The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1
The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1
The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1
The healthcare industry has become dynamic and the nursing profession has consequently had to align with it. The shortage of nurses that has manifested in various healthcare areas as well as increasing costs makes it fundamental for the profession to advance. The leadership and management of healthcare facilities also require advanced knowledge and competencies, which makes it important for nurse managers and other healthcare professionals to acquire advanced competencies (Kelly, Watson, Watson, Needham, & Driscoll, 2017). Therefore, the complex nature of the contemporary nursing profession demands for nurses to advance their education by undertaking postgraduate degrees so as to gain the requisite competence and skills.
The value of a masters prepared nurse to the profession is unquestionable. Given their advanced knowledge and skills, such nurses enhance the quality of care offered to patients. Consequently, this leads to improved patient outcomes. Moreover, masters prepared nurses have superior decision-making and critical thinking skills. Postgraduate-prepared nurses similarly demonstrate leadership qualities that equips them with knowledge to challenge poor nursing practices (Wangensteen et al., 2018). The outcome of such an empowerment entails enhanced patient outcomes in healthcare settings. Similarly, advancing education to the master’s level empowers nurses with important clinical skills that makes them comfortable regarding advanced clinical undertakings.
Therefore, advancing the level of education of a nurse has innumerable benefits to one as an individual
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The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse NR 500 Week 1
and healthcare settings. The clarity and effectiveness of communication gained from pursuing the postgraduate education ensures that such nurses possess superior clinical, leadership, and research skills (Massimi et al., 2017). These skills are necessary and important when it comes to providing safe healthcare to patients. The advanced clinical skills gained from the mastrs degree also ensures that nurses can comfortably handle complex issues in a health care setting. As such, it is advisable for nurses to increase their knowledge and competence by pursuing further studies.
The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1 References
Kelly, J., Watson, R., Watson, J., Needham, M., & Driscoll, L. O. (2017). Studying the old masters of nursing: A critical student experience for developing nursing identity. Nurse education in practice, 26, 121-125.
Massimi, A., Marzuillo, C., Muzio, M., Vaccio, M., D’Andrea, E., Villari, P., De Vito, C. (2017). Quality and relevance of master degree education for the professional development of nurses and midwives. Nurse Education Today, 53(2017), 54-60. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2017.04.012
Wangensteen, S., Finnbakk, E., Adolfsson, A., Kristjansdottir, G., Roodbol, P., Ward, H., & Fagerström, L. (2018). Postgraduate nurses’ self-assessment of clinical competence and need for further training. A European cross-sectional survey. Nurse education today, 62, 101-106.
When discussing differentiating factors of a master’s-prepared nurse compared to that of a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, the most obvious difference is the level of formal education. However, the most important difference between these two nurses are evident within their practice, which sets them apart in the clinical field. Master’s-prepared nurses often practice as a nurse practitioner, where they practice with a higher level of autonomy than those with a baccalaureate degree (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 328). Nurse practitioners are required to have at least a master’s degree to “assess and manage patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems†in their routine practice (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 328). The master’s degree of nursing programs reflects mastery of higher level of critical thinking than at the baccalaureate level, as well as the understanding of complete, holistic care (AACN, 2011, p. 7). Therefore, master’s-degree nurses are shown to not only have more formal education, but also a more expansive clinical skill set, more critical thinking skills, and the legal capability to diagnose and treat patients as providers, compared to that of a baccalaureate-prepared nurse.
There is a significant amount of literature supporting the value of a master’s degree in nursing. A common theme amongst this literature discusses improved delivery of care and patient outcomes with increased involvement of master’s-prepared nurses in the health care system (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 333). The evidence also suggests that master’s-prepared nurses positively influence nursing practice due to the higher level of critical thinking, leadership expertise, and leadership skills from the master’s-prepared nurses (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 333). Every nurse’s goal is to improve patient outcomes and delivery of care in the healthcare system, and this evidence suggests that master’s-prepared nurses are top performers amongst their nurse colleagues in these categories.
According to a concept analysis study, nurse competencies can be categorized into three different theories including behaviorism, trait theory, and holism (Fukada, 2018). Behaviorism includes performance of individual core skills, trait theory considers the competencies required to complete specific tasks, such as critical thinking skills, and holism views competency as a cluster of elements (Fukada, 2018). I believe that holism is the most essential professional competency for a master’s-prepared nurse practicing in the twenty-first century. Furthermore, holism requires applying skills, attitudes, knowledge and critical thinking to unique situations (Fakuda, 2018). I believe that holism is the most essential competency because approaching patient situations with a holistic perspective is what makes nurses unique amongst other providers in the interdisciplinary team. Nurses are specially trained to look at the patient as a whole human, not just for his or her medical diagnoses.
