If you’re a registered nurse (RN) looking to advance your career with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you should know that waive the requirement of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for entry into an MSN program. As such, the RN to MSN pathway is a popular route to earning your MSN as an RN.

RN to MSN programs are designed to meet the needs of working adults looking to advance their education and career opportunities. These programs may offer flexible scheduling options, such as fully online coursework or an accelerated plan to degree completion.

RN to MSN programs typically provide nursing specializations that allow RNs to tailor their studies to areas that interest them. At WCU, specializations include:

��� Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
��� Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
��� Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
���
��� Nurse Leader
��� Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Why Should You Earn an MSN Degree?

Beyond leadership opportunities, registered nurses who hold an MSN may gain benefits that set them apart in the job market. Recent research from the shows a correlation between higher nurse education and improved patient outcomes.

An MSN helps equip nurses with advanced skills that allow them to expand their scope of practice. MSN programs also further emphasize patient advocacy, policy involvement, and networking ��� all of which work holistically to enhance professional influence and career growth.

MSN vs. RN to MSN Programs: What’s the Difference?

Traditional MSN programs require a BSN for entry before pursuing graduate studies. In contrast,
RN to MSN programs are tailored for RNs with unencumbered licensure, allowing them to earn their MSN degree more quickly than if they were to complete a BSN program beforehand. RN to MSN programs also strategically integrate undergraduate coursework ��� sometimes called ���bridge courses��� ��� to help RNs transition smoothly into graduate coursework.

MSN programs also strategically integrate undergraduate coursework ��� sometimes called ���bridge courses��� ��� to help RNs transition smoothly into graduate coursework.

How Do I Decide if an RN to MSN Program Is Right for Me?

Deciding whether to pursue an RN to MSN program requires you to consider several factors.
Before making this important decision, consider the following:

• Career Goals: Determine if your career aspirations necessitate an MSN degree. If you see yourself leading a healthcare team, a graduate nursing program can put you on this path.
• Educational Requirements: Ensure the program meets your state���s criteria for advanced nursing roles, even if you currently hold an unencumbered RN license.
• Time Commitment: Assess whether you can balance being enrolled in a nursing program with your existing responsibilities. An online RN to MSN program is designed to accommodate busy lifestyles so you can work while earning your degree.
• Program Fit: Research the accreditation status of prospective RN to MSN programs, program formats, curriculum relevance, and available support services to ensure an MSN program properly aligns with your learning style and career goals.
• Financial Considerations: Explore financial aid options or employer support to fund your education.

Because RN to MSN programs can take at least two years to complete, you must consider how an intensive program will impact your personal and professional life. Balancing work, study, and personal obligations can be challenging, so having a solid support system is crucial.

What You Should Expect in an RN to MSN Program

Earning your MSN can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities and leadership roles in nursing. RN to MSN programs offering nursing specialties give you an advantage as they directly prepare you for certifications through a focused curriculum and real-life scenarios.

Nurses with an MSN are in demand across various healthcare settings nationwide due to advanced patient care, management, and extensive healthcare administration training. Below are potential career paths for RNs with an MSN, categorized into clinical (meaning you directly provide patient care) and nonclinical roles:

Clinical Roles:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Certified RN Anesthetist
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Emergency Room Nurse
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Nonclinical Roles:

• Certified Nurse Educator
• Chief Nursing Officer
• Director of Nursing
• Executive Nurse Leader
• Healthcare Consultant
• Informatics Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Policy Advisor
• Nurse Researcher
• Public Health Nurse

Common Nursing Specializations for RN to MSN Programs

Most RN to MSN programs offer a variety of nursing specializations to cater to diverse career aspirations. Take a look at a few of the nursing specialties offered at WCU:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): AGACNPs focus on the health needs of adolescents aged 13+, adults, and seniors. They specialize in primary care or acute care settings (such as intensive care units or trauma centers).
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP): AGPCNPs provide primary health care services to adolescents and adults across their lifespan. These professionals work to prevent illness and assist with long-term care across clinical settings.
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Specializing in providing comprehensive, family-centered healthcare across all ages ��� from infants to seniors ��� FNPs perform physical exams, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and educate on health promotion.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): PMHNPs specialize in mental health and substance abuse care, offering therapy, medication management, and emergency psychiatric services.
• Nurse Educators: Nurse educators are commonly found in academic or nonclinical healthcare settings. They play a vital role in educating and training future nurses, preparing them to meet the challenges of modern healthcare delivery.
• Nurse Leaders: Nurse leaders drive organizational excellence and patient care innovation by assuming managerial roles, overseeing care teams, improving nursing practices, and influencing healthcare policy.

