People who earn a Bachelor's of Science degree in nursing have received an educational background that prepares them to work in locations that include medical offices, hospitals, home health services, nursing homes and others. Bachelor's degrees in nursing generally require four years of education, and this level of schooling can prepare nurses to immediately join the workforce or continue their education and pursue a master's degree. Many nurses with bachelor's degrees work in supervisory positions.
A master's degree in nursing is earned through additional education, which in many programs lasts from one to three years. People with master's degrees can work as an administrator, family care practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, health educator or in other capacities. A master's degree education may include courses in nursing administration, adult health, mental health, anesthesia, and women's and children's health.
Some nursing students choose to combine bachelor's and master's programs into one educational track at an institution that offers this option. In many cases, students who have no nursing experience or nursing education complete both degrees using this format. In some cases, accelerated master's degree programs in nursing refer to a program that is designed specifically for licensed registered nurses who already have earned an associate degree but wish to earn a master's degree in nursing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing was the largest occupation in the health care industry with about 2.6 million jobs in 2008 (the last year in which statistics are available). Hospitals employed the majority of registered nurses, with 60 percent of the jobs. According to Indeed.com, in 2010 the average salary for nurses with a master's degree was $93,000 a year. The average salary for those without a master's degree was $72,000 a year.