Online Master’s Degree in Nurse Practitioning

Advanced practical nursing involves detailed training beyond that of traditional nursing programs. Nurse practitioners may work independently, treat, diagnose, and in certain circumstances, prescribe medications for patients. Nurse practitioners may also work in a hospital or other health care facilities. An online Master’s Degree in Nurse Practitioning provides the extensive coursework and practical skills needed to develop registered nurses into advanced, highly skilled nurses.

Online Master’s Degrees in Nurse Practitioning Requirements

Nurse practitioners can work independently to treat patients, or work as an administrator, researcher, and educator. Nurse practitioners may also act as consultants for public policy agencies or for critical health care issues and debate. As so many topics and areas of expertise are covered during an online nurse practitioning degree program, students should have advanced skills in all areas of nursing. Masters students should have a background in patient communication, clinical nursing and written communication. Students in online nurse practitioning masters programs should also have a great deal of compassion, understanding, and background in advocacy and skill with patients.

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

• Bachelor of Science, Nursing
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Science, Nurse Practitioning
• Bachelor of Science, Hospital Administration
• Bachelor of Science, Health Care Administration

Online Nurse Practitioning Master’s Degree Education

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

• Master of Nurse Practitioning
• Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioning
• Master of Science, Nurse Practitioning
• Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioning

Information on Nurse Practitioning Courses

As a field of study, nurse practitioning provides a broad range of theory and practice focused on the areas of critical care issues, administration responsibilities, and ethical leadership. Nurse practitioners must have advanced skill in providing quality, compassionate health care, as well as developing and maintaining an organized, efficient and ethical nursing staff. Common courses may include:

• Health Care Systems, Policy and Management
  This course analyzes the structure, junction and management of the American health care delivery system.
• Scientific Inquiry for Advanced Nursing Practice
  The course focuses on scientific and evaluative strategies including concept/theory development, research methodology, evaluation of disease, health, and evidence-based health care.
• Communication Theory and Process
  Advanced health assessment and disease prevention concepts and techniques are practiced in this course, including beginning technical skills used in clinical diagnostic procedures are included.
• 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.
• Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
  Use of pharmachotherapeutics for primary health care across the life span is practiced. Drugs used to treat and manage common illnesses and conditions are the focus of the course. Content includes indication, selection, adverse effects, and alternatives to drug therapy.

Specializations and Concentrations

An online master’s degree in nurse practitioning offers opportunities to specialize in several different fields within the nursing industry. This offers students an opportunity to focus on a particular area of nursing in which they feel especially competent and in which they wish to learn advanced skills. This is also the area in which they will focus their masters thesis or project on. For online nurse practitioning masters degree students, specializations include:

• Long-Term Pain Management
• Family Nursing
• Acute Care
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Education
• Public Policy

Careers in Nurse Practitioning

Educated, skilled employees with advanced skills and knowledge in nursing are in high demand in the current job market. Nurse practitioners hold a unique combination of skills and education, which assists in finding fulfilling and well-paying employment within the field. Graduates of an online nurse practitioning masters degree shows potential employers commitment, drive and advanced understanding of critical healthcare issues and clinical knowledge. Positions within the industry are growing at a far faster than average rate, although applicants to advanced nursing positions will experience increased competition. An online master’s degree in nurse practitioning provides applicants a strong advantage during the employment process.

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

• Clinical Nurse Practitioner
  Clinical nurse practitioners work directly with patients, managing health care needs, prescribing medication and creating long term health care plans. Nurse practitioners earn an average of $87,880 per year. Job growth is expected at a far higher than average rate.
• Clinical Nurse Practitioner, Oncology
  A clinical nurse practitioner in oncology must have advanced skills in handing critical issues relating to cancer, including drug interactions, end-of-life issues and emotional states. Oncology nurse practitioners earn an average of $92,000 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 Practitioner
  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 nurse practitioners earn an average of $87,560 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Nurse Educator
  Nurse educators plan and implement professional learning opportunities for nurses. Nurse educators earn an average of $67,000 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.

Nurse practitioning encompasses a variety of career and educational paths. In this highly specialized field, quality employees are in high demand. A nurse practitioner masters degree will provide the skills and knowledge required to pursue a wide variety of career opportunities within the medical field.