Are you an RN looking to find your nursing niche? Explore a more in-depth explanation of each unique MSN specialty through our comprehensive MSN specialties guide.

Advance Your Nursing Career by Earning Your RN to MSN at WCU

返字心頭 offers an online RN to MSN program with six specializations for students
to focus their studies in alignment with their interests and career goals. WCU���s flexible programs
and supportive learning environment help empower you to balance your professional and
personal commitments.

Get in touch today to learn more about the RN to MSN program and start working toward a
specialization in AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, Nurse Educator, Nurse Leader, or PMHNP.
Discover why 返字心頭 is the right choice for your healthcare journey!

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Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs) are both advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This means that they possess at least a master���s degree in nursing (MSN) and have undergone advanced clinical training.

While both are well-equipped to deliver primary care, FNPs and AGPCNPs are uniquely qualified to serve specific patient populations.

Read on to learn more about the difference between FNPs and AGPCNPs as well as which career path may be the right fit for you.

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

FNPs are advanced practice registered nurses who are qualified to provide comprehensive care to patients across their entire lifespan, from infancy to end-of-life. FNPs generally serve as the first point of contact for patients who are seeking healthcare services, treating individuals and families throughout their lives.

Dedicated to enhancing the wellness of their patients, FNPs focus on preventative care and holistic health approaches. As such, they do not work in acute care���medical treatment provided for short-term illnesses, injuries, or medical conditions that require immediate attention.

FNP’s work across , a few of the most common are listed below.

• Family practice clinics
• Specialty clinics
• Urgent Care
• Emergency departments (ED)
• Hospital clinics and chronic care units
• Retail clinics
• Palliative care settings
• Long-term care facilities
• House calls and home care companies

What Does an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Do?

AGPCNPs are advanced practice registered nurses who are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat patients ranging from adolescents (starting at the age of 13) through older adulthood to end of life. Dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of their patients, AGPCNPs focus on preventative care and holistic health approaches.

They may also support patients transitioning between care settings, which often involves
educating patients and caregivers on how to best maintain and/or monitor the patient���s health.

AGPCNP���s work in various environments, including:

• Clinics
• Hospitals/Urgent care
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Long-term care including homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, etc.
• Outpatient care centers
• Medical and physician offices

What is the Process of Becoming an FNP vs. AGPCNP?

The process of becoming an FNP or AGPCNP is similar although the content of the national certification examination will vary. To become certified, both prospective FNPs and AGPCNPs typically follow these three steps:

Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse

To become a registered nurse (RN), you must complete an accredited nursing program (Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)) and successfully pass the to obtain your license.

It���s important to note that all states require prospective RNs to hold a minimum of an ADN to qualify for their license. However, a growing number of states now require a BSN.

In states where a BSN is not required, registered nurses with an ADN are recommended to
enhance their qualifications to meet specific employer requirements by enrolling in an RN to
BSN program.

Step 2: Earn National Certification

In addition to holding an active RN license, you must become nationally certified as a FNP or
AGPCNP through an examination process via the or the .

To qualify for either examination, you must submit an application. Both the ANCC and AANP require you to submit the following to determine your eligibility:

• Proof of a current RN license
• Proof of completion of an accredited FNP or AGPCNP education program, including all supervised clinical practice hours
• Relevant transcripts
• An application fee

After successfully passing the exam, your national nurse practitioner certification will be valid for five years; however, to maintain certification, you must follow the renewal process detailed on the ANCC or AANP site.

Step 3: Apply for State Licensure

Following your RN licensure and your national certification as an FNP or AGPCNP, you must become licensed in the specific state where you plan to practice. As licensure requirements differ by state, it���s important to understand the requirements outlined by your state���s .

