Masters degrees in nursing require an undergraduate degree for entry, usually take 18 to 24 months to complete and are the mark of nurses interested in being highly specialized in the field. Only masters trained nursing can gain entry into doctoral programs to conduct research at the highest level of the nursing profession.
Core courses vary by university and usually include nursing research, theory, concepts, leadership, communication and those focused on a specialization.
Masters Nursing Programs Offer Highly Specialized Training
Students should seek programs that focus graduates on career advancement and job placement. Talk to graduates of a masters in nursing program being considered to find out the value in the job market for a graduate degree from that university.
The job outlook for master's educated nurses is very positive. For example, Allied Physicians reports that master’s level nurses earn an average of $15,000 more annually than nurses holding an undergraduate degree.
The increased earnings resulting from graduate education in nursing is also noted by payscale.com. It lists job titles typically requiring a masters degree in nursing with salary ranges:
- Family Nursing Practitioner, $66,226 to $81,947
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, $69,403 to $87,476
- Nurse Practitioner, $71,477 to $84,586
- Director, Nursing, $77,419 to $109,248
- Cardiovascular Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, $70,857 to $88,408
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, $62,836 to $79,138
- Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner, $65,646 to $81,280
What universities offer the best masters programs in nursing? The value of an advanced degree is an important consideration for graduate students. Careers can be built on the reputation of the university where a graduate degree is earned. At the same time, working nurses wanting to earn a masters degree may need the flexibility of an online graduate nursing program or one closest to home.
Graduate Training in Nursing Found at Medical Research Universities
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing offers a wide range of advanced nursing degrees, perhaps the largest in scope across the United States. For example, the university provides at least 10 specialized nurse practitioner masters programs including pediatric oncology, neonatal and family health.
The University of Pennsylvania also offers advanced practice specialist programs in such areas as adult health and nurse-midwifery.
In Canada, research universities with medical schools typically offer graduate training in nursing. McMaster University, for example, offers a masters of science that can be earned by writing a thesis or completing courses. McMaster provides masters training specialized in five fields and a graduate diploma in Advanced Neonatal Nursing.
Nurses with masters degrees face an even better job outlook than those with undergraduate degrees. This specialized university training allows graduate degree holders a broader array of career prospects in advanced nursing practice, leadership and provides the opportunity for a career in research and higher education.
Shelley Aylesworth-Spink - Shelley Aylesworth-Spink has worked in support of communications, marketing and advertising for nearly 25 years in the private and public ...
