How Advanced Nursing Education Can Help Your Career (816 hits)
By: Lanette Anderson
One of the most positive aspects of the nursing profession is the fact that there are so many choices for practice areas. We typically think of nurses as those at the bedside or on a unit in a hospital setting however many other opportunities exist which can also impact patient care in a positive way. Truly, the sky is the limit in nursing.
In addition to opportunities in practice, there are also numerous options for nurses who wish to obtain advanced education. There has been much written lately about the nursing shortage but what we may not realize is that this includes advanced practice nurses. Those who possess master’s degrees will continue to be in demand, as their specialized knowledge and skills permits them to practice in areas such as managers and consultants for health care organizations. They also may teach in many schools of nursing.
Many advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are choosing to go into private practice. The laws governing APRN practice vary from state to state however frequently they can obtain prescriptive authority from the Board of Nursing to enable them to independently prescribe some medications. They assess and treat their patients and can provide the holistic care for individuals especially in areas which are underserved by other types of health care providers. In some states a collaborative agreement with a physician is required for practice however in others this is not mandated.
APRNs may become clinical nurse specialists, providing care for patients within their specialty. They can choose to work in oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatrics and in many other areas. Certification exams for the various nursing specialties are available. Other nurses choose advanced education in areas such as midwifery and anesthesia. Both ....
