Graduate Programs in Nursing Allowed for Specialization
Graduate Programs in Nursing Allowed for Specialization
Nurses with advanced degrees qualify for specialized areas of practice. In addition to the rewards and challenges of an advanced career, these professionals enjoy significantly higher earnings. With a demand for nurses in all areas, from law to research, colleges and universities are designing master’s and doctoral degrees to prepare RNs for these professions.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A master of science degree in nursing is an 18- to 24-month nursing program that allows a nurse to specialize in a particular area, such as an area of advanced clinical training or research. For some majors, students complete joint degrees in related fields, such as business, public health, or hospital administration. Some of the clinical specialty areas include nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist. While requirements vary between schools, typical requirements for entry into a graduate program include a BSN, an RN license, a minimum GPA and/or graduate entrance exam scores, and some prior clinical experience.
RN to MSN Degree Program
This program is a DNA to BSN to MSN program. It is designed specifically for RNs with an associate degree who intend to enter directly into a master’s program after completing their BSN. It is designed so that candidates have the most advanced placement credits for the BSN and the least overlap between BSN and MSN courses.
Direct Entry MSN Degree Program
Direct entry MSN programs, sometimes called “graduate entry” or “master’s entry” programs, are for students with non-nursing undergraduate degrees who want to earn their RN through a master’s degree program. These nursing students complete an abbreviated undergraduate nursing course before moving on to graduate nursing courses. They will prepare for the Nursing Licensure Examination (NYCLEX) while completing the requirements for the MSN. Direct entry MSN programs typically take three years to complete, with the first year devoted to undergraduate nursing education. As with the non-nursing undergraduate program, there is an accelerated MSN that takes just two academic years to complete. Students must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA to qualify to be considered for the accelerated MSN program.
Post-Master’s Certificate Nursing Education Programs
Professional Certification is offered in more than 30 clinical specialty areas. The exams for these certificates are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Professional certifications are specialized exams you can take to demonstrate your expertise in a specific field, beyond the skills required for an RN license. The exams are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Association (ANCC). The ANCC offers generalist, advanced practice, and clinical specialist exams in nearly 30 areas. Certifications show that the nurse has a commitment to excellence in her field and can help advance her career.
Nursing education programs without degrees
Also known as “Extended Study” or “Non-Matriculated Study”, non-degree programs allow nurses to study specialty areas without pursuing an advanced degree.
Doctoral Programs in Nursing Education
Nurses with doctoral degrees are expected to be in high demand for work in the next ten years. These programs prepare nurses for careers in health administration, clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. Programs take four to six years to complete and include training in research methods (including statistics and data analysis), the history and philosophy of nursing science, and leadership skills. Beyond that, nurses can combine their undergraduate training and research with the specialty area that most interests them.
Doctorate in Nursing Education Programs (ND)
ND programs generally require 3-5 years of full-time study. ND programs focus on advanced practice specialties and evidence-based research.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs (DNP)
This is an emerging doctoral program, typically requiring 3 years of full-time study. DNP programs prepare graduates for leadership positions in research, clinical care delivery, patient outcomes, and systems management.
Doctorate in Nursing Science Programs (DNSc)
Graduates of a DNSc program are the nurse scientists who can, through research and clinical leadership, influence the health care system. DNSc graduates are also analysts who will find jobs in health economics and computing.
Doctor of Philosophy Programs
Doctoral programs prepare academic and research nurses who will contribute to the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery. Graduates are trained to be teachers, theorists and researchers.
MSN/PhD Double Degree in Nursing
The MSN/PhD dual degree program is for highly qualified nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The MSN/PhD is an intensive, accelerated program that simultaneously offers preparation for a master’s degree and advanced research training at the doctoral level. It typically takes five years to complete and is sometimes offered to students with non-nursing undergraduate degrees. There are also accelerated programs from BSN to PhD Education.