MSN Programs District of Columbia

Almost every nurse today needs to consider the benefits of advanced education. While its possible to have a rewarding career with an ADN or BSN degree, you can boost your potential earnings and assume additional responsibilities with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). As the complexities in the delivery of care increase, healthcare organizations and nurse leaders cite the need for nurses to hold a graduate or post-graduate degree to keep up with other health care professionals, such as … Read the rest

MSN Programs North Carolina

Higher life expectancy and more complex conditions faced by today’s patients create a need for more nurses prepared at the level of the Master of Science In Nursing (MSN). Graduates can apply for approval or recognition as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in North Carolina and work collaboratively with physicians, dentists, and other healthcare providers to treat patients across the life span.

Many states have embraced independent practice for nurse practitioners, a category of APRNs. Sadly, NPs in North Carolina … Read the rest

MSN Programs Maine

The need for nurses to continue learning to the graduate degree and beyond is a direct response to their increasing responsibilities in the complex health care system. A decade ago, nurses received more mileage from their pre-licensure education. The training provided by the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) was sufficient for many nursing roles, but today is barely recognized as the ticket for entry into nursing. The shift in health care calls for nurses to build on their education to … Read the rest

MSN Programs Tennessee

While there are many reasons to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the primary motive for getting the degree is to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). MSN graduates can apply for licensure as an APRN in Tennessee after passing a national certification exam related to their specialty. Apart from APRN preparation, the MSN may also provide advanced training in specialty care, such as mental health, pediatrics, administration, research, and education.

There’s mounting pressure upon nurses to … Read the rest

MSN Programs Kansas

A career as a nurse offers many rewards. Higher life expectancy among the aging population has created a higher demand for health care professionals, which includes nurses. Statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics bears record of the growth in the profession. According to a 2017 report, the demand for registered nurses is projected to increase 15% by 2026. Registered nurses form the largest group in the health care team, so the projected growth in the profession is … Read the rest

MSN Programs Idaho

Nurses who have specialized training are better prepared to cope with the complexities in healthcare. A master of science in nursing (MSN) delivers the specialty training registered nurses need to improve patient care and advance their careers. Nurses prepared at the MSN level can apply their knowledge to benefit patients, use their expertise to assume leadership roles, and clinical judgment to solve complex problems. Their advanced training will support autonomy in daily practice, empowering them to do more based on … Read the rest

MSN Programs West Virginia

As a registered nurse, you might be considering ways to take your career to the next level. One of the primary pathways to career advancement is to complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) program. This graduate program is essential for advanced practice, but it requires a substantial investment of time and money. The degree prepares students to make a difference in the lives of others, from a specialized standpoint, and lead the next generation of nurses. Graduates are … Read the rest

MSN Programs South Dakota

Nurse practitioners belong to a category of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which also includes nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. APRNs complete rigorous academic and practical training in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in preparation for national certification and a specialized role in care. Upon licensure by the South Dakota Board of Nursing, APRNs will be eligible to diagnose and use therapeutic methods to treat patients. They are essential to the delivery of care … Read the rest

MSN Programs North Dakota

The demand for primary care is on the rise, mostly due to the growing healthcare needs of the aging population, longer life expectancy, and greater access to healthcare by persons who had little or no coverage. In spite of the heightening demands, trends reveal a decline in the number of primary care physicians. The challenges that North Dakota’s rural population places on the health care system was the subject of a 2017 biennial report released by the UND School of … Read the rest

MSN Programs Hawaii

Continued education is essential to career advancement in nursing. More than that, advanced education is now critical to getting a job in most healthcare settings, as hospitals require advanced degrees from nursing staff. In the United States, the demand for advanced practice nurses is higher than ever. The aging baby boomer generation and the prevalence of chronic illnesses and complexity in care require nurses to demonstrate the skills and learning to meet industry challenges regarding primary care. Add the demand … Read the rest

MSN Programs Rhode Island

In the Institute of Medicine’s, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, published in 2010, the committee emphasized the need for nurses to reduce gaps in care. As primary care providers, nurses not only increase access to health care services but also implement care plans for diverse patients, reduce infection rates, prevent medication errors, and facilitate the transition of patients from hospital to home.

When nurses are permitted to work to the full extent of their training and education, … Read the rest

MSN Programs Mississippi

The state of the primary care workforce in Mississippi is more critical than other states. More autonomy for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses have been presented as a viable solution for the acute shortage of primary care doctors –especially for residents in rural areas. A nurse practitioner is an individual who has obtained the authorization to treat certain medical conditions based on the completion of a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and … Read the rest

MSN Programs Vermont

To effect the change needed to improve healthcare, registered nurses must be willing to change and improve themselves. Graduate nursing programs, such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), provide the additional training RNs need to become the leaders of tomorrow. Yet, there are several reasons, besides the desire to effect change, which drives nurses to graduate study. Many nurses seek additional education to boost their salaries, take an active role in the evolution of nursing, or to deliver … Read the rest

MSN Programs Iowa

The aging population and prevalence of chronic illnesses and obesity demand a transformation of primary care. When more than 20 million residents gained access to health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act, it became even more imperative to address the challenges with the delivery of primary care.

