What Are the Options for Advanced Degrees in Nursing?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

One RN who has a BA in liberal arts and desires a career in advanced practice with a specialty in cardiovascular nursing.

Read the opinion from one authority:

There are a number of options for this nurse, who has a wealth of experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree and make an impact on the reduction of cardiovascular disease in women. Options to achieve her goals exist both within and outside of the nursing profession. Because she already holds a bachelor's degree, one option is to pursue a master's degree. She can earn a master's degree in nursing (eg, in a specific clinical area of nursing, as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, or administrator) or a master's degree in another field (eg, public health or psychology). A doctoral degree in nursing (PhD or DNP) or another field (eg, PhD in psychology or public health) can fulfill future post master's educational goals.

Read the entire article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/540198?src=mp

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[Coffeegirly]

He or she can also earn a DNSc- a doctorate in nursing science. A clinical and research oriented doctorate degree.

[NeuroMedic]

here are several programs offered by vanderbilt in regards to advanced nursing as far as the m.s.n. goes.

acute care nurse practitioner

adult nurse practitioner[color=#a28448]*

cardiovascular disease prevention and management

palliative care

adult nurse practitioner/gerontological nurse practitioner[color=#a28448]*

clinical management/clinical nurse specialist[color=#a28448]*

cns - med/surg or peds

clinical nurse leader

family nurse practitioner

family nurse practitioner/acute care nurse practitioner - emergency care focus

forensic nursing[color=#a28448]*

health systems management[color=#a28448]*

msn/mba dual degree

neonatal nurse practitioner[color=#a28448]*

msn program for bsn certificate-prepared neonatal nurse practitioners[color=#a28448]*

nurse-midwifery

nurse-midwifery/family nurse practitioner

nursing informatics[color=#a28448]*

pediatric nurse practitioner[color=#a28448]*

acute care

primary care

psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner[color=#a28448]*

women's health nurse practitioner

women's health nurse practitioner/adult nurse practitioner dual certification

msn program for bsn certificate-prepared women's health nurse practitioners who live at a distance[color=#a28448]*

here are doctoral options:

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/phd/program.html