There are several specialties within the master's in nursing category. These include certified nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife (CNM) and others depending on the university. In addition to this nurses can pursue a master's in health, or healthcare, administration (MHA, OR MHSc), which can be taken with a nursing emphasis; or they can earn a traditional MBA.
A specialty within a master's in nursing (e.g., NP) is a technical degree and could limit employment to that specialty, whereas a less specialized MHA or MBA would open up a wider range of careers in hospitals, administration and consulting. The choice would be between a career in patient care and one in policy and management.
According to the U.S. census of 2000, those who obtain graduate degrees can see an increase of up to 40 percent in their salaries. In health care management, salaries can range between $100,000 and $400,000 depending on the size of the facility. Work as a nursing policy adviser in government garners salaries in the $65,000 to $120,000 range, depending on experience in the field. Certified nurse midwives and their equivalents are also in that range.
Graduate degrees in nursing are not limited to registered nurses. Other health practitioners, such as practical nurses or technologists, can also take graduate courses in nursing. The program differs only in that it is one year longer; the first year is spent in learning nursing theory.