Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) certificate is a post-graduate degree in nursing. It was first introduced by US universities for nurses with baccalaureate degrees who wanted to move up the career ladder. Post MSN Certificate For Nurses helps nurses gain leadership positions, increasing their salaries and improving working conditions. By obtaining this post-graduate nurse certification, nurses will be able to work as nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, or nurse faculty members. Here, some of the benefits of having this certificate are discussed.
#1: Increase Salary
One of the best perks of having a post-graduate certificate like MSN is an increased salary. The median annual salary of an RN ranges from $48k to $65k whereas that of a Nurse Anesthetist is $120k to $140k according to payscale.com. The average salary of physicians Specializing in Interventional Pain Management range from $94K to $176K. MSN certificate holders are eligible for earning more money as they are able to deliver better quality of care, increasing the value of their work.
Furthermore, this benefit of having a post MSN certificate comes at very little cost or risk. This is because post MSN certificate programs online can easily be obtained at one’s own convenience without taking time off from work or quitting an ongoing job. All the credits earned under this program are entirely transferable so these courses are guaranteed to provide maximum benefit no matter how or where they are applied.
#2: Advancement To New Roles
By obtaining post MSN certificates, nurses can move up on the career ladder and take over new leadership roles in the healthcare industry. According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Nurse Anesthetists replace anesthesiologists in operating room settings because of better patient outcomes, decreased hospital costs, and shorter recovery time at lower costs. Nurses with MSN degrees have also been observed to deliver routine care with less physician supervision. With this certification, nursing opportunities open up for MSN degree holders in interventional pain management, nurse anesthesia etcetera.
Also, the time comes for nurses to take on leadership roles within health care facilities, those who do not already possess a post MSN usually find themselves at a disadvantage because hospitals and clinics like their leaders to be as highly educated as possible. The added education provided by earned certificates is often one of the deciding factors when hospitals consider hiring new doctors.
#3: Increased Job Security
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the number of RNs is expected to grow by 15% by 2026, which indicates a strong job market for nurses. Therefore, it is always good to have a post-graduate degree certification in nursing, which provides a competitive advantage over other nurses who do not have this certification. It also increases the value of work done by nurses so they are less likely to lose their job. The employment rate for nurse anesthetists is almost 100%, while that of family and general practitioners is fluctuating around 90%.
In addition, nurses who have earned a post MSN certificate are also more likely to remain with an organization for longer periods of time than those without one. This is because they tend to be happier and less stressed, which makes them better able to provide the best care possible for their patients. Furthermore, having already achieved additional education as well as higher pay increases job security even further so that nurses will not need to look for work elsewhere if they become dissatisfied with their current situation.
#4: Better Working Conditions And Advance Healthcare Reforms
With more responsibilities and higher positions come better working conditions, including flexible work hours, increased job security, increased pay, and leadership roles. These benefits, when realized, make jobs more desirable and nurse educators may opt to work part-time in academia rather than full-time in a clinical area. The healthcare reforms aim at providing better care for patients by encouraging nurses to take on new roles such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, etc.
#5: Improve Practice Skills And Knowledge
The practice of medicine has been divided into various specialties with distinct skill sets needed for each of them which require post-graduate certifications from an institution recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Ag (NCCA). For example, certification in gerontology nursing allows nurses to work with older adults in their homes and healthcare institutions. These advanced skills improve the quality of care by the nurse practitioners who are able to contribute more when it comes to patient care, because of their enhanced knowledge.
#6: Discover New Interests And Areas Of Expertise
There are many certificate programs that are open for nurses wishing to advance themselves through post-graduate study in order to diversify their interests. For example, Certified Nurse Midwife is a registered nurse’s specialization that focuses on pregnancy, reproductive health, and women’s health issues at large. This course also provides training for childbirth and family planning procedures which helps nurses discover new career opportunities within the healthcare industry. There are many other certifications available for nurses to pursue, which help them discover areas of expertise and boost their professional credentials.
Nurse educators and working nurses should consider pursuing a post-graduate degree in nursing as it provides many benefits such as increased productivity, job security, and opportunities for advancement. The demand for nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists is high and these fields of study further help improve patient care by allowing more direct access to medical professionals.