What Should I Know Before Getting My Master’s in Nursing?

Master's Degree in Nursing
While there are a plethora of career options that aspiring individuals can pursue in the 21st century, opting to work within the field of nursing can be particularly rewarding. This is the case for several reasons, including the fact that technological advancements have made the world of nursing an exciting and economically lucrative field. Many individuals who opt to work within the field of nursing think about obtaining a master’s degree in order to advance their careers. Before you begin this educational process, keep the information listed below in mind.

What Can I Do With A Master’s in Nursing?

Perhaps one of the most important things for you to know when you decide to pursue a Master’s in Nursing is what you can do with it. There are a variety of careers that one can pursue upon attaining the degree. Some of them are critical care nurse, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse anesthetist. One of the first things you must decide upon is your specialty. Honing in on your career interests and strengths will help you choose wisely.

From there, you can begin to look at programs that are suitable for your specialty. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing acknowledges that this can be tricky. Some schools have a great overall program but may be weak in the specialty you are pursuing. Others may be rated less overall but are strong in one specialty. It is best to choose a program that has strong faculty in the area you are pursuing.

Coursework For Your Master’s In Nursing

While coursework will differ based on the program you enroll in, some of the classes you can expect to see will be:

• Evidence-based Clinical Practice
• Population Health
• Leadership in Health Studies
• Health Economics
• Statistics
• Health Policy

Once your clinical practice begins, the courses will be more specific to the area of your specialty. For example, someone seeking to become a nurse midwife will have classes in maternity/newborn and women’s health nursing.

Program Length

Another thing you should take into consideration when thinking about obtaining your Master’s in Nursing is how long the program will take to complete. This answer will be contingent upon the school you attend and whether you are a full-time or part-time student. On average, it will take anywhere from 1 to 2 years to complete the program.

Costs

Prices for obtaining a Master’s in Nursing are dependent upon the educational institution you choose. For example, tuition and mandatory fees for a graduate nursing and health studies program at Georgetown University totals $46,740. Costs will be lower for less prestigious schools, and prospective students must determine what their objective is in selecting one educational institution over another.

Forms Of Study

As a result of technological advancements, individuals who opt to pursue a Master’s in Nursing have the opportunity to study online. In her article “Weighing Costs of an Online Master’s in Nursing,” Kelsey Sheehy notes that “Investing in an online Master’s of Nursing degree can cost anywhere from $35,000 to more than $60,000 in tuition and fees depending on the school and degree focus.” These costs may be more economical than traditional learning options depending upon the specific educational institution’s tuition. Additionally, it is important to note that obtaining a Master’s in Nursing online could save time and money because one does not have to drive to class or be in a physical classroom on specific days.

If you are thinking about pursing a Master’s in Nursing, you should know that this decision could be both personally and professionally rewarding. By reviewing the information listed above, you can decide whether doing so would be the appropriate educational path for you.