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Master of Science in Nursing Careers

Prepare for Leading-Edge M.S.N. Jobs

Flexible Online Courses

Nursing Leadership Concentration

It’s a great time to earn an advanced nursing degree. Factors like growing nursing job opportunities, changing patient demographics and the need for effective nursing administrators1 could spark demand for nurse leaders and other jobs for M.S.N. graduates.

Benedictine University’s online M.S.N. program offers a high-quality degree that positions you for professional success. You’ll also gain access to The Benedictine Virtual Career Center (BVCC), which offers resume reviews, mock interviews, career counseling and more.

  • The Nursing Leadership concentration prepares you to oversee departments and facilities in a variety of nursing careers.
  • The average M.S.N. degree salary was $104,000 per year as of July 20242.

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M.S.N. Jobs and Salaries

Quality Management Director $110,012 average yearly base salary3

Director, Nursing $100,887 average yearly base salary4

Director, Clinical Services $99,613 average yearly base salary5

Clinical Nursing Manager $91,007 average yearly base salary6

Meet the High Demand for Leadership in Nursing Jobs

Health care facilities across the country are seeking a more educated nursing workforce. The AACN reports that the current demand for master’s-prepared nurses far exceeds the supply of qualified applicants.7 Even so, only about 17% of registered nurses had master’s degrees in 2022.7

Earning your M.S.N. online with Benedictine gives you an advantage when pursuing higher-paying nursing careers. Through our Nursing Leadership concentration, you can develop specialized skills to meet the challenges of administrative and management roles.

M.S.N. Alumni in the Workforce

With the career-focused outcomes and hands-on experience you gain in this program, you’ll graduate with advanced nursing knowledge and skills you can immediately apply in the workplace. Benedictine M.S.N. graduates reported working for organizations such as:

Alumni Employers

  • Advocate Aurora Health System
  • Illinois Department of Public Health
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • Walter Reed National Military Hospital

Program Outcomes and Skills Acquired

What You’ll Learn

Students in the Master of Science in Nursing Program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):

Integrate nursing knowledge and science and relevant science-based theories as the basis for advanced nursing practice.

University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills

Critically appraise existing research to determine and implement the best evidence to advance the scholarship of nursing.

University SLO: 5. Analytical Skills

Utilize leadership practices to advance healthcare policy, promoting a culture of safety and delivering quality cost-effective care.

University SLO: 8. Stewardship

Integrate information and communication technologies to deliver quality healthcare services in accordance with best practices and professional and regulatory standards. 

University SLO: 4. Information Fluency

Engage in interprofessional partnerships focused on the improvement of patient and population health outcomes in an ethical, legal, and fiscally responsible manner.

University SLO: 7. Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Communicate effectively to promote person-centered care and enhance the health and well-being of persons.

University SLO: 3. Communication Skills

Engage in advocacy initiatives to support and improve equitable population health outcomes.

University SLO: 6. Global Awareness and Cultural Awareness

Complete a master’s-level quality improvement project demonstrating synthesis of coursework and advanced nursing practice.

University SLO: 2. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

Advance leadership and professional nursing identity through self-reflection, self-care, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

University SLO: 9. Personal Development

Skills You’ll Gain

As you move through the M.S.N. degree, you’ll address several skills that directly apply to your career, such as:

  • Budgeting and financial planning
  • Complex clinical issues
  • Evidence-based nursing practice
  • Interprofessional collaboration
  • Nursing metrics and models
  • Person-centered care
  • Policy development
  • Quality improvement and safety

Reach Your Full Professional Potential

Your relationship with Benedictine University doesn’t end when you graduate. Our goal is to promote your lifelong personal and professional development by providing you with a foundation for becoming a self-directed learner. From resume assistance to comprehensive career assessment tools, we offer many ways to define and pursue your professional aspirations.

Resume and Cover Letter Review

Upload your resume and cover letter to have a career development team member provide tips and suggestions for improving it.

Career Search Assistance

Let us help you find the career of your dreams using our database and other tools.

Career Assessments

Our Career Development Center offers complimentary assessment tools to help you research and explore an array of career paths.

Alumni Networking

Connect with other graduates at one of our local or virtual events.

Sources

  1. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet.” May 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage.
  2. Payscale. “Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Degree.” July 29, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Science_in_Nursing_(MSN)/Salary.
  3. Payscale. “Average Quality Management (QM) Director Salary.” December 8, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Quality_Management_(QM)_Director/Salary.
  4. Payscale. “Average Salary, Nursing Director Salary.” January 10, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director%2C_Nursing/Salary.
  5. Payscale. “Average Director, Clinical Services Salary.” January 4, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director%2C_Clinical_Services/Salary.
  6. Payscale. “Average Clinical Nurse Manager Salary.” January 8, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Nurse_Manager/Salary.
  7. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet.” April 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-workforce-fact-sheet.
  8. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Registered Nurses.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
  9. Payscale. “Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree.” December 11, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary.