Master's in Nursing Programs For Rewarding Careers in Nursing

Master's in Nursing Programs (By Scott H C)

That nursing is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling careers is now an undisputed fact. Thanks to the aging Baby Boomers, older nurses nearing retiring age, and a severe shortfall in the number of trained nurses, Registered Nurses or RNs are among the most in demand healthcare professionals.With an excellent job outlook that predicts 581,500 new jobs by 2018, many young people are gravitating toward this profession, and a lot of them make their entry with the basic, minimum qualification of a nursing diploma or an Associate's degree in nursing.

For them and many other Registered Nurses who begin their career at lower rungs of an organization's hierarchy, it's important to know that there is a whole world of advancement opportunities waiting to be explored if they just push the envelope a little. Once they have a strong footing in their present positions, all it will take is an advanced degree in nursing to set their careers soaring.

There are three Master's in Nursing programs that can help Registered Nurses reach the high echelons of a healthcare establishment. You can choose one depending on where your interest and abilities rest.Master of Science in Nursing: This program is best suited for RNs who want to remain in clinical care. With a Master's degree, RNs can move up to senior positions in a healthcare department that may involve leading a team of staff nurses.

A Master's in Nursing degree is also the minimum credential if an RN wants to move from basic nursing practice to advanced practice roles. Referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), they can choose from four specialization areas - clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners.A Master's degree is essential if RNs are to make clinical decisions on their own, which many of the senior-level nurses and advanced practice nurses are required to do as part of their jobs.

Master's in Nursing Administration: This Master's in Nursing program is for RNs who are interested in moving to management and administrative roles within a healthcare unit. The program prepares Registered Nurses to manage personnel as well as the healthcare delivery system in a particular unit.
For administrative and management-level roles, RNs need to demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills, leadership qualities, and good judgment apart from sound clinical ability.

RNs in management roles can reach the levels of assistant director, director, vice president, or chief of nursing.
Master of Science in Nursing Education: The nursing education degree is meant for Registered Nurses who want to become nurse educators and teach other RNs and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at various levels.

A Master's in Nursing Education is required to teach Bachelor-level courses, while a doctoral degree is considered mandatory for teaching Master's-level courses in nursing. Besides teaching, the other important duties of a nurse educator include designing and implementing the course curriculum, assessing students' progress, and mentoring and preparing them for practice.