The federal Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, identifies numerous medically underserved areas containing at least 55 million Americans living without proper access to primary care doctors. The HRSA believes that … Read the rest

MSN Programs Nebraska

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses gain their knowledge and expertise through the rigorous Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The specialized training helps registered nurses develop and apply advanced nursing principles to care for patients. The State of Nebraska licenses APRNs in four roles: Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Certified Nurse Midwife. Advanced practice nurses, and nurse practitioners, in particular, help to fill the gap in primary care. In 2015, Nebraska elected to grant nurse … Read the rest

MSN Programs Alaska

With spectacular views and breathtaking wildlife, Alaska offers the nature lover an abundance of scenery for pleasure and relaxation. There are a lot of activities for those who love the great outdoors, but the state’s severe shortage of medical practitioners might be too daunting, even for the most avid outdoorsman. The shortage of primary care providers is a pressing concern for stakeholders across the United States where there are about 6,000 federally designated areas with a shortage of primary care … Read the rest

MSN Programs Wyoming

The demand for nurses in Wyoming, and around the country, far outweighs the supply. The gap between demand and supply is expected to widen due to the shortage of nurse educators and resources at nursing schools. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects massive job growth for nurses, including advanced practice registered nurses, who can help fill the need for primary care in rural Wyoming. Although the Wyoming State Board of Nursing recognizes four categories of APRNs, there is no … Read the rest

MSN Programs Oklahoma

Efforts to increase the primary care workforce in Oklahoma have been futile as the state sorely lacks physicians to provide care for residents. At a rate of 75 doctors per 100,000 residents, Oklahoma has the second lowest ratio in the country. The Department of Health and Human Services identifies medically underserved populations in 71 out of 77 counties and nine counties – in their entirety – have been designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Lack of training facilities in the rural … Read the rest

MSN Programs Kentucky

Advanced practice registered nurses who complete the master’s of science in nursing are prepared to fill the void of primary care providers in Kentucky and across the nation. Although more Americans have access to health insurance, there has been no corresponding increase in the physician workforce to tend to their needs. Nurse practitioners can help fill this need by assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients the same way a physician would. They provide much of the same care as a physician … Read the rest

MSN Programs Louisiana

For a nurse intent on lifelong learning, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is a given as it paves the way for greater responsibility in healthcare delivery, higher pay, and opportunities in academic and research. To obtain a license to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Louisiana, a registered nurse must complete graduate study at the masters or doctorate level. This level of education gives a registered nurse the additional training to conduct physical exams, … Read the rest

MSN Programs New Hampshire

Nurses form the largest single profession within the health care sector. As such, their education is critical to the delivery of high-quality care. The Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) provides registered nurses with the specialty education to deliver care tailored to specific populations. They are empowered to make high-level judgments that will change the lives in patients in the evolving industry.

In the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) published report, ”The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” is … Read the rest

MSN Programs Michigan

Professional nurses are needed to care for patients at all levels. Beyond the routine care, registered nurses can prepare themselves through graduate nursing programs to meet the demand for skilled practitioners. The masters of science in nursing prepares students for national certification in a specialty area. Graduates are able to administer anesthesia, provide primary to patients in rural areas, or treat psychiatric illnesses based on the area of practice. Lack of resources in the education of nurses, demand for competent … Read the rest

MSN Programs Indiana

One of the best strategies to address the demand for health care professionals in the United States is to make full use and increase the number of nurses practicing at the advanced level. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives. In the State of Indiana, scope-of-practice regulations affect not only the growth of the profession statewide but also the ability of APRNs to meet the population’s needs. A move to full prescriptive … Read the rest

MSN Programs Utah

Advanced practice registered nurses, especially those practicing as nurse practitioners, help to fill a challenging gap in healthcare. Through the delivery of essential primary care services in medically underserved areas, residents no longer have the make long and costly trips to other counties to get much-needed care.

In Utah as in other states, there are thousands of residents living in areas where access to health professionals is limited. In some towns, there are no physicians, and the limited overall supply … Read the rest

MSN Programs Massachusetts

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) care for thousands of Massachusetts residents, including seniors, newborns, expectant moms, and mental health patients. Their specialized education and training prepare them to practice beyond the duties of a registered nurse. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Board of Registration in Nursing recognizes several APRN roles: Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), and Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS). There are countless studies that confirm APRNs’ … Read the rest

MSN Programs Maryland

Recognized as the 21st state in the union to permit full practice for nurse practitioners, Maryland offers excellent opportunities for advanced practice. The state’s Nurse Practitioner Full Practice Authority Act gives nurse practitioners the authority to prescribe certain drugs without an attestation agreement. NPs also have the freedom to establish their own clinics and provide high-quality care to residents, especially those in rural and underserved areas. A key benefit of the established Act is the ability to NPs to close … Read the rest

MSN Programs Pennsylvania

The aging population, greater accessibility to health coverage and longer life expectancy fuel an incessant demand for primary care services. Meanwhile, a shortage of primary care physicians to meet demands raises concerns for patients, especially those in rural areas. Efforts to educate and train more primary care physicians will not address the immediate need, so expanding the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants is considered a feasible solution for the short and long term.

In light of the role … Read the rest

MSN Programs Arkansas

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses have a pivotal role in the future of health care. The state of Arkansas recognizes four specific advanced practice roles, nurse practitioners (NP), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), and certified nurse midwives (CNM). APRNs, especially NPs and CNMs, play a critical role in the area of primary care, serving at the forefront of preventative care to the public.

The Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) supplies the advanced education registered nurses … Read the rest

MSN Programs Oregon

The aging of the U.S. population, increased access to health coverage, and a shortfall of primary care physicians will cause a crisis within healthcare. Oregon, like other states, is particularly vulnerable as populations in rural areas do not have access to primary care. One measure the state has implemented to pick up the slack is to utilize nurse practitioners in medically under-served areas. The number of nurse practitioners in the state rose by 18% over a three year period in … Read the rest

MSN Programs Washington

Rising demand for primary care, due to aging, population growth, and expanded health insurance coverage under the affordable care act, places additional pressure on an overburdened health care system. By permitting nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their training, Washington State seeks to optimize its existing primary care activity and increase access to care to residents in underserved rural areas.

Full practice authority in Washington gives nurse practitioners the freedom to evaluate, diagnose, initiate, and manage the … Read the rest