You will eventually want to advance your career, whether you’re a nurse with a lot of experience or if you’re just starting out. You will then have to decide whether you want to pursue an advanced nursing degree. There is confusion about the best degree program due to a large number of options. It is difficult for many registered nurses to know the differences between an MSN and a DNP and choose the best one for their careers. Registered nurses need to know the differences between the main degrees programs because they cost money and time. This guide will help registered nurses to understand the differences between advanced nursing degrees, and how they can further their career.
What is an Advanced Nursing degree?
Registered nurses can earn an advanced nursing degree, which will deepen their nursing knowledge. These degrees can help prepare nurses for roles at higher levels in the nursing field and open doors for RNs. Registered nurses who have an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s Degree are the best candidates for advanced nursing programs. Typically, they take anywhere from 15 months to 7 years to complete. After a registered nursing has earned an advanced degree in nursing, they can start their journey towards APRN.
Advanced practice Registered Nurses
A registered nurse with advanced practice (APRN), is one who has completed advanced education and received additional training in nursing. Registered nurses with postgraduate training, relevant experience and the appropriate licensure and certification can practice as either generalists or specialists. The career path that an APRN takes will determine their ability to provide care in different settings and to take important decisions on behalf of their patients.
Why should I continue my nursing education?
Nurses who wish to remain relevant in the healthcare and medical industries must be willing to learn throughout their lives. Continuously learning in your chosen field does not have to be a part of further education. A degree can help you gain the skills and knowledge needed for your job. Enrolling in a formal nursing degree program will help you keep up with the ever-changing technology and research in the nursing field. A qualification can also be a way for you to demonstrate to employers your level of training and education. A nursing degree will help you to get promoted, make you a more competent nurse and open up a wide range of career options.
There are many types of advanced nursing degrees
Registered nurses have three options for advanced degrees. There are three main advanced-level degrees that registered nurses can choose from: a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP), and a PhD in Nursing. The degree you choose will depend entirely on the direction your career is going to take. Each advanced degree has its own focus. A DNP places emphasis on leadership, management and statistical analysis, while an MSN focuses on medical skills. A PhD program is a good option for registered nurses who want to work in academia and research. Find out more about the three advanced degrees in nursing.
MSN
A nursing professional who has an ADN/BSN will typically pursue a master’s in nursing as the next step. It prepares nurses for roles in clinical, educational and administrative settings. MSN coursework focuses on advanced nursing, including medical, behavioral and social sciences. MSN students who have a more advanced nursing program and study topics that revolve around specialist subjects like healthcare policy can find unconventional nursing positions like nurse educator or consultant.
Become a Nurse Practitioner
MSN graduates may also choose to specialize in a particular field. Nurses can choose from a variety of MSN programs, including those that allow them to specialize in nurse practitioner fields such as neonatal, family health, mental health and psychiatric. Wilkes University, for example, offers an RN-to-MSN program to help RNs become nurse practitioners. This online program focuses on evidence-based practices and advanced clinical skills, giving RNs the opportunity to better care for patients. The program offers three concentrations: adult-gerontology, family and psychiatric/mental health.
DNP
A DNP is an advanced degree in nursing that prepares the student for executive careers, clinical and research positions. While some programs allow RNs with a BSN to earn a DNP, others require an MSN. DNP students have the same options as MSN graduates. A DNP can be used to change the direction of their nursing career. Students can expect to find data-driven practice and evidence-based practices in a DNP. They are also often required by the program to undertake a large research project. DNP graduates gain a better understanding of the healthcare system, how it affects the modern world and advances in nursing.
Leadership and Management Positions
DNP programs can help nurses lead their nursing teams confidently. Students can develop management skills through a DNP that will help them make difficult decisions. DNP students are prepared to assume leadership and management roles in nursing. DNP graduates may progress to becoming chief nursing officers (CNOs) in a healthcare facility, hospital or other medical institution. This non-clinical role includes managing, training and developing nursing staff, liaising and coordinating with department heads, purchasing equipment and budgeting.
