Part Four: Post-Secondary Nursing Career Pathways – A Five-Part Series

August 26, 2020

Author: Tisha Bradford

For the fourth part of this series, we will look at a joint master’s degree in nursing (MSN). Earning a joint master’s degree in nursing could be the right path for you if you want to earn an MSN and a complementary degree in less time than completing two separate programs. The MSN degree provides you with advanced skills in nursing practice and theory. In order to pursue a joint degree, you must gain admission into each separate program, and work on two demanding course loads at the same time. It typically takes between 18 months and three years of full-time study to complete a joint master’s degree in nursing.

What you can do with this degree

Any joint degree will expand your opportunities for advancement and boost your potential for higher earnings. Specific roles will depend on the type of joint degree you earn, but there are three common combinations.

Joint MSN/MPH – Pairing an MSN with a Master of Public Health (MPH) is designed for nurses who want to pursue leadership positions in community or public health organizations.
Joint MSN/MBA – Combining an MSN with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is sometimes known as being in the “Nurse Executive Program.” Here, students learn the business skills necessary to hold executive-level roles in hospitals and other large healthcare organizations.
Joint MSN/MHA – Earning an MSN with a Master of Health Administration (MHA) offers similar benefits to those of the joint degrees listed above, but the combination is a bit broader. You’ll be educated about making important decisions related to the management of various healthcare organizations and educational settings.

Earning Potential in Oklahoma

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t report data for jobs that specifically require joint degrees./ However, roles that fall under the umbrella of healthcare executives and administrators earn an average annual wage of $113,730. According to hundreds of salaries submitted to PayScale.com, chief nursing officers make an average of $126,318 a year.