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.
Move into positions where you influence patient care beyond the bedside—leading teams, improving systems, and shaping how care is delivered.
Common MSN leadership careers include:
In Ohio and nationwide, healthcare leadership roles are growing rapidly—creating strong demand for nurses with advanced leadership training.
If you’ve ever mentored a new nurse and thought, “I could see myself doing this full-time,” this path allows you to turn that into a career.
Common nurse educator roles include:
Many nursing education roles require a master’s degree—making an MSN a key credential for teaching.
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.
Medical & Health Services Managers
(Healthcare leadership roles such as nurse managers and administrators)
Nursing Instructors & Postsecondary Educators
(Faculty roles in ADN and BSN programs)
Clinical Nurse Educators
(Healthcare Settings)
All Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and industry data. BLS Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary salary data.
Beyond Salary: What This Degree Can Open Up
Salary can vary depending on location, healthcare system, and experience.
However, many nurses use an MSN to:
The value of this degree isn’t just immediate salary—it’s the ability to grow, pivot, and expand your career over time.
Explore the curriculum to see how leadership, education, and capstone experiences prepare you for these roles.
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.
One of the biggest advantages of this degree is flexibility.
Because you’re prepared for both leadership and education roles, you can:
This is a degree that grows with you—not one that limits you.
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:
These are the same competencies expected in doctoral-level programs. You don’t have to decide now—but this degree helps keep that door open for the future.
Macey Carson, MSN, RN
Coordinator of Graduate and Adult Learning Programs in Nursing
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Muskingum University
260 Stadium Drive
New Concord, OH 43762
PH: 740-826-6168
E-mail: maceyc@muskingum.edu
