Thinking about continuing your education to advance your career? An excellent option is a master’s degree program in nursing. Specifically, a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) provides you with advanced knowledge and skills to become a nurse leader or manage clinical settings. In short, this degree helps those looking to advance their careers and boost their earning potential.
A master’s program in nursing allows graduates to build on existing knowledge and skills by exploring an advanced specialty. It also helps students further develop their research skills or focus on leadership roles in the medical field. However, did you know you could also go beyond a master’s? Let’s say you already have an MSN. You could then pursue a post-master’s FNP online to further your skills. More education and qualifications have many benefits, letting you expand your professional opportunities. As a family nurse practitioner (FNP), you can achieve more job flexibility, a higher salary and increased opportunities.
Let’s explore why obtaining a master’s or post-master’s may be the right choice for you.
Why you should pursue an advanced degree in nursing
A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) offers many benefits for graduates seeking to further their education. Many MSN programs are designed for working nurses who already possess basic nursing skills and knowledge. The advanced knowledge gained in a master’s program can help you become a nursing leader or manager in clinical settings. A master’s or post-master’s can focus on specialties such as technology, healthcare policy, nursing education or research.
As mentioned, an advanced degree in nursing is an excellent option to boost your earning potential. For instance, a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist can earn upwards of $195,000 annually, while a general nurse practitioner’s annual salary can exceed $120,000. Furthermore, a master’s or post-master’s degree expands your career path into healthcare management, public health and executive leadership.
Many benefits come with choosing an advanced degree. Let’s explore some of those benefits next.
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Build on your basis skills and knowledge
A benefit of an advanced degree in nursing is its contribution toward your professional growth as it helps further your nursing expertise. This includes your knowledge of leadership, technology, education and research. Furthermore, an advanced degree enables you to build on your skills and expertise while emphasizing a solid foundation in the fundamentals of nursing. A degree can help you expand your knowledge of various topics. For example, you could learn more about emerging healthcare issues, policy and ethics in healthcare.
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Gain confidence and expand your career path
An online master’s degree program in nursing helps you build your confidence through acquiring advanced knowledge and skills, expanding your career options and boosting your earning power. If you already possess a degree in nursing, you may complete a master’s degree in as little as one year. If you decide to pursue a post-master’s FNP program online, you could do it in four semesters.
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Advance your career in an advanced specialty
If you are interested in caring for patients, an advanced practice nurse (APN) degree is an option to pursue. APNs are experts in their field who provide a wide range of services to patients and communities. Some of the most common APN specialties include nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. Each of these specialties requires a master’s degree, which can boost your earning potential, provide more job opportunities and help you advance in your career. For instance, you could become a nurse leader in clinical settings.
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Develop your research skills
A master’s program in nursing allows you to develop your research skills. Some programs even require the completion of a research project in order to graduate. This type of project will enable you to build your critical thinking and research skills. It can also look great on a resume and provide additional credentials. Furthermore, a capstone project may allow you to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through the degree program and could also allow you to meet thought leaders or other leaders in healthcare.
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Advance your leadership skills
Nurse leaders manage clinical settings, implement nursing practices and promote public health. An advanced degree program in nursing helps prepare you for these tasks by building your leadership skills. In fact, some programs require students to take courses in leadership or management. You learn to lead in varying settings, manage teams and navigate difficult situations. Moreover, you develop leadership skills through strategic management or organizational leadership courses.
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Increase your career earning potential
Nursing jobs are highly in-demand and also well-paying. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the demand for nurses will increase by 9% by 2030. The BLS also states that the median salary for a nurse is $77,600. The time you invest in an advanced degree like an MSN or post-master’s can pay off in terms of an increase to your career earning potential. With online learning, you also have more flexibility to complete the degrees you need.
6 reasons to get a post-master’s FNP online
Perhaps you already have a master’s but want to explore an additional advanced degree. A post-master’s FNP is an advanced practice registered nurse with specialized education, for example dealing with patients with chronic illnesses or diseases. Completing a postgraduate program is an excellent way to build on the skills you’ve gained as a registered nurse. These programs enhance your resume and make it easier to climb the career ladder.
It used to be that getting a degree required a traditional classroom setting, which could often be a hurdle for many nurses busy working demanding jobs. However, online learning has grown tremendously in recent years. As a result, many opportunities exist for professionals to keep expanding their education even while juggling work responsibilities.
Getting your FNP degree online lets you continue working while also giving you the flexibility to schedule study time around your work and home life. As you know, completing a postgraduate program allows you to further your knowledge base as a registered nurse and enhance your resume and future career prospects. In a world with lots of uncertainty, it’s always smart to keep your options open.
As an advanced practice registered nurse with specialized education, an FNP can choose to work in administration or continue to care for patients. If you’re interested in becoming a degreed FNP, keep reading to find out why now’s a perfect time to start. Remember, getting your FNP degree online lets you continue working while also giving you flexibility. The following are six reasons why getting your FNP online is beneficial.
1. You can treat a broader range of conditions and illnesses
One of the biggest benefits of becoming an FNP is that you can treat a broader range of illnesses and conditions, such as chronic pain, allergies, asthma, COPD and more. In some cases, an FNP may be the only person in the office that can treat specific diseases or provide care.
