What is an MSN Degree?: All You Need to Know
The role of a nurse is enormous in a healthcare setting. They deal with patients from the moment they come in need of medical attention. There are different types of nurses, though, from nurse educators to practitioners, registered nurses, home care registered nurses, and others. However, what does MSN mean in nursing? There are also plenty of ways to advance from one role to another as a nurse. And one of the key ways to do that is with an MSN degree, so let’s find out more.
MSN Degree Meaning
A Master of Science in Nursing, or widely referred to as “MSN,” is a degree that emphasizes further studying in healthcare roles. Now you may be asking yourself, what can I do with an MSN? Well, it is somewhat of a ladder degree that registered nurses (RNs) usually look to complete to advance their careers and move towards specialized roles in healthcare.
MSN Degree Specializations
Choosing the right MSN degree specialization could prove to be rather tricky. Considering that there are more than a few specializations, taking a look at yourself and your goals for your future is the first step. There are also MSN programs that go deeper into specific degrees. An example of such a degree would be the MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) degree that Pacific College offers.
Here are the different types of MSN degrees being offered:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP)
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
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How Long Does It Take to Complete an MSN Degree?
Completing an MSN degree typically takes from one to three years, depending on a couple of factors. The extra third year is available at times because it makes part-time studying possible, or sometimes students take the first year to get a general knowledge of nursing concepts. Dual master's programs are also standard for students looking to simultaneously specialize in more than one field.
MSN General Admission Requirements
Generally, online applications are submitted early in the year for most MSN majors. The admission requirements may vary, but most universities will ask for somewhat similar documents. For example, Pacific College in California for the MSN-FNP program requires an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing. After graduation and taking the NCLEX exam, one can become a certified RN. After gaining experience as an RN, you can choose an accredited program to complete the journey to becoming an MSN.
MSN Courses & Clinicals
Courses vary depending on the program and the path that the student chooses to take. Programs may require the completion of a specific number of credits to obtain the degree. They are designed with particular objectives and evaluation criteria to further advance the student’s knowledge into the field of nursing.
The clinical component comprises of the practice of treating the patients in person rather than just in theory or a laboratory study. Although students coming into the MSN degree studies are already familiarized to some point with the practices and procedures of nursing, during MSN clinicals, they go much further into the specialized clinical trials, hence why MSN programs include practice-based learning.
Tips for MSN Students
There are a few things that MSN students can do to best prepare themselves for an MSN degree. Indeed, nothing can prepare you for the real thing, but researching and talking to other MSN students already in their studies can help.
Being accommodated with the healthcare environment and having experience dealing with problem situations under pressure is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for any job. Having spent time gaining the necessary skills and knowledge prior, MSN students can focus on learning what is needed to best perform in the future.
Plan everything you can ahead of time
Planning things ahead of time works to feel more secure about what the future holds. In this case, making sure you know what is about to come next when studying can help calm some of that anxiety of starting new. Sometimes one of the best ways to control the uncontrollable is to prepare for the unexpected while setting realistic goals.
Make use of networking opportunities
Networking opportunities may appear to you in all kinds of ways. One needs to use them to the best of their ability to make new connections that may be helpful later on. Joining club meetings, after-hours events, or conferences are some of the best options for anyone to integrate into specific networks.
Networking is one of the best ways to promote yourself and your skills. Perhaps at one point down the line, you’ll need the help of seniors in the nursing profession, and then you might be grateful for having taken advantage of these networking opportunities when they came about.
Talk to senior MSN students or graduates
Talking to senior students or even graduates could be of massive help in more than one front. All the burning questions you might have can be answered by people who have already been through what you are about to. So, best try to find some graduates or about-to-be-graduates and ask them how they started as an MSN student and all the other questions related to the degree. And, who knows, you may also receive some study tips along the way.
Research scholarship opportunities
Scholarships make it possible for underprivileged students to follow their preferred studies. Making sure you do enough research to find the best suitable scholarship is essential. Pretty much most universities anywhere offer scholarships for their students. There are typically some required steps to be qualified for financial aid, but all in all, scholarships are there to help you achieve your dreams while dealing with the financial toll that can take on a student’s budget.