Many Choices for the Nursing Master of Science Degree

There are many choices when one decides to earn a Nursing Master of Science degree.  There are different areas of specialization that one can go into, for starters, and options such as post MSN certificates to further one’s education and increase career opportunities.  There are also different types of schools including state colleges, private institutions and universities with religious affiliations.  Many people choose to attend schools with religious affiliations where they are also required to learn about theology & ministry, even if they are not particularly religious themselves, simply because of the well-roundedness and high quality of the education.

The Nursing Master of Science is an advanced degree that comes after one has already earned a bachelor’s degree and completed a credentialing program to become a registered nurse.  For those who have the R.N. without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it is also necessary to take three courses in the writing/research inquiry process and RN to MSN transition process.  The curriculum combines instruction, research, and public service opportunities for nursing professionals.  All Nursing Master of Science students in a religious institution will typically take courses such as Theoretical Foundations and Nursing Research, Teaching Faithfully: Communicating with Adult Learners in a Diverse Society, Healthcare Issues, and Ethics and Politics from a Christian Perspective in addition to their core classes and thesis. 

In order to complete post MSN certificates, it is also necessary to complete courses including Advanced Assessment and Health Promotion Across the Lifespan, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Development of Educational Programs in Nursing, Nursing Education Role Practicum, Advanced Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Gerontological Nursing and/or Family Health Nursing.  Schools that require courses in theology & ministry may tend to instill more of an ethical and religion-based viewpoint in their coursework, but they must always adhere to strict standards to remain accredited just like any other university and will always use the latest scientific information and technology.

There are also post MSN certificates for nurse educators, which may also include courses in faith and philosophy in the course of training.  All nurses must also do a required amount of clinical work and research in addition to a thesis in order to earn any of these advanced graduate degrees.  There are many choices and many directions a nurse can go down; as long as he or she does so faithfully it is a boon for society.