Graduate Nursing Programs Allow for Specialization

1Graduate Nursing Programs Allow for Specialization Graduate Nursing Programs Allow for SpecializationNurses with advanced degrees qualify for specialized areas of practice. In addition to the rewards and challenges of an advanced career, these professionals are enjoying significantly higher income. With a demand for nurses in every area from Law to Research, colleges and university are designing Master's and Doctoral degrees to prepare RNs for these professions.Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) A master of science in nursing degree is an 18 - 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 careers, 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 entrance in to a graduate program include a BSN, RN licensure, minimum GPA and/or graduate entrance exam scores and some prior clinical experience.RN-to-MSN Degree Program This program is an ADN to BSN to MSN program. It is designed specifically for RNs with associate's degree whose intend to go directly into a master's program after the complete their BSN. It is designed so that candidates have as much advanced placement credit for the BSN as possible and as little overlap between the 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 coursework before moving into graduate nursing courses. They will be preparing for the nurse licensure exam (NYCLEX) at the same time they are completing requirements for the MSN. Direct Entry MSN programs typically take three years to complete, with the first year devoted to undergraduate nurse training. As with the undergraduate non nursing degree program, there is an Accelerated MSN that takes only two academic years to complete. Students must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA to qualify for consideration to the Accelerated MSN program.Post-Master's Certificate Nursing Education Programs Professional Certification is offered in more than 30 areas of clinical specialty. 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 that you can take to prove 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 almost 30 areas. Certifications show that the nurse has a commitment to excellence in their field, and can give them a leg up on career advancement.Non-Degree Studies Nursing Education Programs Also known as "Extended Studies" or "Non-Matriculated Studies," non degree programs allow nurses to study specialty areas without seeking an advanced degree.Doctorate Nursing Education Programs Nurses with doctoral degrees are expected to have tremendous job demand over the next ten years. These programs prepare nurses for careers in health administration, clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. The programs take from 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 in leadership skills. Beyond that, nurses can match their degree training and research with the specialty area of which they are most interested.Doctor of Nursing Education Programs (ND) ND programs usually 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, usually requiring 3 years of full-time study. DNP programs prepare graduates for leadership positions in research, clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and system management.Doctor of 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 care economics, and informatics.Doctor of Philosophy Programs PhD programs prepare nurse scholars and researchers who will contribute the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery. Graduates are trained to be teachers, theorists and researchers.MSN/PhD Dual Nursing Education Degree 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 offering master's preparation and advanced research training at the doctoral level. It usually takes five years to complete and is sometime offered to students with non nursing undergraduate degrees. There are also Accelerated BSN to PhD Education degree programs.