The application process for most state licensure requires a minimum of:

• Proof of a current RN license
• Proof of national FNP or AGPCNP certification
• Proof of the completion of an accredited FNP or AGPCNP program, including all supervised clinical practice hours
• An application fee

Deciding Which Educational Path Fits Your Needs

Although the general process of becoming a FNP or AGPCNP is similar, the specific coursework varies.

FNP programs typically offer a comprehensive range of pediatric courses, preparing practitioners to care for patients from infancy through the end-of-life. In contrast, AGPCNP programs focus on adolescent to adult care, generally excluding pediatric courses from their curriculum. Visit WCU���s catalog to learn more about and .

Once you���ve decided on the right fit for you, consider applying to an accredited nursing program that not only meets your state���s criteria to become an FNP or AGPCNP, but also aligns with your professional goals.

WCU Helps Support Students Through Their Educational Journey

No matter which path you choose, becoming an FNP or AGPCNP can empower you to lead a successful career. Both roles are fulfilling in their own way, offering opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

WCU���s online FNP specialization is available through the following programs:

• RN to MSN – FNP
• MSN – FNP
• Post-Master’s Certificate – FNP

The online AGPCNP specialization is available through the following programs:

• RN to MSN – AGPCNP
• MSN – AGPCNP
• Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP

Visit one of the program pages above and submit a request for additional information to begin planning for a rewarding career

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In nursing, we hear the word ���care��� a lot.

It���s the language we use to describe the profession. But what does it mean?

For nurses, care isn���t just that soft, fuzzy feeling of a hand on your shoulder or a kind word. It���s more than that. It���s the courage and grit to care when things get hard. It’s the stamina to keep caring when the odds are long. It���s the fortitude to make decisions and act when life hangs in the balance.

It takes a certain kind of person to do this work ��� and that’s because caring is a calling.

It���s caring when your shift feels endless��� when the ward is over capacity��� when your patient takes their fear out on you��� when the prognosis is bad. Nurses are leaders, teachers, and caregivers who act in the moment for the benefit of others. They show up and they keep up.

Let���s dispel the myth of nursing as a profession of the nurturer and embrace the nurse warrior, who cares deeply in the fight for life. Let���s take a moment to appreciate what the profession of nursing entails and why nurses are essential to the health and well-being of our society at large.

Healthcare Isn���t a System ��� It���s a Collective

Those of us inside the healthcare ���system��� know that it���s a misnomer. ���System��� is a reductive term for something that is much more than that. Care comes from the people, not the system, and the people of healthcare are stronger, wiser, and more dedicated than their organizational infrastructure.

Healthcare is a team sport ��� a collaborative effort dedicated to the relentless pursuit of health and life. It���s check-you-chart, check-your-morale, check-on-your-teammates work where the sum is greater than its parts. Nurses work in lockstep with each other and with the entirety of a healthcare facility���s personnel to save lives.

Each patient participates in their own health, too, and the connective tissue between a patient and their treatment is often their nurse. After all, nurses make up the , and they���re the primary providers of patient care in hospitals, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Nurses are synapses of communication between patients and their doctors, keeping both sides informed, empowered, and on the right path to health.

Nursing Roles: Touching All Aspects of Life

There���s no overestimating the impact of nurses throughout our lives, including during many milestones. Nurses work with every age population, from neonatal to hospice. They help bring us into the world, and they help ease us out of it. They take our vitals and ask us about our medical histories without judgment. They participate in some of our most critical medical moments. Even when we don���t know them by name, we .

The settings in which nurses work are as varied as their skill set. Nurses work in hospitals, in homes, in schools, and in prisons.^1,2 They can specialize in family medicine, geriatric care, pediatrics, women���s health, and more. They can conduct research, teach in universities, and affect healthcare policy. And all of that is by no means a comprehensive inventory of the nursing purview.

When it comes to care, nurses strike just the right balance between science-based decisions with human compassion. Becoming a nurse means relating to a patient in more ways, perhaps, than any other profession.

