What it means
A master's-level degree (MSN). It prepares registered nurses for roles such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse educator or nurse leader. Nurse anesthetists now enter practice with a doctoral degree, and some other advanced roles are moving to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
At a glance
| Abbreviations | MSN |
|---|---|
| Also written | MSN |
Related terms
registered nurse
A nurse who has passed the NCLEX-RN and holds a state license to practice as an RN.
nurse practitioner
A registered nurse with a graduate degree and advanced training who can assess, diagnose, treat and prescribe.
certification
A credential from a professional organization showing that a person has met the standards for a specialty.