BSN to MSN salary

The median annual wage for registered nurses at all degree levels in 2009 was $63,750, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While nurses are in demand and are often paid based on the demand for their skills, they can earn even more by earning a master's of science in nursing. Nurses holding MSN degrees are highly skilled and specialized and paid accordingly. According to a 2008 report by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the average salary for an NP was $92,110. The BSN to MSN salary increase has the potential to increase by up to 40 percent.

BSN to MSN salary: opportunities increase as does pay

Opportunities for nurses holding an MSN include:

• Certified nurse midwife
• Clinical nurse specialist
• Nurse anesthetist
• Nurse practitioner

Nurses holding MSNs also can develop expertise in a range of specialty area, such as:

• Adult health nursing
• Gerontological nursing
• Neonatal nursing
• Nursing administration
• Psychiatric mental health nursing

Nurses holding master's degrees also can teach at colleges, universities and professional schools.

Good examples of the BSN to MSN salary boost are these numbers from the 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses:

• Nurse anesthetist: $154,221
• Management/administration: senior management: $96,735
• Management/administration: $78,356
• Consultant: $76,473
• Informatics nurse: $75,242
• Clinical nurse specialist: $72,856

BSN to MSN salary: nurses to fill need?

The demand for nurses is only expected to increase as the population ages and health-care reform results in the need for the delivery of more care. The demand for nurses who go from BSN to MSN may be even greater as nurses with MSNs--advance practice nurses--are called on to help meet more complicated medical needs.