PhD
A PhD is a doctoral degree in nursing, just like a DNP. A PhD is more focused on academic research than clinical practice. Some programs take around seven years to complete. This nursing degree is often chosen by registered nurses to pursue careers in research laboratories or educational institutions.
What is the right degree for me?
Registered nurses who wish to enhance their nursing knowledge while still maintaining a role of patient care in a clinical environment will benefit from obtaining an MSN or DNP. Both degrees are available to nurses who wish to move away from a traditional patient-facing role. With an MSN or a DNP an RN could apply for leadership positions within a clinical environment, such as a nurse administrator. RNs with relevant experience and a DNP can apply for important leadership positions, such as a director of nursing services or a director in the department of nursing. RNs interested in a career that involves research or teaching should consider a PhD. With a PhD, you can become a nurse-researcher or nurse educator. A PhD usually takes longer to achieve than an MSN.
Get More Money with an Advanced Degree
A higher degree will help you to earn more money in general, even though the amount you can earn depends on what job you end up doing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics an advanced practice registered nurses with at least a MSN can earn an average annual salary of $117.670, while a regular registered nurse can expect to make a lower average salary of $75,330. The 2019 Salary and Compensation Study for Nurse Leaders, conducted by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, shows that chief nurses with doctoral degrees earn an average of $300,000.
Positive Employment Outlook
Nurses with advanced degrees can benefit from a higher salary, and they have a good employment outlook. The growth rate of advanced nurses between 2019 and 2029 is 45 percent. This is much higher than the average for the United States. U.S. News and World Report also shows that a nurse’s role is the second-best job in the healthcare industry and the third-best job overall.
The demand for advanced practice nurses is growing
Research shows that nurses play a vital role in the medical and healthcare industry. The correct number of nursing staff in a workplace can have a major impact on patient care. If the ratio is incorrect, it can negatively affect patient safety and outcomes. The United States is experiencing a shortage of nurses. According to supply and demand projections, the nursing workforce will be severely understaffed by 2030. According to studies, by 2030 there will be a need for over one million nurses.
Physician Shortage Projected
Statista predicts that the United States will have a shortage of 121 300 physicians by 2030. A growing number of Americans are looking for primary healthcare and preventative services. Advanced practice nurses will be needed to alleviate the problem created by the shortage. They also help make healthcare more affordable for more people. Nurse practitioners with certification who are able to provide comprehensive care will be in high demand. Some advanced practice nurses can provide the same care as doctors to their patients, and they can also give counseling and promote good health. Nurses with advanced training are able to provide better care for their patients, improving their overall satisfaction and wellbeing. The holistic approach of an advanced practitioner nurse can also benefit patients.
Job Autonomy
Nurse practitioners who have a specialist degree, the appropriate certification and license, and a higher-level education can provide primary and preventative care to patients independently. In some states nurse practitioners are allowed to work independently. They can work without the supervision from a doctor and make important decisions about their patients’ healthcare. They are the first choice of health providers for many Americans because they have the freedom to work in independent clinics. Nurse practitioners who are able to practice fully can diagnose, treat and manage patients. They can also provide support and advice for healthcare and help prevent illness and disease.
Stay Competitive
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses’ (AACN) research, approximately 64,2 percent of registered nurse have a BSN or an MSN. They also hold a DNP or PhD. The qualification you decide to pursue will be determined by your career path. However, reputable institutions such as the AACN have endorsed a DNP degree over an MSN. You can find many reasons to continue your nursing education. Staying competitive and adding a qualification to your resume is an important benefit for many nurses.
High-level expertise to deliver better care
Registered nurses have a major impact on the medical and healthcare system. They are also integral to patient care. RNs that are satisfied with their current job and want to excel in it can benefit from a nursing degree. A nursing degree can help you improve your knowledge of the fundamentals and add new skills and techniques to what you already know. Adding new knowledge to your repertoire can keep you motivated and interested in your work, increasing your productivity. Gaining an advanced nursing diploma can improve your skills as a nurse and allow you to better care for patients.