An Education That Lays the Foundation for Quality Care

To say a nursing education is a well-rounded education is a gross understatement. Nurses at the undergraduate level study general education topics as well as a series of demanding subjects that require a high level of versatility. (To get a sense of their diversity in education, check out WCU���s )

Nurses who pursue advanced degrees face additional rigor, and those who pursue the highest levels of education and specialties must develop fluency in complex disciplines.

Nursing school at all levels is for students with an appetite for challenge. It���s an education that is equal parts academic and hands-on learning, and it trains both your intellectual and muscle memories for work that requires all-in commitment. This is not a desk job, and even when you are doing paperwork, the stakes remain high.

As a nursing student, you���ll study the sciences and fundamentals specific to nursing, but you will also learn about communication, public health, research, mental health, family and community dynamics, and more.

You���ll do homework and lab work. You���ll participate in simulations and clinical experiences. You���ll graduate with knowledge and skills you���ll need to make a difference for those who will need you.

返字心頭���s Devotion to Future Nurses

At WCU, we are continuously inspired by the nurses of tomorrow that we see in our classrooms today. We���re invested in each and every student���s success, from the first day of their program until well beyond graduation.

We���re focused on our students getting to where they need to go to create the impact they want to in the world. At WCU, that means giving you a quality education and helping you achieve your goals to embark on the exciting, intense, challenging, and deeply rewarding work of a nurse.

Getting Started on Your Nursing Education Journey

Whether you���re ready to start working toward your goal of becoming a nurse or you want to build on your skill set as an existing nurse, we have the curriculum and learning resources you need. Explore our online and campus nursing programs, or fill out the form on this page to request more information.

We want to help you achieve your goals so you can make a bigger impact!

Citations:

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, ���,��� Updated Sept. 8, 2022

² International Association of Forensic Nurses, ���,��� Accessed April 27, 2023

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Even with a lifelong passion to work in healthcare and a supportive family to back him, the journey for Nikolas to become a nurse was not easy ��� but he never stopped believing in himself or his dreams.

���Nursing is in my blood,��� he said at the 返字心頭 2022 Commencement ceremony, before receiving his master���s degree in nursing, with a family-nurse practitioner emphasis. ���It���s been a calling since birth I think.”

Raised in the Diamond Bar area by a nurse mom and her sisters ��� also nurses ��� Nikolas knew his whole life that he would be a nurse too. But, unable to find the right bachelor of nursing program after high school, he ended up ���making a lot of pizzas��� for a few years while completing his college prerequisites and earning an associate degree. Eventually, Nikolas enrolled first in the vocational nursing program at American Career College to ���get his feet wet and get some experience��� before starting his BSN.

���That was one of the best decisions I���ve ever made,��� he said. ���I would recommend for almost everyone to go through the VN first because that gives you the discipline you need to excel in the very demanding program that is 返字心頭���s BSN program.���

After graduating from American Career College-Orange County, Nikolas worked for a year as a licensed vocational nurse before starting the BSN program at WCU-Orange County in 2016. He graduated magna cum laude three years later, while working full-time as a nurse, and attributed much of his success at WCU to the early lessons learned at American Career College.

���ACC set the foundation for my nursing skills, for my love of nursing,��� he said. ���I said to myself ���I���m just gonna go for it and keep going.��� And I never stopped.���

Even during the pandemic ��� when everything shut down ��� Nikolas said he kept moving toward his goals with the help and inspiration of loved ones and family, especially his grandfather.

���My grandfather was basically my father, the patriarch of the family. He helped my aunts and mom all become nurses, and he was the driving force that carried me along the way,��� Nikolas said. ���Shortly after I got my RN ��� that was his lifelong goal for me ��� he passed during COVID, and that was another drive for me to really do it ��� for him, and my family.���

With his fianc辿���s blessing and active encouragement, less than a year after graduating with his BSN and while working as a COVID nurse, Nikolas decided to enroll in WCU���s MSN-FNP online program.

