To earn a master's degree in nursing, you must attend schooling through an accredited college or university. Having a master's degree in nursing gives you the skills, educational background and training to become successful in the nursing field. It also allows you the option to branch out into more advanced fields of professional nursing where you can use your skills and specialize in different areas of nursing.
Types
Once you have graduated from a master's degree nursing program, you are referred to as an APN, or advanced practice nurse. At this point, you can branch out and specialize in practice areas such as a nurse-practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and a certified nurse midwife (CNM).
Nurses with a master's degree can also immediately go into any general practice of their choosing and may not choose the additional training in a specialized area. The only difference is they will not have the credentials to perform more specialized nursing procedures.
Function
Nurse-practitioners often work under the supervision of a physician, although they can write prescriptions and order laboratory and diagnostic tests for patients. Sometimes they work independently but are often associated with a physician and take over when the physician is away from the office.
A clinical nurse specialist specializes in a certain area only, such as hospice, cardiology, neonatal or oncology. Part of a CNS's duties include team management, clinical work, researching and teaching. A CNS is often found in a management or supervisory position over other RNs and clinical staff.
A certified nurse anesthetist administers a patient's anesthesia during an operation or medical procedure. He answers a patient's questions, provides education, prepares the patient for anesthesia and monitors the patient during and after the procedure.
A certified nurse midwife specializes in educating pregnant moms on natural births, pregnancy and the birthing process. She is there during the delivery and is certified to administer drugs if needed and perform emergency medical procedures if necessary.
Specialty Practice
Having a master's degree allows you to branch out into specialty practice and work in the field of your choice. Aside of being an APN, you can choose a specialty or certification. Examples of some of the certified credentials include pediatric clinical nurse specialist (PCNS); pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP); trauma nurse specialist (TNS); wound, ostomy, continence nurse (WOCN); neonatal intensive care nurse (NIC); and certified nutrition support nurse (CNSN).
Time Frame
The Master of Science in Nursing program generally takes 18 to 24 months for a full-time student to complete. This includes taking the courses to specialize as an APN. To get a master's degree, you must first earn a bachelor's degree and then complete a certain amount of clinical experience before specializing in a field and obtaining your master's degree. You must also keep your GPA and GRE scores above a certain level to stay in the program and eventually graduate.
Benefits
Nursing is a hands-on career, and it is also a helping career. Being able to help and assist those in need is what gives most nurses the satisfaction. Nurses who have advanced specialties and pursue their careers are generally the most financially successful of all nursing groups because of the higher pay scale.
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