Reasons for an RN to Obtain a Master's Degree
Registered nurses are health care professionals who work under the supervision of a doctor or physician's assistant, doing things such as administering medication, performing diagnostic tests and responding during life-threatening medical emergencies. RNs most frequently have a bachelor's degree. However, some choose to pursue a master's degree.
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Specialization
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Nurses who want to specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as research or advanced neonatal care, can do so by getting a master's degree. This ensures that they are prepared to compete for jobs in their areas of choice. A master's can also help them earn higher salaries while working in these specializations.
Prestige
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RNs who achieve a master's degree are called Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). They can not only perform more tasks usually performed by doctors, but they also get additional credentials after their names. For instance, an RN whose master's degree work specialized in anesthesiology is called a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and a nurse whose master's degree specializes in neonatal care is called a certified nurse midwife (CNM).
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Advancement
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Nurses with a master's degree also have an advantage when it comes to competing for higher-level positions such as director of a nursing unit, which pay more. For this reason, students earning a master's in nursing often also choose to pursue a joint degree in a field like business administration, hospital administration or public health. Even those who choose not to pursue such jobs can earn more doing the same job as an RN who has only a bachelor's degree.
Requirements
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A master of science in nursing (MSN) can take anywhere between 18 and 24 months to finish. This is a big time commitment, especially for RNs who are currently working in the nursing profession full time. Most such programs also require that students come with a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) as well as an RN license, an acceptable undergraduate grade point average and a passing Graduate Record Examination score. Some programs also require clinical experience. Some institutions offer MSN degrees for individuals who hold bachelor's degrees in areas other than nursing, although these usually take about three years to complete.
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References
- Photo Credit nurse on duty image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
