What is a Masters in Nursing used for?

Published

Serious question, but what is a Masters in Nursing (MS) used for? I don't know anyone with that particular Masters degree and it seems very general/vague. Is this more for a leadership path or clinical path? Would it be a good Masters to help me keep my options open?? My career goal is some type of educator. Description is as follows:

"The MS program in nursing is a post-baccalaureate degree designed to meet both the requirements for a Master of Science degree within XYZ University and the professional nursing requirements outlined in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials and the National League for Nursing competencies. The program focus is to provide nurses with advanced education and skills in the translation of concepts, practices and principles of leadership and improvement science that will lead to safe, effective, coordinated, patient-centered health services, improved health outcomes and reduction of health care costs."

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

It would depend on the track the student chooses to take. Many colleges and universities offer multiple MSN tracks. The one I obtained my MSN from offered education, leadership, and informatics. It has since added NP. That sounds like a very generic description for an MSN at large.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Sounds more like one for managers, case workers, public health, etc. Very Vague. My masters is specifically in education, Master of Science in Nursing Education. I did all the core basics for a masters in nursing, philosophies, core policy making, politics, laws. Then a lot of classes on teaching, class rooms, developing curriculums, how to write lectures, how to be a faculty memeber, etc. including student teaching under a mentor. If you are interested in education, I don't think the program you described would do you much good.

Specializes in Mental Health.

I was wondering the same thing because U of WI has RN-BSN-MS, but they then offer an additional one year program in the NP specialty of your choice so I think in their case MS isn’t intended to be the final step for most people.

4 hours ago, Calbrunette said:

The program focus is to provide nurses with advanced education and skills in the translation of concepts, practices and principles of leadership and improvement science

Nursing Leadership/Mgmnt or some permutation thereof, it sounds like

+ Join the Discussion