What Are the Different Types of Nursing Master’s Degrees?

If you’re ready to advance your nursing career with an online MS in Nursing, your next step is deciding which type of specialty best fits your goals. At The Ohio State University College of Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing offers five online specialties to tailor your education to your career goals and interests. Each specialization curriculum integrates access to cutting-edge research, faculty expertise, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

First, let’s dive into the five specialties offered in Ohio State’s online MS in Nursing program to help you determine what type of nursing master’s degree to choose.

Five Master of Science in Nursing Specializations Offered by Ohio State Online

• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Prepare to deliver advanced, specialized care for acutely ill and medically complex infants, children, and adolescents in the hospital setting.

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: Focus on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions in adolescents, adults, and older adults, with an emphasis on health promotion and primary care.

• Family Nurse Practitioner: Develop the skills to provide comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, diagnosing and managing common health conditions while promoting wellness for individuals and families.

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Learn to care for high-risk newborns with the skills and confidence to make a lasting impact in neonatal nursing, preparing you to provide specialized, high-level care for infants and their families in neonatal settings.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Learn to provide comprehensive mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, including psychotherapy and medication management, across a wide range of clinical settings and patient populations.

How do you choose your MS in Nursing specialty?

When deciding which specialty to pursue, consider several factors beyond your interest in the subject matter. Consider what a day in the life would look like for a nurse practitioner in this specialty.

Do you thrive in a fast-paced hospital setting, or do you prefer the continuity and relationships built in outpatient settings, such as a primary care clinic or mental health facility? These choices may also impact your work schedule –  hospital-based roles often require longer shifts over fewer days, while outpatient settings typically follow a traditional weekday schedule.

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When it comes to patient care, consider the type of work that feels most meaningful to you. Would you enjoy building long-term relationships with patients as you provide comprehensive mental health care? Or would you feel most fulfilled delivering high-acuity care in an intensive or emergency care setting?

Additionally, think about the patient population that you most like caring for.  Does caring for acutely ill infants, children, and adolescents during high-acuity episodes of care inspire you? Or would you rather provide primary care to adolescents, adults, and older adults across a range of health needs?

Career outlook and demand

Nurse practitioners are in high demand, a trend that is expected to continue over the next decade. Overall employment of nurse practitioners (as well as nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives) is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median salary for nurse practitioners is $129,210 annually, though earnings may vary based on geographical location, experience and specialty.

This demand is driven largely by the growing healthcare needs of the nation’s aging population, making skilled nursing professionals essential for providing comprehensive, high-quality care to older adults.

Next steps
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a great way to advance your nursing career and Ohio State’s online MS in Nursing offers multiple pathways to help you achieve your goals. For more information on the different types of master’s degrees in nursing offered online by Ohio State, reach out to an Enrollment Advisor today.