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

This is a flexible specialty that works within a hospital, medical office or even in a personal practice. FNPs operate a bit like family medical doctors, treating patients of all ages from infants to the elderly. They can diagnose and treat acute patients and provide annual physical checkups, among other tasks. 

• How popular are MSN-FNP programs?

There were 14,743 MSN-FNP completions in 2020 according to Lightcast™, a global leader in labor market analytics. Of those completions, 66% were earned through online programs.

• How long does it take to get an MSN-FNP degree?

Typically 2-3 years. A Franklin MSN-FNP student can finish in as few as 27 months.

• Are there special curriculum requirements to be an FNP?

Because an FNP’s jurisdiction is broad, some clinical work will focus on pediatrics and women’s health. As mentioned previously, the Franklin MSN-FNP program requires 600 hours of clinical work.

• What certification is required to be an FNP?

The ANCC’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) exam or the AANP’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) certification exam. 

• How much can I make as an FNP?

According to Salary.com, FNPs can make an average of $116,560

• Where can I work as an FNP?

FNPs are in high demand in hospitals, private practices, internal medicine clinics and community health centers. 

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

The main difference between an FNP and an AGNP is that the latter do not treat patients under age 13. AGNPs may work in acute-care settings, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units and inpatient settings; or they may work in primary care settings, which include clinics and private practices. An acute care AGNP primarily focuses on treating illnesses and stabilizing patients while a primary care AGNP addresses illness prevention and health promotion. 

• How long does it take to get an MSN-AGNP degree?

Typically 2-3 years. A Franklin MSN-AGPCNP student can finish in as few as 27 months.

• Are there special curriculum requirements to be an AGNP?

The requirements are largely the same as an FNP, but clinical work will not include pediatrics. The Franklin AGPCNP program requires 600 hours of clinical work.

• What certification is required to be an AGNP?

The ANCC’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) certification or its Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC) certification tests. Alternatively, take the AANP’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) certification exam. 

• How much can I make as an AGNP?

According to Salary.com, AGNPs can make an average of $100,381.

• Where can I work as an AGNP?

Depending on whether they choose to work in acute care or primary care, AGNPs can usually have their pick of practice settings. And, because many AGNPs work with elderly patients, job prospects are expected to be excellent for AGNPs in both the near and medium term.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

MSN-PMHNPs help counsel patients who are experiencing mental health issues that include depression, anxiety, substance abuse and much more. In addition to treating these patients, they can prescribe appropriate medication for them.

• How popular are MSN-PMHNP programs?

There were 1,770 program completions in 2020, according to Lightcast™ and 54% of those degrees were earned through online programs. While the number of completions may seem relatively small, there was a 268% increase in PMHNP program completions between 2016 and 2020, indicating growing demand for this type of education.

• How long does it take to get an MSN-PMHNP degree?

Typically 2-3 years. A Franklin MSN-PMHNP student can finish in as few as 28 months.

• Are there special curriculum requirements to be an MSN-PMHNP?

Students studying to become an MSN-PMHNP take foundational courses in advanced pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacology, as well as courses in differential diagnoses and psychotherapy. The Franklin MSN-PMHNP program also requires 600 hours of clinical work. 

• What certification is required to be a PMHNP?

Take the ANCC’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) exam. If there is a special interest in working with children or families, a PMHNP can seek certification as a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) through the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB). 

• How much can I make as a PMHNP?

According to Salary.com, PMHNPs can make an average of $113,140. 

• Where can I work as a PMHNP?

PMHNPs can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, residential or long-term care facilities, inpatient treatment facilities, correctional facilities and schools. 

MSN Non-Practitioner Specialties

MSN Nursing Generalist

An MSN nursing generalist degree gives you advanced training in practice, research and leadership, preparing you to thrive in a variety of healthcare roles. You may choose a clinical nurse leader role that focuses on care coordination in a large hospital, join a pharmaceutical research company that’s conducting clinical trials for cutting-edge medications and treatments or become an educator in an RN-training program that prepares the next generation of nurses. 

• How long does it take to get an MSN nursing generalist degree?

Typically 2-3 years; however, the Franklin MSN generalist degree can be completed in as few as 18 months.

• Are there special curriculum requirements for a nursing generalist program?

MSN nursing generalist students will usually take advanced courses in the foundational nursing curriculum (physiology, pharmacology and physical assessment), as well as broader topics like health policy and ethics. Beyond the core coursework, they will usually choose electives, practicums and clinical courses focused on their area of interest, such as leadership or teaching. Clinical or practicum requirements can vary widely program to program.

• How much can I make as a nursing generalist? 

The salary for a nursing generalist depends on their specialization. According to Salary.com, registered nurses holding a master’s degree or higher can earn an average annual salary of $98,000.

• Where can I work as a nursing generalist?

Just about anywhere. MSN nursing generalist graduates are qualified for a range of clinical and nonclinical roles, both within healthcare and in adjacent industries, such as insurance and public policy. 

MSN Nurse Administrator 

Nurse administrators are vital leaders in many different healthcare settings, from hospitals to outpatient care centers to federal government health centers. Instead of working with patients, nurse administrators handle the daily operations of a nursing staff, blending their clinical knowledge with managerial skills. 

• How popular are MSN nursing administrator programs?

