Popular Online MSN Degree Programs
Many nurses are now deciding to enter online MSN degree programs. With the 100% online format and the 24/7 access to class material, this format is rapidly becoming a popular plan due to the unmatched flexibility. In addition, advances in technology allow easy connection with classmates, even if they are scattered all over the globe.
Combine all these features with highly experienced professors who hold doctoral degrees in nursing, and you’ll find a fantastic educational option for nurses who wish to advance their careers. There are a number of popular programs in which potential students can choose from. Two of today’s more popular programs are “Leadership in Healthcare Systems” and “Clinical Nurse Educator.”
MSN: Leadership in Healthcare Systems
This program is designed for nurses who have a desire to manage and organize other nurses, providing leadership as a member of the administrative team in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare organizations. These graduates have a key role in influencing and implementing institutional policies, and could serve as a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), a Nursing Director, Nurse Manager or Program Administrator. The typical curriculum reflects the required knowledge, with courses in:
- Nursing Leadership and Health Policy – Develops comprehensive knowledge on the formulation of health policy, and how it impacts clinical practice and healthcare delivery.
- Management of Information Technology – Provides understanding of information systems and the technology that drives those systems. Addresses the use of information in making healthcare decisions.
- Financial Management of Nursing Systems – Focuses on concepts related to budgeting, staffing, forecasting and marketing to manage financial resources.
- Human Resource Management in Healthcare – Focuses on managing employees (hiring, counseling and terminating) and the training of staff. Includes issues of compensation, benefits and labor laws.
- Quality and Safety in Healthcare – Explores principles of quality management and safety for system effectiveness to improve outcomes.
For nurses interested in leadership positions, a respected resource is the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) – “the national organization of nurses who design, facilitate and manage care.” The website (http://www.aone.org/) is rich with support for future nurse leaders, including a bi-monthly newsletter (with articles and perspectives on key issues) and a bi-monthly journal (with a cover story that explores the leadership paths taken by well-known nurse leaders). AONE also offers an online career center and a large resource library.
MSN: Clinical Nurse Educator
This program is aimed at nurses who desire to combine clinical expertise and a passion for teaching into a rich and rewarding career. These graduates have a key role in facilitating the future of nursing, and could serve in adult education (staff development and/or continuing education in a healthcare facility) or higher education (teaching nursing students in a college). The typical curriculum reflects the needed knowledge, with courses in:
- Nursing Leadership and Health Policy – Develops comprehensive knowledge on the formulation of health policy, and how it impacts clinical practice and healthcare delivery.
- Management of Information Technology – Provides understanding of information systems and the technology that drives those systems. Addresses the use of information in making healthcare decisions.
- Curriculum Development in Nursing – Provides the science of teaching/learning, such as active learning, whole brain learning and engaged learning. Also reviews theories of curriculum design, creation of functional objectives, and effective instructional methods.
- Educational Technology – Prepares the educator to use computer technology in instruction and administration.
- Measurement, Evaluation and Assessment in Education – Provides the basic concepts underlying test construction and design, use administration and interpretation.
- Grant Writing and Resource Development – Explores the process behind researching and working with funders, and proposal writing.
For nurses interested in education positions, a respected resource to explore is the American Organization of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) – “the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education.” The AACN website includes information on faculty development opportunities. Examples are faculty webinars (with topics “Clinical Teaching and Evaluation” and “Scenario Development for Simulation”) and faculty toolkits.
Explore Your Options
Perhaps you have never considered online education as a viable route to an advanced degree in nursing. Today, state-of-the-art multimedia creates an interactive learning environment, with streaming video lectures, discussion boards and live chat rooms in real time. Investigate the engaged learning environment of online education and take your nursing career to the next level.
