Do you currently have a BSN? Are you interested in pursuing a specialty and earning your MSN to advance your career in nursing? If you are enrolling in a Master’s degree nursing program, you will need to decide if you are going to earn a general degree or you are going to study within a specific concentration. While a general degree can help you advance your career, a concentration is more appropriate when you want to compete for highly competitive jobs in administration, education, informatics, acute care, leadership, and case management.
By choosing the appropriate degree area and concentration, you can enjoy a stable and high-paying career in a specialized field. While there are several different concentrations available to select from, it is important to consider trends in the field to make the best selection. Here are some of the best MSN concentrations based on opportunity and demand predicted in the future.
Fulfilling Growing Demand With MSN in Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Concentration
With a growing population of Baby Boomers and life expectancy rates on the rise, the need for Nurse Practitioners who specialize in Adult Gerontology is on the rise. The A-GNP concentration will prepare graduate nursing students for a professional career in advanced practice nursing in primary healthcare for aging adult patients. Once you earn your MSN A-GNP, you will be eligible to sit to take a national exam and get certified as a specialty Nurse Practitioner.
Not only is the demand for nursing professionals who provide quality care in gerontology on the rise, the need for nurse practitioners who can provide low-cost care without being supervised by a doctor is as well. If you want demand to be on your side, the A-GNP concentration could be a great area of study for you.
Administration Concentrations for Leadership Roles
Healthcare administration is rapidly changing, and the onset of these changes has created opportunities for RNs and professionals who are interested in getting involved in leadership. When you enroll in an MSN program with a concentration in Nursing Administration, the curriculum will focus on preparing you to become an administrator. You will learn organization theory, leadership theory, development and nurse management techniques so that you can run a department in a hospital or another healthcare setting. If managing the department is your ultimate goal, you may also want to purse a concentration in Leadership and Management.
Hybrid Nursing Concentrations
Hybrid concentrations in almost all degree areas are becoming the new trend for graduate students. If you want a hybrid degree that focuses on nurse science, information science, and also computer science, earning your MSN with a concentration in Nurse Informatics could be the best route for you. You will learn the process of collecting, processing, and managing data, and how to support the field with your knowledge of technology.
When you ask which is the best MSN concentration to pursue, the answer depends entirely on your interests and your skills. If you like to work with patients in a specific demographic, the demand for A-GNP is very high. If you want to be a leader, you may want to pursue a Nursing Administration degree that will help you advance. Consider what sounds most appealing to you, and then factor in salaries and demand.