���My fianc辿 pushed me to become a nurse practitioner. She���s a pharmacist, so after I became an RN, she said, ���OK, now it���s time ��� let���s keep moving forward,������ he said. ���When the pandemic started, and I became an RN, it was a challenging decision to go right back into school ��� but I did it.���

And just as going to ACC and being an LVN had benefited his BSN studies, Nikolas said his time at WCU and the skills he learned as an RN helped him excel during his master���s program.

���It���s not an easy program but working with all these amazing nurses from all these different backgrounds is what really set the course for me,��� he said.

Now having graduated summa cum laude with his master���s, Nikolas wants to instill hope into the next generation of nurses and is quick to encourage them to follow their dreams and never give up.

���This is the best decision you could make. And if you start, don���t stop,��� he said. ���Find friends, work together ��� you guys can do it together. We can do this together.���

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Sally V. has never worked in a hospital setting. Instead, for the past seven years, she worked at a community clinic, calling public health her ���true calling.���

���My passion is community health,��� Sally said. ���I love establishing relationships with patients and their families.���

Sally might be the first medical professional in her family, but she said she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was young. She was drawn to the expansive nature of nursing, which was also a major draw for her to come to 返字心頭. She chose WCU after discovering its cohort-styled learning.

“I chose 返字心頭 because everyone was geared towards the same goal. I loved that it was a family. It���s the same group of people you stick with the whole journey. You develop bonds and help each other go through it.”

Sally V.

Sally graduated from WCU-Ontario with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014. Now, she encourages others, telling them that they can pursue a nursing degree no matter what obstacles stand in their way.

���I didn���t know anyone in healthcare. I was a single mom also working almost full-time, over 30 hours a week,��� Sally said. ���If you want it and you���re motivated and believe in yourself��� you���ll make it happen.���

Sally leaned on her mother, who she said supported and cheered her on. At the same time, she balanced life as a single mom to her son, Anthony. She recalled that the flexible class schedules meant she was not on campus every day of the week. She also found her professors were experiencing similar responsibilities.

���You did get to develop a relationship with your professor, who was also a nurse and most of the time also a parent,��� she said. ���They were always available to provide more assistance.���

After completing an online Master of Public Health program in 2018, Sally began her Master of Science in Nursing program at 返字心頭.

���I submitted my final project on Sunday, and I started the Master of Science in Nursing program on Monday,��� she said. ���It just happened the terms lined up like that. Everyone was like, ���You���re crazy,��� but once I get my mind set on something, I go for it.���

Sally was inspired to continue in her education after working alongside a practicing physician at the community care clinic. She said the experience made her realize that she wanted to provide that level of care to her own patients.

���I wanted to be the provider where the patients say, ���Sally takes care of me and wants me to be healthy and is always there when I have questions,������ she said. ���In community health, there are so many barriers: homelessness, poverty, drug use, lack of transportation. I decided I wanted to be a provider, so I enrolled and just finished the Family Nurse Practitioner program in May of 2021.���

Sally said her cohort was there for each other, whether through Zoom study sessions, quizzing one another, or sharing flashcards. After finishing the program and passing their boards, Sally remembered how everyone celebrated getting through that challenging final year together.

���I felt so proud of these people I have only seen once,��� she said. ���Even though we���re hundreds, if not thousands, of miles apart, it was important to make it through together, to get to this point as a cohort, not just as individuals.���

The close, family-oriented cohort is a major reason why Sally advocates for others to consider attending 返字心頭.

���I���ve heard from other people that their nursing experience wasn���t as good. They didn���t develop those relationships like I did,��� Sally said. ���Not every school is the perfect fit for everyone, but this is why I chose West Coast and why I support and advocate for it.���

Now, Sally helps to foster that same bond with her own students. She became a nursing instructor at American Career College in January 2022.

As the president of the Ontario Alumni Chapter, Sally remains highly involved in her alma mater. Her best advice to anyone interested in nursing is to start today.

���Life never stops. It is always full of surprises,��� she said. ���You can���t wait. When people finally do the program they say, ���I should have done this earlier and shouldn���t have made so many excuses for myself.������

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Achieving a master���s-level degree in nursing requires focus and drive. It also comes with a range of specializations for a more focused course of study and practice. If you���re considering an advanced degree in nursing, consider also your personal strengths and affinities. Are you a natural leader? Do you love the act of learning and sharing knowledge? Maybe you���re a data wonk, or are most passionate about clinical practice.

