After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the most common next step is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which opens the door to advanced practice roles, leadership positions, and specialized careers. From there, doctoral programs like the DNP or PhD represent the highest levels of nursing education. The path you choose depends on whether you want to provide specialized patient care, lead teams, teach, or conduct research.
The MSN: The Most Common Next Step
A Master of Science in Nursing is the degree most BSN-prepared nurses pursue next. It typically takes two to three years and qualifies you for roles that a bachelor’s degree alone cannot. These include advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles like nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse-midwife, as well as non-clinical paths in education, administration, and informatics.
The salary jump is significant. BSN-prepared registered nurses earn an average of about $82,750 per year, while nurse practitioners with an MSN earn an average of $120,680. The highest-paid 10% of nurse practitioners earn over $200,000. Even outside of direct patient care, an MSN positions you for management and leadership roles that pay more than bedside nursing.
Advanced Practice Nursing Roles
APRNs represent the clinical pinnacle of nursing practice. All four APRN roles require at least a master’s degree, a registered nursing license, completion of an accredited graduate program, and passing a national certification exam. In most states, APRNs can prescribe medications, order tests, and diagnose conditions independently or in collaboration with physicians.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
NPs are by far the most popular choice. Nearly 70% of all nurse practitioners are family nurse practitioners (FNPs), who function much like primary care physicians and see patients of all ages. But the specialty options are broad. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) diagnose and treat mental illness and substance use disorders, often with full prescribing authority. Adult-gerontology NPs focus on adult and elderly patients in either primary care or acute settings like ICUs and emergency departments. Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) care for premature or critically ill infants, typically in neonatal intensive care units.
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
CRNAs administer anesthesia and manage pain before, during, and after surgical and diagnostic procedures. This is one of the highest-paying nursing careers. Entry requires at least one year of critical care experience as an RN before you can even apply to an accredited program. As of January 2025, all new CRNAs must graduate with a doctoral degree, making this the first APRN role to fully require doctorate-level education for entry into practice.
Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Certified nurse-midwives provide gynecological care, family planning, prenatal care, and deliver babies. They manage labor complications, repair lacerations, and can assist physicians during cesarean births. Many serve as the primary maternity care provider for their patients.
Non-Clinical Careers With an MSN
Not every post-BSN path leads back to the bedside. An MSN with a focus on nursing education prepares you to teach in nursing programs or train staff in clinical settings. An MSN in leadership and management leads to roles like nurse manager, director of nursing, or healthcare administrator. Nursing informatics, which blends clinical knowledge with health data systems and technology, is a growing field where most positions require a master’s degree. You can earn informatics certification through the ANCC board exam, but the MSN gives you the advanced credentials employers expect.
A Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) is another option if you want to move into hospital operations or health system management rather than staying within nursing-specific leadership.
Doctoral Degrees: DNP vs. PhD
Two doctoral paths exist in nursing, and they serve very different purposes.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused doctorate. It prepares you for the highest levels of clinical leadership, administration, and evidence-based practice. DNP graduates work as chief nursing officers, nurse executives, directors, and advanced practice clinicians. Instead of a traditional dissertation, DNP students complete a scholarly project focused on quality improvement, evidence-based practice, or health policy. BSN-to-DNP bridge programs let you skip the standalone MSN and move directly to a doctorate. Georgetown University’s full-time BSN-to-DNP program, for example, can be completed in as few as 33 months, though tuition runs close to $196,000.
The PhD in Nursing is a research doctorate. It trains you to design and lead original research studies, develop nursing theory, and publish findings. PhD graduates typically become professors, research directors, postdoctoral fellows, or chief nursing officers in academic medical centers. The program culminates in defending a dissertation based on original research.
In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing endorsed moving the entry-level degree for advanced practice nursing from the master’s to the doctorate. That shift has been gradual, and MSN-prepared APRNs still practice widely, but the trend toward doctoral preparation is accelerating. Nurse anesthesia has already made the transition mandatory.
Getting Into a Graduate Nursing Program
Admission requirements vary by school and program, but there are common expectations. Most programs require an accredited BSN, an active RN license, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. At Yale, for instance, applicants who meet the 3.0 GPA threshold do not need to submit GRE scores. Those below 3.0 must take the GRE and score at or above the 50th percentile in all three sections. At least one year of professional nursing experience is highly recommended at most schools, and CRNA programs specifically require a year of critical care experience.
Strong applications typically include clinical references, a personal statement explaining your career goals, and evidence that you understand the demands of graduate-level work. If your GPA is borderline, relevant clinical experience and certifications can strengthen your candidacy.
Choosing Your Path
Your decision comes down to what kind of work energizes you. If you want to diagnose and treat patients with more autonomy, an MSN or DNP in a nurse practitioner specialty is the clearest route. If you want to shape how hospitals run, look at leadership, administration, or executive-focused programs. If you love teaching, a nurse educator MSN gets you into the classroom, and a PhD or DNP positions you for tenure-track faculty roles. If you’re drawn to research and want to generate new knowledge rather than apply existing evidence, the PhD is the right fit.
Many nurses complete their MSN first, work in their new role for a few years, and then return for a doctoral degree through a post-master’s DNP or PhD program. Others go straight from BSN to DNP through bridge programs. Neither path is inherently better. The right sequence depends on your financial situation, how quickly you want to start earning at a higher level, and how clear you are on your long-term goals.