Could a Nursing Masters Degree Transform Your Career?
Karyn Buxman calls the result of getting her master`s degree in nursing "life transforming." After completing a master`s thesis on the topic of humor, health, and communication, she became a nurse entrepreneur, speaker, author, and world-recognized expert in the field of applied and therapeutic humor.
As if that weren`t impressive enough, Karyn also publishes the Journal of Nursing Jocularity, a humor magazine for nurses, and is heavily involved with two international organizations, the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (www.aath.org), and the World Laughter Tour (www.worldlaughtertour.com). "I have written books, published articles (AJN, AORN, AACN, etc), and spoken around the world," she says. Her personal website is at www.karynbuxman.com.
Nurses like Karyn Buxman may seem so successful that you wonder if they would have accomplished the same great things regardless of their level of education. Buxman, however, definitely gives credit to her degree. "None of this would have ever been possible had it not been for getting my master`s in nursing," she says.
Create Your Own Future
Don`t think that you have to be a budding entrepreneur or have a crystal-clear long-term vision before you go after your nursing master`s degree. Sometimes opportunities appear that you didn`t even know existed. Pursuing your master`s degree can actually help you solidify your goals, as you`ll cross paths with teachers, staff and students who inspire and inform you. For example, one male nurse currently enrolled in Loyola University`s online RN-to-MSN Bridge program says, "My master`s degree is helping me understand the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Back when I was an LPN only a few years ago, I had no idea what specialty I wanted or even whether I wanted to stick with nursing. The more education I get, the clearer my goals become."
Getting Your Master`s in Nursing Degree Online
What degree program should you choose? If you`re balancing family and work commitments, you`ll want to consider accredited online nursing programs, which many nursing students extoll as being high-quality and low-cost.
Tricia Nickell recently received her MSN from Walden University`s online program. "You can work from home, it`s easily accessible, wonderful online library and numerous resources, great writing center, and doable with a full time job," she says, ticking off the advantages of an online program. "I really enjoyed this program."
Tricia`s degree had tangible benefits for her career, she says: she`s now a clinical instructor for the School of Nursing at Riverside and continues to work part-time in a Post Anesthetic Care Unit.
Tammy Gerrity, Coordinator of Clinical Education at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, got her MSN through South University`s online program. She says, "The online program allowed flexibility in my schedule. The courses had four days per week to log in to the site, but they were asynchronous, so the time was totally at your own convenience."
Tammy also appreciated the diversity of an online student body. "The students were from in and out of the country," she says, "and were able to offer invaluable perspectives into nursing."
3 Ways to Put Your MSN Degree to Work Right Away
Whether you choose to explore an online MSN degree program or opt for a traditional classroom program, you can enjoy the benefits of a master`s degree before you even graduate. Here are three ways:
1. Ask your workplace if they offer a tuition reimbursement program. Your master`s degree may cost less than you think!
2. While job hunting, mention that you are currently pursuing your master`s degree. Even job openings that stipulate graduate-level education may bend the rules if you`re close to graduation and can show related experience.
3. Connect with other graduate students on forums and blogs. Your shared goal of a master`s degree can help you forge connections in unpredictable ways.
And remember, more and more nursing specialties are starting to make a nursing master`s degree a requirement. Plan for your future. Transform your nursing career with a master`s degree!
Could A Master`s in Nursing Degree Be Right For You?
Explore Masters in Nursing Online Degree Programs
Explore accredited online Master`s in Nursing degree programs or post graduate nursing certificate programs and request additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and start dates directly from nursing schools offering programs that match your interests:
Explore Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs
Explore Online Online MSN Degree Programs
Find Nursing Schools By State
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
- M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - RN Track
- M.S. in Management - Healthcare Management
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- MS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- M.S. in Nursing/Health Care Education
- Los Angeles
- San Jose
- Online
- Gardena
- Livermore
- Woodland Hills
- Sacramento
- Pasadena
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- San Francisco
- Rancho Cordova
- Costa Mesa
- Salida
- Oakland
- Fairfield
- Lathrop
- Palm Desert
Kaplan University
Campus
Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.
Programs:- MS in Nursing
- RN to MS in Nursing
- RN to BS in Nursing
- Fort Lauderdale
Keiser University Graduate School
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, MS (Online)
- Health Services Management, Graduate Business Certificate
- Fort Lauderdale
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Nursing, MS
- Fort Lauderdale
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Campus
Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.
Programs:- Master of Science in Nursing
- Addison
Grand Canyon University
Campus
Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
- M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)
- Phoenix
The College Network
Online
Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.
Programs:- RN to MS in Nursing - Regis University (Licensed RNs only)
Western Governors University
Campus
At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
- M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)
- M.S. in Nursing - Education
- San Francisco
Independence University
Campus
You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.
Programs:- MS - Nursing Administration
- MS in Health Services - Health Promotion program
- MS - Healthcare Administration
- Salt Lake City
California College San Diego
Campus
California College San Diego (CCSD)offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.
Programs:- Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online)
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (Online)
- San Diego
- National City
- San Marcos
Saint Xavier University
Campus
Saint Xavier University is a Catholic, coeducational, comprehensive university focused on the liberal arts, and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students across the country.
Programs:- MSN in Clinical Leadership
- MSN in Executive Leadership
- Chicago
South University Online
Campus
Designed with the needs of working adult students in mind, South University, Online Programs is built on the same curriculum offered at South University's campus locations. As a student at South University, Online Programs you will receive the same degree, quality instruction, variety of learning options and level of service found at the campus locations.
Programs:- Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (RN-MSN)
- Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (MSN)
- Nursing Specialization in Nurse Administrator (MSN)
- Savannah