Because they have acquired more advanced knowledge and skills in treating chronic diseases, an FNP can treat a broader range of conditions and illnesses than a registered nurse. As a result, an FNP can provide more in-depth and personalized patient care. As a compassionate career nurse, that’s something that you and your patients can appreciate.
Additionally, depending on state regulations, an FNP may prescribe medications and refer patients to specialists for more complex health issues. That ability dramatically benefits patients dealing with chronic conditions. Plus, you have the knowledge and skills to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. While you treat illnesses, you could also provide counsel on leading a healthier life.
2. You provide better care for patients with chronic conditions
Another benefit of becoming an FNP is increasing your ability to provide better care for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension. These patients often deal with a wide variety of symptoms and complications. Thus, as an FNP, you offer these patients a higher level of care. For example, you can prepare better treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor patient progress. In addition, you can also provide patients with a higher level of emotional support.
Being able to offer better care for patients with chronic conditions is one of the biggest benefits of becoming an FNP. As an FNP, providing better care for patients with chronic conditions is essential. In the years to come, there will be a greater need for advanced knowledge and skills in treating chronic illnesses among our aging population.
With advances in medicine, we know that one size does not fit all. Even if you have people with similar backgrounds and conditions, we must tailor healthcare. If you become an FNP, you tailor your care plan for each patient based on their needs and symptoms. As a result, you can ensure that each patient gets the care they need and deserve. And isn’t that what you want to achieve as a professional in healthcare?
3. It makes you a more desirable candidate for jobs
When applying for jobs, making yourself as desirable as possible is essential. One of the best ways to do this is by obtaining higher-level certifications and degrees. Becoming an FNP definitely differentiates you from other candidates in healthcare and makes you stand out to prospective employers.
In addition to improving the quality of care you can provide patients, working as an FNP also makes it easier to advance your nursing career and find jobs, especially in competitive areas. As an FNP, you have acquired more advanced medical expertise and may also have more extensive experience in treating patients with chronic illnesses.
One of the primary reasons people get advanced degrees is to become a more attractive job candidate. The reality is that depending on your community, nurses with an FNP degree are a rare commodity. Moreover, these specialists are in high demand due to the growing need for more healthcare professionals. As a result, this online degree makes you highly desirable among employers looking for an FNP to hire.
4. It will build your resume
Another plus of becoming an FNP is that it builds your resume, which is an important step in your nursing career. The more education you have listed, the more likely you are to get hired for a job, and becoming an FNP allows you to add a new certification to your resume.
Moreover, post-master’s FNP online degrees can take as little as four semesters. That means you can finish the program and have another degree in a relatively short time. Also, you don’t have to quit your job because learning happens online, so you won’t have any gaps in your resume.
Ultimately, a new degree on your resume is vital for advancing your nursing career. Postgraduate programs are a great way to build your resume and showcase your skills and experience. In short, they demonstrate that you care about your job and want to improve your knowledge base and expertise. When people go through the effort of completing an advanced degree, it shows that they are committed to their field of work.
5. It’s flexible and convenient
Another benefit of obtaining an FNP degree online is its flexibility and convenience, as it lets you continue working at your current job. The reality is that many people can’t quit to pursue an education full time. They need the flexibility of an online degree program that allows them to continue to work.
With an FNP online program, you can complete your courses from home or during work breaks. These online programs offer flexible class times and schedules, giving you more options for maintaining your work schedule.
It used to be that you had to make your schedule around the traditional classroom setting, but that’s no longer the case. When you get your FNP degree online, you schedule and fit your study time around work and home life. It makes it easier to balance your busy schedule and allows you to complete your coursework at your own pace. You can also access course materials whenever you want, from any device, no matter your location
6. You’ll be in high demand
If you become a degreed FNP, you’ll be in high demand. With a growing senior population, those needing treatment for chronic illnesses will continue to rise, as will the need for advanced degree nurses. As a result, becoming a FNP lets you provide better care for patients with more severe illnesses. This makes you more desirable and necessary in various healthcare settings.
The more specialized your knowledge and skills, the greater the demand for your expertise. That’s another reason why becoming an FNP is a great career path. Moreover, you could serve on the leading edge of change with technological advances as healthcare becomes increasingly tech focused. Therefore, an advanced degree provides you with more critical knowledge in this area.
The higher degree you obtain, the rarer you are as a commodity. In other words, the more advanced the degree, the fewer people possess it. Getting a post-master’s FNP online can only improve your work options. Furthermore, if you want to switch to a leadership role, it allows you to do so. In short, it’s an excellent choice for advancing your nursing career.
Advance in your career and specialty with a master’s and post-master’s FNP
A master’s degree in nursing is an excellent option for nurses who want to further their career in an advanced specialty. An MSN is well suited for working nurses who already have great nursing skills and knowledge. The more credentials you have, including degrees, the better. A master’s or post-master’s degree in nursing helps boost your earning potential, advance your career path and increase your leadership skills.
For many, choosing to complete an online FNP program is a great decision. Getting your FNP degree lets you treat various conditions and illnesses. It helps you provide better care for patients with chronic diseases and makes you a more desirable candidate for jobs. Finally, it’s flexible and convenient, and it’s also in high demand. With a growing aging population, it’s a career path that promises continuous employment. If you want to pursue a degree with more flexibility, then choosing to get your FNP degree online is a great decision.
