Complete List of the Best Online MSN Programs
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How Can a Master of Science in Nursing Change My Nursing Career?
A Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN) is a graduate-level degree that will give you the credentials you need to work in health care administration, nursing education, or to become an advanced practice nurse. If you are interested in taking your career to the next level, earning a master’s degree in nursing is the way to do it. The nursing career opportunities available to MSN graduates are in high demand and offer a substantially larger salary than the opportunities available to nurses with only a bachelor’s degree.
What is the Focus of an MSN Curriculum?
A Master of Science in Nursing curriculum generally covers advanced topics on nursing theory, health care policy, nursing ethics, pathophysiology, pharmacology, patient care quality and safety, health care management, and research. Specific program courses vary depending on the college you attend.
The purpose and goal of the MSN curriculum is to prepare students for an advanced career in nursing practice. Those who complete the curriculum should be able to use their new knowledge to positively influence the advancement of the nursing profession through better education, health policy, and patient care.
If you are interested in becoming a nursing school educator or an advanced practice nurse, your MSN curriculum will include additional courses and training that are specific to these nursing career routes.
Can I Continue Working as a Nurse and Attend Graduate School at the Same Time?
It may seem impossible, but it can be done. In fact, many nurses complete a full-time Master of Science in Nursing program while working full-time. This is because most colleges and universities teach a majority of their MSN curriculum through online classes, giving students the flexibility and convenience they need to continue working while attending school.
However, if you are pursuing an advanced practice nurse master’s degree program, most schools recommend that you either attend school part-time while working full-time or attend school full-time and stop working. There are some advanced practice programs (like nurse anesthesia) that do not permit you to work while in school due to the intensiveness of the curriculum.
Whether you can work or not while attending graduate school really depends on your personal ability and the particular MSN program you are pursuing (nursing administration, advanced practice, or education). It is best to discuss this probability with your college’s admissions department, as they often have statistics on how many students in the past were able to complete the program while working.
Do I Need Clinical Experience for Admission to an MSN Program?
Yes, prior clinical experience is necessary for admission. In order to be eligible for admission to a Master of Science in Nursing program, you must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) from an accredited college or university. All BSN students must take part in, and successfully complete, several clinical rotations before graduation. Therefore, if you have a BSN degree, you have clinical experience, and you are eligible for admission to an MSN program.
Although completion of a BSN program provides you with clinical experience, many MSN programs require additional clinical work experience. This is especially true for those who are interested in becoming advanced practice nurses.
The required amount of additional clinical work experience varies depending on the program. The average time looks to be around one year but can be more. Some schools will allow you to earn that clinical experience while you complete your core curriculum requirements. To find out how much clinical experience is required to complete a specific MSN program, contact the college’s admission department.
How Long Until I Graduate with My Master’s Degree?
Those who attend the MSN program full-time typically graduate within one to two years, depending on the specific nursing career they choose to pursue. It will take part-time MSN students anywhere from two to three years to complete the program.
If you are interested in pursuing more than one advanced nursing role (educator, health care administrator, or advanced practice nursing), you will need to complete additional courses for a post-master’s certificate. These courses are taken after you have completed your master’s degree and generally take one year to complete on a part-time schedule.
Can I Get Student Aid For My Online College Tuition?
With the exception of federal grants, both federally and privately funded student aid is available to all graduate-level students. To see if you qualify for federal student loans, fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as you apply for admission to an MSN program.
If you need more assistance paying for school, seek out scholarships or fellowships to apply for. Many colleges award merit-based scholarships to their students, which often cover the full cost of tuition. Ask you school’s financial aid office about these scholarship opportunities.
For information on other available scholarships, use free scholarship search websites like fastweb.com . The U.S. Department of Education also provides a free online scholarship search.
If you are currently working as a nurse for a major hospital or health care organization, ask your human resources department about any tuition payback programs. These programs require you to sign a contract stating that you will work for the organization for a certain number of years in exchange for the organization paying your full tuition. If you break this contract, you will be required to pay back the full tuition amount.
What are the Differences Between an Advanced Practice Nurse, a Nurse Administrator, and a Nurse Educator?
An advanced practice nurse has the credentials and knowledge necessary to diagnose and treat both physical and mental conditions and perform many other advanced medical tasks, depending on their specialty. For example, nurse practitioners often have their own specialty practices (family practice, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc.) and serve as their patients’ primary health care provider. They are authorized to prescribe most medications and can order and interpret diagnostic tests. Other advanced practice nurse roles include nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives.
Nurse administrators (or nurse managers) work for any organization that employs registered nurses. A nurse administrator can be a management leader for one or all nursing units within an organization. All budgeting, staffing, and directing of day-to-day operations are performed by a nurse administrator.
A nurse educator teaches nursing practices to students who are preparing to become licensed practical nurses (LPN) or registered nurses (RN). Nurse educators with master’s degrees can only teach at the associate and undergraduate level. Those educators who are interested in teaching at the graduate level must complete a doctorate degree.
Will My Salary Increase if I Have a Master’s Degree?
Yes, it will. However, the amount of increase will depend on the career path you choose. The average annual salary for an experienced nurse practitioner (NP) is $85,000. For nurse administrators, the average annual salary is around $80,000. The average annual salary for a nurse educators is $65,000.