Nursing Graduate Programs

Nursing Graduate Programs and Nursing Graduate Degrees

Graduate Nursing programs prepare students for a variety of potential nursing careers, including leadership, research and education and nursing specialties. A significant difference between an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in nursing is the skill level achieved.

Advanced nursing degrees indicate that a nurse has received a more intensive and specialized training and has a deeper foundation of knowledge. So if you have an undergraduate degree in nursing, and want to broaden your academic pursuits, consider nursing graduate programs. This generally leads to greater job responsibilities and higher salaries.

Graduate Nursing Programs Overview: MSN, PhD, DNP, and Nursing Certificates

Nursing graduate programs include coursework in advanced medical topics and commonly require a thesis. Graduate Nursing programs include certificates in nursing, masters in nursing (MSN) and doctorate nursing degrees (PhD). GradSchools.com can help prospective nursing students find graduate programs and accredited schools by searching by specialty, degree level and program type.

 

Important Skills for people in a Nursing Graduate (MSN) Programs

Finding a Nursing Graduate School for Graduate Nursing Programs

The plethora of graduate nursing programs may seem daunting, however, you can refine your search to narrow down your choices is you search by location. Use the city, state or country tabs to determine whether the program you are looking for is offered nearby or whether relocation will be necessary.

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Graduate Nursing Degrees and Potential Career Advancement

Different graduate nursing degrees lead to different advanced nursing careers. The Master of Science in Nursing is usually taken for advancement to the independence and higher pay of a nurse practitioner. An MSN may also allow advancement in supervisory responsibilities or training and career progression in the information and records organizing field of nursing informatics. To advance in direct care or administration, lead a health care facility or advise public policy, nurses may choose to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Those who wish to contribute to nursing's body of knowledge and teach at the university level typically pursue a Ph.D.

Further considerations for Graduate Nursing Students

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (RNs) are in demand, with a projected employment growth of 16% between 2014 and 2024. Compare this with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who have at least a master’s degree. The projected employment growth is almost double over the same time frame, with a projected 31% rate of growth projected.

Nursing Graduate Programs - Certificates

By getting certified, nurses are able to add credibility and authentication to their skill set and can position themselves for due recognition. Review Nursing Certificate Graduate Programs such as Nurse-Midwifery-MSN and Companion DNP Programs or Post Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

Masters in Nursing Programs

Graduate Nursing degree programs include a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees, and BSN-MSN program options. A masters degree in nursing qualifies a nurse to advance into a number of jobs, including nurse practitioner, certified clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse anesthetist or certified nurse midwife. An MSN program may take 18 to 24 months to complete and often builds on the core foundation courses of a BSN degree program. These programs typically allow students to choose a concentration, such as gerontology or acute care. Review options such as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Case Management, Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader and Masters Degree in Nursing Programs.

PhD and DNP Nursing

A Ph.D. in Nursing is a research-intensive degree that confers the skills needed to teach and perform some forms of medical research. It can take six to eight years to complete a Ph.D. degree in nursing. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees may help nurses progress into direct care or administration, lead a health care facility or advise public policy. Students can also look into MSN-DNP tracks.

Use the city, state or country tabs to determine whether the program you are looking for is offered nearby or whether relocation will be necessary.

On-campus or Online Graduate Nursing Programs?

Once you have identified what type of graduate degree in nursing you are looking for, you can start to think about whether you are interested in pursuing your degree at a nursing graduate school or through an online nursing program. With the advances in educational technology, many nursing colleges offer both campus and online graduate nursing programs also referred to as nursing hybrid programs. There are pros and cons of each format that you should factor into your decision. Online learning often suits busy working nursing professionals, while campus programs offer onsite facilities and hands-on experience.

Sources: bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm | bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm

Next Steps to Finding Nursing Graduate Programs

Prospective graduate nursing students should consider what aspects of a degree program are most important to their career goals, and interests. Once you have chosen an accredited nursing school with your chosen graduate degree program, know that nursing is one profession where education is a criteria for senior positions, and opportunities abound for a potentially rewarding career.

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