Online Master's Degree Programs in Nursing
Online master's degrees in nursing offer the skills and training to allow you to explore careers in advanced practice nursing, health care administration and education.
Choosing online master's degrees in nursing
Online Master of Science, or MSN, programs may focus on leadership or teaching skills. Some schools have customized "bridge" programs that offer an accelerated option for registered nurses seeking master's degrees in nursing.
Those interested in advanced practice nursing can choose from disciplines such as these:
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse anesthetist
- Nurse midwife
- Nurse practitioner
Due to the increasing complexity of patient care, advanced nursing practice qualifications are being revised to require a doctorate rather than a master's degree, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, or AACN.
Coursework for nursing degrees online
Most online master's degrees in nursing share a list of core courses, such as advanced health assessment, biomedical ethics and health policy. Specialized courses follow the lines of the chosen discipline, for example:
- Aspiring teachers study curriculum design and pedagogy
- Nurse midwives concentrate on reproductive, postpartum and newborn care
- Nurse practitioners take primary care courses
- RN to MSN programs could cover clinical subjects such as pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Students interested in administration explore business planning and health systems management
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment opportunities for RNs will grow faster than average between 2008 and 2018, and the AACN describes shortages of nursing personnel. Online master's degrees in nursing are a step toward emerging positions in management, clinical practice or education.
