What Are The Different Degrees In Nursing – View all blog posts under Articles | View all blog posts under Master of Health Administration | View all blog posts under Master of Science in Nursing
Times of need naturally put long-term concerns on the back burner. Yet in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there is no better time for individuals, communities and societies to begin preparing for the inevitable future health crisis. In particular, students considering a career in nursing need help sorting through the many types of nursing degrees, specialties, and opportunities.
What Are The Different Degrees In Nursing
For nurses and students who aspire to leadership roles in the field, the many different paths to a career in nursing or healthcare can be overwhelming. This guide will help students distinguish between the specialties of various nursing degree programs and certificates, including the Master of Science in Nursing and the Master of Health Administration. These and other nursing degrees and certificates prepare graduates for specific career paths, career opportunities, and salaries.
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After a student decides to pursue a career in nursing, the first question is: What field of study in nursing is right for me? The three categories of nurses that most people are familiar with are the licensed practical nurse (also known as the licensed vocational nurse), the registered nurse, and the advanced practice registered nurse, which is a category that includes nurse practitioners.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) typically complete a one-year training program that includes courses in anatomy, pharmacology, practical nursing, pediatric nursing, elder care, and motherhood.
Registered nurses can earn a two-year associate degree, a three-year diploma in nursing, or a four-year bachelor of science (BSN) degree. The RN curriculum covers topics such as pediatric and older adult care, dose calculation, nursing informatics, health assessment, and community health nursing.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) typically earn a Master of Science (MSN) degree after gaining one to three years of practical nursing experience. Many earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are APRNs, although not all APRNs are NPs. The NP curriculum includes courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced clinical pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and community nursing. Nurse administrator courses include nursing leadership concepts, nursing informatics, nursing theory, and research for evidence-based practice.
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Within these three broad categories of nurses are dozens of nursing specialties that cover all areas and aspects of health care.
Staff nurses are also called bedside nurses. They work directly with patients in all nursing units and perform a variety of tasks including dispensing medications. Some nurses work as general nurses, while others specialize in an area of care.
Head nurses and shift managers perform the duties of shift nurses and also manage nursing shifts, including planning and managing nursing schedules.
Nurse managers and nurse managers are responsible for patient care and the efficient round-the-clock operation of one or more nursing units. They oversee planning, establish and manage budgets, and work with physicians and other staff to coordinate unit operations.
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Advanced practice registered nurses have earned an MSN or DNP degree. Some manage teams of nursing staff members, and others become nurse anesthetists, midwives, certified nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists.
Nurses specialize in areas such as adult geriatrics, pediatrics, family, mental health, and women’s health. Among other things, they diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, and order and interpret diagnostic tests.
Directors of Nursing lead the administration of one or more nursing departments. They have earned at least a master’s degree and often a DNP degree. Many specialize in specific departments such as oncology or mental health. They are responsible for the department budget and all clinical services.
Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) or Chief Nursing Directors (CNEs) are the highest positions in nursing. They report directly to the organization’s chief executive officer (CEO), are charged with strategic planning, and oversee all administrative nursing positions. They typically have years of nursing experience and at least an MSN degree.
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The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) describes the three most common paths to earning an MSN degree:
Entry-level MSN degrees are designed for those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a non-medical discipline. Also called the normal or accelerated program; The undergraduate curriculum and RN certification are completed in the first year.
RN through MSN degrees are for nurses who have an associate’s degree. Depending on the study program, Bachelor’s study program subjects are taught in the first or second year.
Bachelor nurses through MSN degrees build on those competencies in their bachelor’s degree in nursing, allowing students to focus on specific areas of health care.
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Major healthcare roles held by MSN graduates include clinical nurse managers, nurse administrators, nurse educators, public health nurses, and nurse informaticists.
Increasing the number of nurses earning the DNP degree is considered critical to addressing the critical shortage of nurse educators, advanced clinicians, and nurse leaders. Nurses with DNP degrees work to improve patient outcomes by translating research advances into clinical practice.
A DNP degree is viewed as a practice-oriented graduate degree for nurses, while a PhD in nursing is generally considered a research-oriented doctoral degree for nurses. According to the AACN, DNP programs aim to prepare graduates for advanced nursing practice in many different specialties. To qualify for the BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP programs, RNs must be prepared to diagnose and manage acute and chronic illnesses, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform minor procedures.
The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) states that a master’s degree is “an essential first step to an executive or managerial career in most healthcare organizations.” A Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree teaches the business and management skills needed to succeed in a variety of leadership positions in the healthcare industry.
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MHA programs differ from Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs in that they emphasize the business aspects of health care management; MPA programs focus on health-related science and research topics. MHA graduates typically lead teams of healthcare professionals. Key skills for this role include leadership, communication and decision making.
. A major benefit of earning an MSN degree is the opportunity to learn advanced skills that increase job opportunities, leadership roles, and career and salary potential.
Balance Careers states that RNs who have earned a three-year nursing degree or associate degree can apply for a BSN or MSN degree program. RNs typically specialize in one area of clinical practice, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, cardiology, or obstetrics. These are among the NP specialties pursued by MSN graduates:
Acute care AGNPs treat patients with complex acute conditions that are typically treated in ICU, trauma, or intensive care units, as defined by the AANP.
Nursing Career Paths [infographic]
According to the AANP, primary care AGNPs diagnose and manage acute and chronic health conditions for their patients with an emphasis on prevention and healthy lifestyles. They typically work in clinical settings where they order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and work with other healthcare professionals to manage the needs of their patients.
Adult geriatric nurses have the skills and training to treat and prevent age-related diseases, including arthritis, memory loss, and metabolic syndrome. AGNPs counsel their patients on healthy lifestyle habits, conduct health risk assessments, and administer immunizations and screening tests. Typical work settings for AGNPs include community clinics and inpatient facilities, as well as private practice, as The Gypsy Nurse explains. They emphasize disease prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.
In contrast, adult acute care gerontology nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) serve the advanced nursing care needs of adults, older adults, and older patients who have acute, chronic, and chronic illnesses. This differs from AGNPs, who provide primary care to promote healthy practices and preventive measures. AGACNPs often work in clinics, hospitals and recovery centers where they offer advanced nursing care to treat acute conditions in their patients.
Family nurses serve the health care needs of infants, children, adults, and the elderly. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) describes the many responsibilities of an FNP, including performing physical examinations, prescribing medications, maintaining patient records, and developing treatment plans. FNPs are trained to treat all acute and chronic illnesses, conditions and injuries that fall under primary care.
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Family nurses provide primary care in hospitals, other community health centers, private practices, universities, and health care systems. According to Payscale data as of March 2020, the median annual salary for an FNP is approximately $94,000.
Pediatric nurses care for children from birth through adolescence. They apply their experience and skills in pediatric care to provide quality pediatric care and address acute and chronic illnesses and conditions in children.
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners highlights a critical shortage of PNPs in the coming years. There are currently fewer than 50,000 primary care pediatricians in the US, too few to meet the “increasing demands and complex needs of children” who make up about 25% of the population. Deficits are particularly acute in underserved and rural areas.
Primary care PNPs are trained to meet the physical and psychological needs of their young patients and to promote and maintain their health. Acute care PNPs work in interdisciplinary teams on planning and implementation