Each of the above talents has an MSN degree to match, and each concentration fills a unique imperative in advanced nursing. The types of MSN nurses fall into four main buckets, and within each, the opportunity to concentrate with even more specificity.

Nurse Educator

Being a good educator is already a big part of the nursing profession: As a nurse, it is your responsibility to educate your patients about their conditions, treatment options, and ways to stay healthy. But who educates the nurse? An advanced practice nurse who specializes in nursing education.

Once you study to become a nurse educator, you pay it forward, passing your learnings, from lectures to labs. The MSN nurse educator degree prepares you to educate the next generation of nurses in the classroom, or to working nurses through clinical sessions. This MSN degree prepares you not just to command a classroom, but to help develop curricula and standards. Nurse educators are passionate teachers who take on the critical role of supporting aspiring nurses through their schooling, and provide continuing education for nurses already on the job.

As a nurse educator, you aren���t just the vessel for knowledge, you act as a role model. Many, if not most, nurse educators maintain some clinical-practice presence in addition to a faculty position in a school or teaching hospital.

Nurse Leader

Natural leadership is an uncommon talent, so there���s ample demand for nurses who love to take charge. This supervisory role is for independent thinkers with the aptitude and confidence to guide groupthink. A master���s in nursing leadership will help you develop acute organizational skills, so you can take on everything from organizing employee training and professional development to maintaining team morale. It requires a keen eye for recognizing talent to make hiring decisions, and the ability to make tough decisions when employee performance requires termination.

You���ll typically need an RN license and BSN degree in order to move forward to advancing your degree to an MSN. With this degree, you���ll graduate with the superior communication and collaborative skills you���ll need to lead.

Nurse Practitioner

NPs and APRNs (advanced practice nurses) tend to be the most patient-facing MSN nurses, engaged directly with patients and often acting as the primary point of contact and care. Many states allow nurse practitioners to practice with and even own and operate their own medical offices.

Within the NP umbrella is a range of specialties, including family care (FNP), adult-gerontology (AGPCNP and AGACNP), pediatric, neonatal, and psychiatric (PMHNP). These areas of specialization require a concentration during study, with aspiring NPs choosing a track that prepares them for a very targeted career for a specific population.

Nurse practitioners are increasingly many patients��� choice for a PCP, in part because of accessibility, and in part because of the nurse-patient relationship���s reputation for empathy and compassionate care.

There are MSN nursing degrees that can be completed through an online program, which make it possible for a working registered nurse to advance their degree to a Master of Science in Nursing. Furthermore, an RN to MSN bridge program allows students to use their professional experience as registered nurses to complete bachelor���s courses and jump straight into specialized master���s-level coursework so they can complete their MSN degrees faster.

For more helpful information about nursing education and the profession, continue reading our blog!

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Just like there are many types of doctors, there are a multitude of kinds of nurses. Many patients ��� and even aspiring healthcare professionals ��� don���t immediately know the difference between, say, a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner. It gets even more confusing when you refer to a nurse by their degree initials: RN, MSN, NP, LVN, AGCNP��� the alphabet soup goes on.

Here are some need-to-knows: Levels of of education in nursing can range from a licensed nurse, like an Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), to a Registered Nurse (RN), to a nurse with an advanced degree like a master���s or doctoral (e.g. Nurse Practitioner), each with a wide range of options to pursue specialties, types of care, and working environments.

To help you decide which type of nursing you���d like to pursue or know more about, start here. Or if you���re a working nurse considering further education, or just a way to explain to friends, family and patients outside of the healthcare industry what your profession entails, we at 返字心頭 compiled a cheat sheet breaking down what different nurses are, and what they do:

What���s a Licensed Vocational Nurse?

A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), sometimes known as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a nurse with a certificate or an associate���s degree in nursing. An LVN usually works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and/or in a facility that provides care to patients with disabilities, illness or injury.

What���s a Registered Nurse?

