Online master's degree programs in nursing

• Nursing
• Nurse Administration
• Nurse Education
• more

Florence Nightingale once called nursing "the finest of fine arts." If you are interested in fine-tuning your nursing skills, consider pursuing a master's degree in nursing. You can get your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) on your own terms and at your own pace by choosing from the online programs available at accredited colleges and universities.

Online Master of Science in Nursing programs: Coursework

With a graduate degree in nursing, you can build your expertise and take your nursing career to the next level. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are over 800 nursing master's degree programs available in the United States. Online master's degree programs in nursing typically take two years to complete. Some accelerated programs combine the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and MSN in a 3- to 4-year program.

A Master of Science in Nursing degree allows you to specialize and become nationally certified in one of four advanced nursing specialties--clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife and nurse practitioner. The master's degree in nursing curriculum features a combination of classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience. Online master's degree programs in nursing can help arrange an internship at a local clinic to accompany your online coursework.

If you are interested in an administrative or teaching role, look for online master's degrees in nursing education, leadership and management. Some programs even offer a combined MS/MBA in nursing administration, which incorporates business fundamentals into the curriculum.

All MSN programs cover research methodology and statistics as well as specialized training in your chosen nursing specialty. Examples of graduate-level nursing courses include:

• Nursing education
• Nursing administration
• Health systems analysis
• Epidemiology
• Community health care

WorldWideLearn's guide to graduate nursing degrees offers more information about online master's degree programs in nursing and a directory of accredited colleges and universities that offer the degree.

Online master's degrees in nursing education, leadership and management: Careers

A master's degree in nursing can lead to a career in advanced practice nursing or nursing administration. Graduates can pursue the following careers:

• Clinical nurse specialists provide expert care in a specialty such as psychiatric health, pediatric care or geriatrics.


• Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia and related care before and after surgical procedures.


• Nurse midwives provide gynecological care and education to women, including labor and delivery assistance.


• Nurse practitioners serve as primary or specialty care providers. Examples of specialties include family practice, women's health, pediatrics and acute care.

Nursing is the largest health care occupation, with registered nurses holding about 2.6 million jobs in 2009. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses earned a mean salary of $66,530 in 2009. No degree can guarantee a particular salary or career, but the BLS reports "excellent" prospects for nurses. Anticipated job growth of 22 percent translates to nearly 581,500 new jobs by 2018, the largest number for any occupation.

Learn more about online master's degree programs in nursing and other possible graduate-level degrees, such as nursing administration, nurse education and forensic nursing. Advance your clinical or administrative career today.

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