Masters in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Completing a masters in nursing prepares experienced nurses for careers in nurse education, nurse management, and administration. An advanced practice degree also makes nurses more marketable in their chosen specialties. The requirements for a masters in nursing depend on the type of education a nurse has already completed. If a nurse has not completed a bachelors degree in nursing, an RN to MSN program is the appropriate choice. If a nurse already has a bachelors degree in nursing, then enrollment in a MSN program is suitable. Completing the preliminary requirements before applying to a nursing program improves a nurses chances of acceptance.
Credit Requirements
The number of credit hours for a masters of nursing depends on the school and the chosen area of specialization. Most programs require a minimum of 36 credits, with some schools requiring the completion of 45 credits. Students enrolled in nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner programs usually have to complete more rigorous coursework. Nurses pursuing their masters degrees also have to complete clinical practicum requirements. The number of clinical hours required depends on state licensing requirements, but the minimum usually ranges from 400 to 600 hours.
RN to MSN vs. BS to MSN
RN to MSN programs combine a bachelors degree program with a masters of nursing, which means they usually take longer to complete. However, many schools grant course substitutions or double credits for completed coursework, so it does not take as long to complete this type of program as it would to complete each degree separately. If a student enters a RN to MSN program with a nursing diploma instead of an associates degree in nursing, he or she may also have to complete general education requirements in the fields of science, mathematics, history, literature, and the arts. Specific course requirements vary based on prior coursework and each individual institution.
A registered nurse who holds a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing does not have to complete general education requirements. Nurses in this type of program may have to complete specific undergraduate nursing requirements, but they do not have to complete liberal arts coursework. For this type of student, the core course requirements of the BSN and RSN programs are combined into one bridge program. This reduces the number of credit hours required to complete a masters in nursing.
Coursework
MSN programs typically include several core courses that all students must complete. Once these courses have been completed, students take courses in their desired areas of specialization. Core courses cover the role of the advanced nurse, nursing theory and research, health care policy, nursing practice, and information management. The coursework required for upper-level students depends on their chosen specializations. Nurse practitioner students, for example, may complete coursework in differential diagnosis, pharmacology, pathophysiology, primary care, womens health, mental health, pediatrics, and family nursing. Nurses specializing in education may need to complete courses in clinical decision making, responsibilities of nurse educators, educational concepts, educational technology, and principles of evaluation. The specific course requirements vary from one institution to the next.
Clinical Experience Requirements
MSN students must meet several basic requirements before beginning their clinical rotations. Due to the nature of the work, nursing students need to provide proof of several immunizations. These immunizations include the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and polio), and hepatitis B. Students must also receive a tuberculosis skin test within one year of starting a clinical practicum. If the skin test is positive, the student must provide a chest X-ray that shows no evidence of active tuberculosis. Students should also have malpractice insurance and a current RN license. Each institution may require students to complete compliance training before starting clinical work.
The clinical experience requirement allows MSN students to apply classroom theory to real-world nursing situations. MSN students may work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, student health centers, or private physician offices. Students specializing in health care policy or research may complete their clinical experiences at government agencies or research facilities. Nurse practitioner students use the clinical experience to develop skills in providing primary health care to patients in a variety of settings. The student nurse practitioner may educate patients about their health, teach patients how to prevent disease, and diagnose chronic and acute illnesses. Clinical experience supervisors typically provide written reports about the performance of students enrolled in MSN programs.
Nurses who want to enhance their knowledge of nursing theory or prepare themselves for advancement should consider completing a masters degree program. Those without a previous bachelors degree should plan to enroll in general education courses before completing nursing coursework. Those who have already completed a bachelors degree may start taking nursing coursework immediately. Upon completion of this degree, nurses may qualify for higher salaries or for administrative positions in the health care field.