A Registered Nurse is educated either at a college or nursing school, and required to pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) before practice. RNs work hands-on in a range of settings, including hospitals, private practices, in-home care and more, with a focus on patient interaction, preparation and education. RNs are licensed to administer medications, operate and monitor some healthcare equipment, among many other responsibilities.

What���s a Nurse Practitioner?

The difference between an RN and an NP starts with level of education. To become a Registered Nurse Practitioner, you need an advanced degree, at the master���s or doctoral level, and study within a specialization. With some exceptions like surgery, and some state-by-state requirements requiring physician oversight for prescribing medication, an NP may operate with autonomy, much like a doctor, and many patients choose to see an NP as their primary care provider (PCP).

What���s a Master of Science Nurse?

This is a nurse with a Masters of Science in Nursing, who may choose to specialize in education, administration, policy or leadership. MSN nurses are often less involved in clinical work directly with patients, and more in leading and supporting other nurses to ensure exceptional performance and up-to-date learning.

What���s a Doctor of Nursing Practice?

This is the most advanced degree available in nursing. Nurses who attain this rigorous advanced degree are prepared to go on to leadership positions, overseeing nurses at all levels, or teaching positions, training aspiring and working nurses.

Obviously within each type of degree there���s extensive nuance. For a deeper dive into where nurses work, lengths of study, certification expectations and more, see some of WCU���s program pages below:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The post WCU by Degrees – Our Guide to What Nursing Degrees Really Mean appeared first on 返字心頭.

If you are still contemplating the value of a master���s degree in nursing, read on to learn about some of its top benefits.

Specialization
The greatest value of a master���s degree in nursing is that it allows for specialization in the field of your choice. While a bachelor���s degree helps you learn how to give basic nursing care and implement orders, a master���s degree enables you to delve deeper into a specific subject. For example, you could choose to focus on leadership roles in the specialization of mental health, and a master���s degree in nursing could help in qualifying for employment opportunities in this area.

A Gateway to Teaching Assignments
According to����on 2016-2017 Enrollment and Graduate 返字心頭in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away over 64,000 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2016. One of the main reasons for this was an insufficient number of qualified faculty. After earning an advanced nursing degree, you could choose to become a nurse educator, where you can assume the role of a mentor, who helps others just beginning their career in the field of nursing.

Continued Education
Most nursing degree holders continue to gain knowledge and work toward greater mastery. Many whom aspire to be PhD���s in their area of interest. Obtaining a PhD would mean you would be able to contribute to research areas and work with minimal supervision. You can enroll in a PhD program only if you hold a��Master of Science in Nursing��or another master���s degree in the healthcare field.

While not everyone will go on to enroll in a PhD program, the fact that healthcare industry jobs are expanding due to the increasing need for healthcare, leads to a greater need for nurses in management roles. A master���s degree is needed to fill the requirements for these roles.

Career Advancement
Many master���s degree programs focus on creating leaders. This means that nurses with a master���s degree could continue to grow in various roles within the hospital ��� right from mentor roles to management. They would be expected to handle coordination and communication as well. Nurses with a specialization are also considered important decision makers and stakeholders in policy matters. These diverse roles help nurses gain a better view of hospital operations and go beyond caring for their patients.

Better Work/Life Balance and Flexibility
Once you earn a master���s degree, your work hours could improve too! The working hours of average registered graduate nurses are intense. They are on their feet for an average of 10-12 hours a day. With a master���s degree, you are eligible for management positions, many of which work on an��. With optimum working hours, you will get more time with your family as well.

You Can Study Online ��� Continue to Earn While You Learn
Many colleges today offer online courses in nursing. It is beneficial for nurses with a bachelor���s degree seeking to advance their careers without having to leave their jobs. These online courses, however, need a lot of dedication, commitment and time management.

WCU (返字心頭) offers an online program in nursing education and is institutionally accredited by WSCUC¹��(WASC Senior College and University Commission). Our online nursing education programs are programmatically accredited by CCNE²��(Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).��Contact Us��today to learn more about our online master’s programs.

¹��WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001,��
²��Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 887-6791, http://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE

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