Online Master’s Degree in Clinical Nursing

Clinical nurses manage health care within a particular area of the industry, including patient care, nursing personnel issues and organizational leadership. An online Master’s Degree in Clinical Nursing provides expertise in each of these spheres, while also providing an opportunity to develop a particular skill in a specialization of interest. As online coursework can be completed at a patient’s discretion, employment can often be maintained during the masters program, providing students with a practical arena to develop specific skills.

Online Master’s Degrees in Clinical Nursing Requirements

Online masters degrees in clinical nursing require advanced skills in all areas of nursing. Students should have a strong background in patient contact and communication skills, chart notes skills, physiology and some knowledge of personnel or public policy issues. Clinical nursing requires individuals to have a unique combination of organization, attention to detail, confidence in patient and doctor communication and experience with basic nursing responsibilities. Students with a background in these areas will achieve success in an online clinical nursing master’s degree.

Online masters in clinical nursing require a bachelor’s degree before application. Common bachelor’s degrees held prior to pursuing an online master in clinical nursing include:

• Bachelor of Science, Nursing
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Science, Clinical Nursing
• Bachelor of Science, Hospital Administration
• Bachelor of Science, Healthcare Administration

A background in nursing, healthcare administration or personnel management are important prior to applying to an online masters degree program in clinical nursing. Many students have prior experience in these areas, and concurrently work and participate in a degree program. Common careers for students in a clinical nursing online masters degree program include registered nurses, nursing coordinators or human resources specialists in nursing.

Online Clinical Nursing Master’s Degree Education

Good online master’s degree programs in clinical nursing typically take between 2 to 3 years to complete. The types of clinical nursing degrees offered by the best clinical nursing master’s programs online include:

• Master of Nursing, Clinical Nursing
• Master of Science, Clinical Nursing

Information on Clinical Nursing Courses

As a field of study, clinical nursing provides a broad range of theory and practice focused on the areas of coordination, patient care and human resources. Clinical nurses must have skills in providing quality, compassionate healthcare as well as in developing and maintaining an organized, efficient and ethical nursing staff. Coursework in a top clinical nursing online masters program provides extensive knowledge and skill in these areas. Common courses include:

• Management of Specialty Populations
  Students analyze data from multiple sources, develop population-based programs of care and evaluate outcomes in the context of specialty populations. Focus is on the specialty population and how to use nursing personnel and organizations to produce quality, cost-effective outcomes for populations.
• Physical Assessment and Diagnosis
  This course focuses on theoretical and practical principles of holistic advanced health assessment across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on methods of comprehensive data gathering and analyses, including history taking and physical examination, screening for common diseases, diagnostic procedures and clinical decision-making.
• Communication Theory and Process
  This course focuses on communication as a process essential to the nurse-client relationship as well as professional nursing practice. The student is provided with basic theoretical concepts related to therapeutic communication skills and strategies.
• Strategic Planning and Information Management in Health Care
  This course acquaints students with the processes, tools and techniques of strategic planning that will enable them to manage their patient population and to contribute effectively to strategic thinking and action in health systems.
• Health Care Leadership, Values, and Social Justice
  This online course examines leadership theories, corporate ethics, values-focused strategies and principles of social and health care justice that can be actualized across the spectrum of health care settings. Synthesis of the literature is required to support development of a clinical project relevant to a health care setting.

Specializations and Concentrations

An online master’s degree in clinical nursing focuses on three key areas that impact professionals in this field: nursing coordination, personnel and advanced patient care. After required courses are completed, students often develop a concentration that fits specific future professional employment plans. For online clinical nursing masters degree students, specializations include:

• Advance Patient Care
• Human Resource Management
• Resource Management
• Organizational Leadership
• Nursing Education

Careers in Clinical Nursing

Public policy changes in regards to healthcare have created an environment in which skilled and educated nurses are in demand. Graduates of an online clinical nursing masters degree shows potential employers commitment, drive and advanced understanding of critical healthcare issues. Positions within the industry are growing at far faster than average rate, although applicants to advanced nursing positions will experience increased competition. An online master’s degree in clinical nursing provides applicants a strong advantage during the employment process.

Graduates of top online master’s programs in clinical nursing may pursue the following career opportunities:

• Clinical Nurse
  Clinical nurses manage advanced patient care, typically for a specialty group such as HIV patients, families with end-of-life issues or long-term diabetes management. Clinical nurses with advanced degrees also act as mentors for RNs or LPNs new to the field. Clinical nurses earn an average of $87,880 per year. Job growth is expected at a far higher than average rate.
• Human Resources Manager, Nursing Staff
  Human resource managers for nursing staff handle daily staff issues, labor union relationships and recruitment/termination of nursing staff. A strong understanding of the nursing profession and responsibilities is expected; thus, a clinical nursing masters degree is vital. Nursing human resource managers earn an average of $88,230 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Nursing Program Manager
  Nursing program managers handle administrative issues relating to a particular specialty within the field, such as charity clinics, breast cancer or gynecology. A nursing program manager earns an average of $72,000 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Public Health Nurse
  Public health nurses work in community clinics and educate the public on critical health issues. They manage patient care, refer to specialty doctors, and create long term medical plans for those with critical care needs. Public health nurses earn an average of $73,550 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Nurse Educator
  Nurse educators plan and implement professional learning opportunities for nurses. A masters degree is required for this position. Nurse educators earn an average of $67,000 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.

Clinical nursing encompasses a variety of career and educational paths. In this highly specialized field, quality employees are in demand. An online master’s degree in clinical nursing is an essential element in a fulfilling career.