Careers & Outcomes

Careers & Outcomes: Where Your MSN Can Take You

You’ve built experience. You’ve taken on responsibility. You may already be mentoring others, stepping into leadership roles, or thinking about what’s next in your career.

But without the right credential, moving forward can feel limited.

Muskingum’s MSN in Nursing Leadership & Education helps you expand your role—so you’re not just delivering care, but shaping how care is led, taught, and improved.

One Degree. More Than One Direction.

If you’re asking “What can I do with an MSN in Nursing Leadership & Education?”—the answer is: more than one path.

Unlike many MSN programs in Ohio that require you to choose between leadership or education, Muskingum prepares you for both. That means more flexibility, more career options, and the ability to grow into different roles over time.

You don’t have to choose just one path—and you don’t have to stay where you are.

CAREER PATHS

Salary & Job Outlook for MSN Careers

Strong Demand. Real Opportunity.

Earning your MSN isn’t just about advancing your role—it’s about expanding your opportunities over time.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers aligned with nursing leadership and education offer strong earning potential and continued job growth nationwide.

What You Can Expect to Earn with a MSN

Medical & Health Services Managers
(Healthcare leadership roles such as nurse managers and administrators)

National median salary: $117,960 per year
Job growth: +23% (much faster than average)

Nursing Instructors & Postsecondary Educators
(Faculty roles in ADN and BSN programs)

National median salary: $87,090 per year
Job outlook: High demand due to national faculty shortages

Clinical Nurse Educators
(Healthcare Settings)

Salaries vary by organization and region, with strong demand across healthcare systems

All Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and industry data. BLS Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary salary data.

What This Means for You as a Nurse

Salary can vary depending on location, healthcare system, and experience.

However, many nurses use an MSN to:

Move into leadership roles with increased responsibility and higher earning potential
Transition into education roles with more stable schedules
Combine clinical work with teaching or training for additional income
Build a long-term career path that reduces physical strain and burnout

The value of this degree isn’t just immediate salary—it’s the ability to grow, pivot, and expand your career over time.

A Critical Need You Can Help Fill

Across Ohio and the U.S., the demand for nurse educators is urgent.

Between 2024 and 2025, more than 65,000 qualified nursing school applicants were turned away—not because they weren’t capable, but because there weren’t enough instructors.

At the same time, healthcare organizations need experienced nurse leaders to guide teams, improve patient outcomes, and manage increasingly complex systems.

This degree prepares you to step into both areas of need.

Build a Career That Evolves With You

One of the biggest advantages of this degree is flexibility.

Because you’re prepared for both leadership and education roles, you can:

Move into leadership now and teach later
Combine clinical work with part-time teaching
Transition out of bedside roles over time
Adapt your career as your goals change

This is a degree that grows with you—not one that limits you.

A Pathway to What’s Next

For some nurses, earning an MSN is the goal. For others, it’s the beginning of something more.

This program is designed to build a strong foundation for doctoral study—so if you decide to continue your education, you’re prepared.

Through your coursework, you’ll develop skills in:

Leadership and organizational decision-making
Evidence-based practice and research
Systems thinking and problem-solving
Teaching and curriculum design

These are the same competencies expected in doctoral-level programs.

Master of Science in Nursing