Increasingly, healthcare employers are looking to hire nurses who have a master’s level education, which builds upon the foundational knowledge gained in a Bachelor of Science program. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is a valuable graduate degree that prepares registered nurses for advanced opportunities in the field. When you start an online MSN program, you will find that you can continue working as a nurse while focusing on your education.
What an Online MSN Degree Means for Your Career
Nurses with graduate-level training can provide more advanced care and are often given the opportunity to take on more complex clinical tasks. In addition, they are better prepared to implement the most recent research findings, educate and train other nurses and create evidence-based solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the healthcare industry.
MSN-prepared nurses are considered to be highly skilled healthcare providers, and an increasing number of healthcare systems are looking to employ them. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes that more than 17 percent of nurses in 2022 held a master’s degree, yet the demand for MSN-prepared nurses continues to outpace the supply.
So, what can you do with an MSN degree? Enrolling in an MSN online program opens doors to advanced nursing roles, leadership opportunities and specialization — all without requiring you to leave your current nursing job.
Reasons to Start Your Online MSN Degree
Pursuing an online MSN degree does require you to make a commitment — both of your time and your financial resources. However, most students who choose this pathway find that the benefits of MSN degrees for nurses far outweigh the costs involved.
These are six reasons why you should start an online MSN program in 2026:
Expand Your Clinical Scope and Earn More
The MSN degree program builds upon the foundation that was established during undergraduate study. The curriculum for the online MSN degree focuses on achieving a minimum of 36-53 credit hours and is designed with working nurses in mind, focusing primarily on the most relevant coursework — such as Advanced Nursing Research, Advanced Health Assessment, Integrated Information Technology in Healthcare and Leadership and Care Delivery Environment.
Through this evidence-based, career-driven curriculum, the online nursing MSN degree provides graduates with access to roles with more responsibility, higher salaries and advanced practice credentials. The average MSN nurse salary increase may vary, depending on the roles you pursue and the area where you live, but generally speaking, the MSN degree will improve your earning potential over the course of your career in nursing.
2. Lead Teams, Programs and Healthcare Initiatives
While much of the coursework for the MSN online program focuses on advanced clinical care, nursing research and healthcare ethics, it also weaves educational requirements related to leadership development into the academic experience. Throughout the MSN degree program, students will begin to develop the core competencies required to coordinate care teams, direct nursing programs and manage services. Upon graduating, they are uniquely prepared for MSN nursing leadership roles.
3. Specialize in High-Demand Areas like FNP or Family Nurse Practitioner
Online MSN pathways often include specialization tracks — such as Family Nurse Practitioner — preparing you for advanced roles. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there is significant demand for family nurse practitioners in today’s evolving healthcare industry, and MSN-prepared nurses who complete an FNP specialization track can fill a vital role in closing the equity gap that persists in healthcare. The number of FNPs is growing steadily, but there is still significant demand for qualified, skilled and compassionate MSN-prepared FNPs.
Other specialty tracks that are available when you enroll in an online MSN degree at Rowan University include:
4. Finish the Degree On Your Schedule — Fully Online Format
Enrolling in an MSN degree program doesn’t require a career break. By choosing a fully online learning MSN degree, you can enjoy the flexibility you need as you complete your coursework on your schedule while continuing to care for your patients. It’s one of the best ways for nurses to advance their education and improve their skills, as it doesn’t require them to uproot their personal or professional lives.
5. Gain a Competitive Edge as Healthcare Evolves
The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving, as providers continue to meet the complex needs of patients while adapting to advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. As changes in healthcare delivery continue to occur, employers are increasingly seeking out nurses with master’s degree credentials to lead change and improve outcomes for patients.
6. Boost Long-Term Earnings and Growth Potential
Research shows that MSN-prepared nurses tend to earn high salaries and access broader leadership opportunities. While the significance of your MSN nurse salary increase may vary based on your personal career goals, the area where you practice and where you are employed, you will find that your long-term earning potential is likely higher because you have completed an online MSN degree program.
For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that advanced practice registered nursing roles — which require a master’s-level education — have a median annual salary of about $132,000, higher than the of bachelor’s-prepared registered nurses.
Key Skills You’ll Build in an Online MSN Program
The online MSN degree focuses on advanced clinical skills and soft skill development, preparing nurses for leadership roles and specialized opportunities in the healthcare field.
These are some of the key skills that you will build throughout your MSN online program:
Advanced Clinical Decision-Making
With an emphasis on implementing the most recent nursing research findings and a focus on evidence-based practice, the MSN degree allows students develop the skills required to meet specific requirements and improve clinical decision-making overall. Throughout this program, students develop higher-order clinical reasoning, diagnostics and patient management skills, allowing them to add value in a wide range of healthcare settings.
Nursing Leadership & Systems Management
The MSN program is uniquely designed to build leadership skills and prepare faculty members and nurses for advanced roles in the healthcare field. Graduates of this program learn to lead nursing units, develop effective policy and oversee operations, allowing them to enact changes that maximize the use of resources and improve working conditions for staff.
Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement
Evidence-based nursing practice plays a key role in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery. In the age of health informatics and data-driven decision-making, evidence-based practice is considered essential. The MSN degree emphasizes applying research to improve patient care and operational outcomes, equipping graduates with the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills required to improve evidence-based nursing practice at all levels of healthcare delivery.
Healthcare Policy, Advocacy & Interprofessional Collaboration
The industry-specific coursework for this program at the college of nursing allows students to build skills in shaping policy, working across disciplines and advocating for patients. Graduates leave the program with an advanced understanding of the healthcare landscape and with the leadership skills required to enact lasting and impactful change.
How Rowan’s Online MSN Program Prepares You
Not all online MSN degree programs are created equal. Choosing the right program will prepare you for the leadership roles and specialty opportunities in nursing that align with your personal goals. Rowan offers a fully online format, faculty expertise and career-specific curriculum that allows students to maximize the benefits of MSN degrees for nurses.
“Rowan made it easy for me to go back to continue my education,” said Rochelle H., an MSN-FNP nursing student. “They respect the fact that you’re a practicing nurse, and they just add to what you already have.”
100% Online With Specialization Track (Family Nurse Practitioner)
The MSN degree at Rowan is a fully online program that is built to fit the lives of working nurses while preparing them for advanced practice roles. The Family Nurse Practitioner track, for example, is a specialized program that focuses on family care and prepares nurses for advanced practice positions in primary care settings.
Faculty Who Practice and Teach Advanced Nursing
Experienced instructors who bring professional expertise to the online classes program teach the courses in this program. Many of the instructors are FNPs who have leadership experience, allowing them to provide students with relevant, career-specific instruction.
Career Services & Clinical Placement Support
Students in our online MSN degree program enjoy personalized support, allowing them to feel engaged and involved in the Rowan community with options for financial aid. Students have access to advisors who can help them gain meaningful clinical placements and job outcomes.
Is 2026 the Right Time to Begin?
Demand for advanced practice registered nurses is expected to grow rapidly, with the BLS anticipating that the number of jobs for nurse practitioners will increase by more than 35 percent between 2024 and 2034. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve and the needs of patients become more complex, now is the best time to start an online MSN program. Make 2026 the year that you invest in yourself and in your nursing career.
Get Started With Your Online MSN Today
An MSN online program can open the door to new opportunities in nursing, including advanced practice registered nurse positions and leadership roles. The online MSN degree at Rowan University is designed with working nurses in mind, providing students with a flexible, career-driven program.
Learn more about our admissions process and request more information about our family nurse practitioner online MSN today.
About Rowan Online
Rowan Online empowers learners throughout the region with high-quality, accessible and affordable online education backed by the innovation and forward-thinking of Rowan University. Rowan’s flexible online programs seamlessly connect students to award-winning faculty and industry leaders, comprehensive student support services and academic resources—no matter where they are. In collaboration with Rowan’s nationally ranked colleges and schools, Rowan Online delivers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in high-demand, future-focused fields. Guided by employer insight and industry-driven curriculum, Rowan Online prepares students to excel in a rapidly evolving workforce and lead in their professions and communities.