10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Master’s Degree in Nursing | Ohio State Online 

As you plan the next step in your nursing career, you might consider earning a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Before you take the leap, we’ll break down the 10 questions you should consider before enrolling in a nursing master’s program. Each of these factors can help you determine if a master’s in nursing is right for you, plus the best program to choose for nursing career advancement.

1. Why is accreditation of nursing education programs important?

If you’ve already earned your BSN, you know how important accreditation is. Accreditation means that the school has been reviewed by an external agency and meets standards of quality.  

Accreditation and state authorization are particularly relevant to licensed fields, like nursing. If a program is authorized in your state, that means it complies with licensing regulations and ensures that your Ohio State degree will be recognized. 

At the end of the day, you want to make sure that the program you invest time (and money!)  into will result in your eligibility to become certified in your specialty.  

Here’s one example: If you enroll in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty at Ohio State, you will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam for PMHNP. 

2. Can you still work while enrolled in a nursing master’s program?

Or put another way: Is it possible to balance working as a nurse with online coursework and clinical practicum hours? The short answer is yes. You can opt to enroll in part-time or full-time study, so you can balance work and family responsibilities while earning your degree. For online specialties, coursework is completed online, although in-person visits to campus may be required. While the curriculum is 100% online, courses are offered synchronously, so you will need to log on at certain times each week to attend class. Clinical practicum hours are typically in person (local to you), often during business hours.

3. How much does a master’s degree in nursing cost?

Tuition is likely top of mind, and the cost of your program depends on a lot of factors, such as your state residency, whether you’re attending part-time or full-time and what specialization you select. Ohio State offers a tuition calculator so you can estimate your costs, based on your situation. 

Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re an Ohio resident who wants to enroll in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty on a part-time basis. With no financial aid, the cost could be just under $8,000 per semester. 

4. How long does it take to get a nursing degree?

It takes two years of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study to complete the nursing master’s program at Ohio State. You’ll need to earn 53-73 credit hours, depending on your chosen specialty. 

5. What nursing specializations are available?

Ohio State offers nine specialties in the nursing master’s program, five of which are available online. Each specialization’s curriculum meets nurse practitioner education standards, integrates access to cutting-edge research, faculty expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration and students will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination in the specialty. 

• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Graduates are eligible to sit for certification by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board as Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (CPNP-AC). CPNP-ACs provide comprehensive, complex, chronic, and acute care to newborns, children, and adolescents. CPNP-ACs typically work in a hospital setting. 

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: Graduates of the specialty are eligible for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board (AANP) as Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AGPCNP). AGPCNPs provide comprehensive primary care to individuals, including adolescents, adults and the elderly.  

• Family Nurse Practitioner: Graduates of the specialty are eligible for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board (AANP) as Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP). FNPs provide comprehensive primary care to individuals across the entire lifespan, including pediatrics, adolescents, adults and the elderly. 

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Graduates of the specialty are eligible for certification by the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Core Board Certification as Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP). NNPs provide comprehensive care, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of term, preterm, and critically ill newborns and infants up to age two. 

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Graduates of the specialty are eligible for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP). PMHNPs assess, diagnose, and treat complex psychiatric and mental health conditions across the lifespan. 

The Ohio State University College of Nursing also offers campus-based specializations that include: 

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 

• Family Nurse Practitioner 

• Nurse Midwifery 

• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner  

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner 

Learn more about the campus-based programs. >> 

6. Do you need a BSN to apply for the nursing master’s program?

Yes, you will need to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, in addition to an active RN license in the state where you live, to apply for Ohio State’s Master of Science in Nursing program. 

7. How do you complete clinical experiences while enrolled online?

While the coursework is offered 100% online, clinical experiences are completed in person, in your local area. Clinical experiences typically require a commitment of three to four days per week, mostly during business hours – putting what you learned into practice under the supervision of a preceptor. 

8. How does a master’s degree lead to nursing career advancement?

Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) perform advanced tasks including assessing patients, diagnosing illnesses, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing medications and educating patients on health maintenance and prevention.  

9. Are APRNs in demand?

Yes, APRNs are expected to be in high demand over the next decade. Employment of APRNs is projected to grow 35 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

10. How much do nurse practitioners earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $129,210. 

Is getting your master’s in nursing worth it to advance your career?

If you want to deepen your clinical expertise and become equipped to meet the rising demand for nurse practitioners, then the answer is yes!  

Ohio State is one of the best places to earn your nursing master’s degree: U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our program among the very best in the nation and, in 2026, ranked our online master’s #1 overall in the country. 

Our grads agree: “This program has prepared me for my career and future by providing a curriculum that is reflective of current literature and is embedded in evidence-based practice,” said alum Nicole Clarke. “My thinking has evolved clinically, critically and personally through my coursework.” 

Take it from Nicole: Investing in your nursing career at Ohio State can change the way you think – and lead. 

Still have a few more questions? Reach out to us directly, and one of our enrollment advisors we’ll be in touch to help you.