There were 8,002 MSN nursing administrator degree program completions in 2020 according to Lightcast™, with 65% of those degrees earned through online programs. 

• How long does it take to get an MSN nursing administrator degree?

Typically 2-3 years; however, the Franklin MSN nurse administrator degree can be completed in as few as 16 months. 

• Are there special curriculum requirements to be a nursing administrator?

An MSN nursing administrator program includes a variety of management classes, including systems, program and financial management; organizational and human resources management; and law and policy. 

• What certification is required to be a nursing administrator?

The ANCC’s Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) exam is an option. There are also two certifications offered through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) – the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) and Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) credentials. 

• How much can I make as a nursing administrator? 

According to Salary.com, nursing administrators can make an average of $97,850.

• Where can I work as a nursing administrator?

MSN nursing administrator graduates take on roles such as chief nursing officer, clinical nurse leader and patient care director. They find jobs in many settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics and physician offices. 

MSN Nursing Education

Nursing educators teach patient care in academic and clinical units, and they often conduct research that advances the nursing profession. According to a recent report from the AACN, many nursing schools are limiting the number of students they accept because there simply aren’t enough qualified nurse educators available. That fact, coupled with the immense need for more nurses in the American healthcare system, means that nursing educators will be in high demand in the foreseeable future. 

• How popular are MSN nursing education programs?

There were 3,292 MSN nursing education degree program completions in 2020 according to Lightcast™, with 89% of those degrees earned through online programs. Demand for these degrees is growing; there was a 54% increase in degree completions for nursing education between 2016 and 2020.

• How long does it take to get an MSN nursing educator degree?

Typically 2-3 years.

• Are there special curriculum requirements for a nursing educator program?

In addition to advanced clinical foundations coursework, MSN nursing educator candidates will take education-focused classes such as curriculum development, teaching methods and assessment. 

• What certification is required to be a nursing educator?

Certification is generally not required to become a nursing educator but credentials are available. The National League of Nurses offers two: the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Certified Clinical Academic Nurse Educator (CNEcl). 

• How much can I make as a nursing educator? 

According to Salary.com, nursing educators can make an average of $104,662. 

• Where can I work as a nursing educator?

MSN nursing educator graduates typically work in academic settings like nursing schools, community colleges and technical schools. They also work in healthcare settings as staff development officers and clinical supervisors. 

MSN Public Health Nursing

Instead of focusing on one patient, public health nurses take a wide-angle approach to improving population health. They may work in academic, government or community settings conducting research, producing communications campaigns and educating the public. Through research and advocacy, they work to bring about positive health changes for many people.

• How popular are MSN public health nursing programs?

There were 1,588 MSN public health nursing degree program completions in 2020 according to Lightcast™, with 83% of those degrees earned through online programs. While this number may seem small compared to other MSN specialties, there was a 398% increase in degree completions between 2016 and 2020.

• How long does it take to get an MSN public health nursing degree?

Typically 2-3 years. 

• Are there special curriculum requirements for public health nursing programs?

Courses generally center around epidemiology, advanced research topics, ethical issues, public health program development and health policy and advocacy. 

• What certification is required to be a public health nurse?

Certification is usually not required to work as a public health nurse, but the ANCC does offer an Advanced Public Health Nursing (APHN) credential for interested candidates.

• How much can I make as a public health nurse? 

According to Salary.com, public health nurses can make an average of $64,731.

• Where can I work as a public health nurse?

Public health nurses often work in academic settings, community clinics and government agencies. They’re also highly sought-after by school systems and nonprofit organizations. 

MSN Health Informatics

 According to the American Nurses Association, the MSN track in health informatics “integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice.” Because informatics nurses work at the intersection of patient care and technology, they’re in very high demand not only in healthcare organizations, where they can work closely with IT professionals to improve patient care, but also with technology companies where they can help create platforms that can better serve those organizations. 

• How long does it take to get an MSN health informatics degree?

Typically 2 years

• Are there special curriculum requirements for health informatics nursing programs?

In addition to nursing-centric coursework, MSN health informatics students will likely take courses on data design and management, systems management and project management, among others. Many programs also require a practicum or internship.

• What certification is required to be a health informatics professional?

Certification is not a common requirement for health informatics positions, but several options are available for interested students. The ANCC offers the Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC) exam. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) offers the Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) and Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) credentials.

• How much can I make as a health informatics professional?

According to Salary.com, health informatics specialists can make an average of $65,266. The HIMSS 2020 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey found that nearly half (49%) of respondents earned base salaries of more than $100,000 annually.

• Where can I work as a health informatics professional?

MSN health informatics graduates work in roles such as nursing informatics specialist, clinical nurse informatics specialist and chief nursing informatics officer in hospitals and clinics. They also serve in various roles for healthcare technology companies and medical records companies. 

Choosing the MSN Specialty That’s Right For You

If you’re struggling to decide which MSN track is right for you, start by thinking through what you like most about your work as a nurse. Then explore which career paths allow you to perform those duties most often. 
 
Once you’ve made your decision, compare MSN programs that offer the specialization you want with a structure that works best for your needs. Franklin offers several affordable, online nursing degrees that are designed with busy, working nurses in mind. To learn more about these degree options, please visit Franklin’s MSN programs page. 

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