Advanced degrees in nursing may be an issue for anybody considering a career in the industry, whether they are currently working as a nurse or are still in school.
Nurses in particular may ponder if a bachelor’s or master’s degree program is ideal for them.
Admission standards, course content, and career paths are all diverse, as are the responsibilities that each program prepares students to play.
In order to make an informed decision about which degree program is right for them, nurses and those interested in becoming nurses should research their educational alternatives.
Development of One’s Nursing Profession
These days, bachelor’s degree programs in nursing are becoming increasingly popular for those who want to become registered nurses (RNs).
Nursing leadership and managerial positions may frequently be achieved through these programs, which go beyond the basics of nursing education.
To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), a student must first complete a master’s degree in nursing, which can lead to certification (APRN).
There are numerous states where advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are licensed to prescribe drugs and arrange diagnostic tests as well as diagnose and treat medical disorders.
As a nurse, continuing education can range from merely keeping your license to taking on a more advanced position as an independent supplier of specialized health care services, depending on your career goals.
Nurses with more advanced education are connected to improved patient outcomes, according to research.
Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an advanced degree in and of itself, according to some people’s criteria.
As published in the journal Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 60 percent of newly licensed registered nurses hold an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma.
Early-career nurses and those who return to school via an RN to BSN program are already ahead of the game.
There are two more years of schooling required for BSN holders compared to those who pursue an ADN degree.
BSN students are required to complete courses in research, leadership, and public health that are not normally offered in ADN degrees.
Nursing aspirants pursuing a BSN degree must, like their ADN counterparts, complete prerequisite courses in such fundamentals as microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry (BLS).
Additionally, clinical experience is a requirement of BSN degree programs, and bachelor’s programs frequently offer more diversified environments in which to get that experience than associate’s degree programs to do.
Candidates for the profession of the registered nurse are well-served by a BSN degree. There are a few notable differences between this degree path and other ADN and diploma programs.
Nursing directors make an average of $81,476, according to U.S. News & World Report, while registered nurse supervisors make an average of $70,329 a year.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
An MSN degree is an option for experienced, licensed registered nurses who want to develop in their professions.
Pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology, as well as medical specialties such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and cancer, are taught to graduate students in nursing by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
After earning an MSN degree, students can begin the process of becoming licensed and obtaining any necessary certifications.
APRNs come in a variety of forms. There are many nurses that hold advanced degrees and are able to practice medicine much like doctors, which makes up a large portion of the APRN workforce.
Nurse practitioners operate in a wide range of medical disciplines, including general medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry.
Nurse anesthetists are another sort of APRN that are educated to give anesthesia for surgical operations and pain management.
Obstetric and gynecological care is provided by certified nurse midwives, commonly known as APRNs.
For the most part, MSN programs require a BSN as a prerequisite for admission. However, bridge programs are available for RNs with only an associate’s or diploma.
There are additional doctorate programs, such as the Ph.D. in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice, in addition to MSN degrees (DNP).
There are several benefits to earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Nurse practitioners make an average of $100,910 per year, while nurse anesthetists make an average of$160,270.
The BLS estimates that nurse-midwives make $99,770 on average per year. Job prospects for all APRN positions are excellent, regardless of specialty or location.
Over the next decade, job prospects for nurse anesthetists are expected to rise by 16 percent, far more than the seven percent growth forecast for all occupations. Job growth for nurse midwives is predicted to be at a pace of 21%.
The highest rise in career prospects will be for nurse practitioners, who will witness a 36% increase in employment possibilities. Nearly 56,100 additional roles for nurse practitioners are likely to open up within only the next decade.
Coursework is comparable in both degrees, although students prepare for more advanced positions in both.
The most significant distinctions are in the level of study and the positions that students are prepared to play in the nursing profession as a result.
