A large body of research indicates that nurses with MSN degrees such as advanced practice nurses provide high quality medical care at substantially lower costs than that of physicians. A 2015 Rand Corporation study commissioned by the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses suggested that increasing the scope of practice for the state’s APNs would increase access to health care in the state.
There are substantial economic benefits for nurses with MSN degrees in Ohio. For example, the state’s Department of Jobs and Family Services indicated that APNs had salaries 1.47 to 2.34 times higher than those of staff nurses in 2014.
A large number of Ohio’s nurses are taking advantage of the opportunities available through specialized RN-MSN bridge programs. In 2013, there were 5,546 students enrolled in MSN programs in Ohio according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. These programs are available in a number of specialized tracks specific to advanced clinical roles, as well as education, informatics administration, and research.
Comparison of the Salaries of APN and Staff Nurses in Ohio
An analysis of the salaries of different types of nurses in Ohio indicates the economic benefits of obtaining an MSN. One such analysis is that of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, which provides the 2014 salaries of APNs as compared to RNs who typically have ADNs or BSNs:
The Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses conducted an additional analysis that indicates the increased salary benefits a master’s degree brings. Its analysis of the salaries of nurses in Ohio and other parts of the lower great lakes region and Mid-Atlantic indicated that advanced practice nurses were paid $44,723 a year more on average than staff nurses in 2012:
- APN – $94,250
- Staff Nurse – $49,527
Nurse Practitioner Salaries in Ohio’s Key Regions
A US Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis of the salaries of nurse practitioners in different parts of Ohio showed that they differed greatly throughout Ohio in 2013. The median salaries for these professionals were substantially higher when they were located in the Lima area:
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries in Ohio’s Major Metropolitan Areas
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a detailed analysis of the salaries of nurse anesthetists in Ohio’s major cities for 2013. It revealed that such professionals who were located in the Parkersburg area had substantially higher median salaries than those in the other cities analyzed:
*These figures represent hourly wages that are at least $90.00 per hour or annual salaries that are at least $187,199. These are the maximum salaries reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for Ohio.
Salaries for Nurse Midwives in Cincinnati and Cleveland
US Bureau of Labor Statistics data compared the salaries of nurse midwives in Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2013. It revealed that those in Cleveland earned slightly more on average than such professionals in Cincinnati: