Comprehensive Guide To Nursing Masters Degree Programs

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree sandwiched between the BSN and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Most MSN programs require the BSN for admission, though there are a few RN-to-MSN bridge programs. Master’s degree in nursing candidates focuses their studies on a clinical specialty like women’s health or oncology, or a career path like nursing administration or nursing education.

Pre-requisite to apply to Nursing Graduate Programs

There are some science courses that are required by most colleges offering graduate programs as prerequisites to taking up a master’s degree in Nursing. A basic knowledge on the following courses would provide entry for a student to take up Nursing Graduate Program.

• An undergraduate degree is a must, as well as most graduate programs offered in colleges and universities, require a Bachelor’s degree.
• Taking a CLEP (College Level Examination Program) is also an advantage since it conveys the applicant’s seriousness as well as showcases the students’ skills to the university or college that they are applying to.
• Student applicants are required to submit their transcript along with letters of recommendation from their superiors and/or peers in their workplace.
• GRE score: General (within the last five years; Ph.D. only) is required.
• All applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose. When writing the statement of purpose, applicants should refer to the Evaluation Criteria Form on the School of Nursing website
• International applicants from a country in which English is not the first language and medium of instruction, whether a licensed registered nurse in the U.S. or not, are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores prior to consideration for admission.
• Registered nurses who are not licensed in the United States must, prior to consideration for admission, submit verification of a passing score on both the nursing and the English sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.

Types of Degrees available in Nursing

• Associate degree in nursing
• Nursing executive programs
• Accelerated Nursing degree
• Nursing administration degree
• Masters’ degree/graduate programs in Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Nurse practitioner degree
• Ph.D. in Nursing
• Doctorate degree in Nursing
• MSN degree
• RN Nursing degree
• Dual Nursing masters’ degree programs
• Nursing informatics masters’ degree
• Master of Science in Nursing degree
• Online degrees in Nursing

Duration of Nursing Course

Most graduate programs have 2 years duration. However, there are online programs that can be taken for a year, provided that the student manages his or her time and has to make sure that he or she enrolls in all courses required for him or her to graduate.

Doctor of Nursing Science, which focuses on research and statistical methodologies, usually takes about an average of four to six years to complete, depending on the student’s availability.

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