The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1 References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The essentials of master’s education in nursing. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/MastersEssentials11.pdfLinks to an external site.
Clark, L., Casey, D., & Morris, S. (2015). The value of master’s degrees for registered nursesLinks to an external siteLinks to an external site.. British Journal of Nursing, 24(6), 328-334. https://doi-org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/10.12968/bjon.2015.24.6.328Links to an external site.
Fukada M. (2018). Nursing Competency: Definition, Structure and Development. Yonago acta medica, 61(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.33160/yam.2018.03.001
Consider the current models of healthcare delivery and practice settings. Consider how nursing practice is changing in response to current healthcare system demands and respond to one of the following questions:
What distinguishes a master’s-prepared nurse’s practice from that of a baccalaureate-prepared nurse?
What is the worth of a nursing master’s degree?
What do you believe is the most important professional competency for a master’s-prepared nurse practicing in the twenty-first century?
Consult the AACN Essentials, the NLN competencies, and the CCN Nursing Conceptual Framework. Use at least one outside scholarly article to back up your claim. Give an example of an application to professional practice.
I completely agree with your conclusion statement about the importance of master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degrees and the need for additional research. In my own research for this assignment, I discovered an underlying theme about a lack of research on the value of MSN significance. As nurses, it’s easy to see the value in a degree that not only advances our expertise and knowledge, but also our profession as a whole. It is necessary to increase the medical community’s, government’s, and public’s understanding of the importance of MSN. Positive changes can and do occur when a nurse is recognized as a valuable member of the healthcare community at the undergraduate and graduate levels, in my opinion.
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The ability of advanced practice nurses to function to the full scope of their educated and science-based practice is when the MSN’s value is revealed. According to Massimi et al. (2017), master’s prepared nurses have higher levels of confidence and cognitive abilities in their practice. Being able to attain advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills not only betters current practice but future practice as well. In my 20 years in the nursing profession, I know that my own confidence and ability to handle stressful situations at work has grown tremendously. The ability to problem solve, think outside of the box, and communicate clearly but effectively are valuable qualities that I believe an MSN can enhance for myself and nurses alike. MSN programs provide critical skill sets in education, administration, research, and advanced clinical practice for nurse practitioners, midwives, and anesthetists (Massimi et al. 2017). This, I believe, supports your discussion response that advanced-degreed nurses improve clinical judgment with decision making and the improvement of sometimes subpar current practices. Leadership skills taught at the advanced academic level in nursing will help the profession as a whole.
When examining the difference between practicing with a BSN degree versus a MSN degree, it appears that the BSN degree limits advancement in the nursing field. The BSN degree allows the nurse to practice safely and competently, using the obtained knowledge and critical thinking skills, while incorporating these skills with evidence-based practice. However, a BSN degree comes with limitations when seeking advanced nursing roles. The mastered prepared nurse obtains essential leadership skills, which are utilized in the clinical setting, education/teaching, administration, healthcare policies, and informatics. The knowledge base and use of leadership skill set differentiates the MSN prepared nurse from the BSN prepared nurse (Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2016).
The nurse with a master’s degree can have a positive impact in the delivery of patient care and outcomes. Critical thinking skills are enhanced, and the essential leadership skill previously stated, clearly improve the delivery and outcomes for patients in the ever changing healthcare system. The MSN degree autonomizes and empowers the master’s prepared nurse to challenge the quality and delivery of care, and how it best can affect patient outcomes (American Associations of Colleges of Nursing 2011).
As I move forward in my FNP program I feel Informatics and Healthcare Technologies, Essential V, is forever changing and will impact my role as an FNP. The value that I appreciate the most in my practicing is safely as a nurse, and incorporated into Essential V the use of electronic health records. The integration of health records will allow for optimum continuity of care for improving wellness, sickness, and overall health care for patients. Technology has a waited focus on data analysis, communication, health management/education, and health care records, which helps us as providers deliver the highest level of care. Technology is rapidly changing, and it is necessary for the master’s prepared nurse to have the knowledge base to improve the safety and delivery of evidence-based practice to our patients Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2016).
The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1 References :
American Associations of Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The essentials of master’s education in nursing. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/MastersEssentials11.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2016). Chamberlain college of nursing masters of science in nursing conceptual framework. Retrieved from https://www.chamberlain.edu/docs/default-source/academics-admissions/catalog.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Clark L, Casey D, Morris S. The (Links to an external site.)value (Links to an external site.) of Master’s (Links to an external site.)degrees (Links to an external site.) for registered nurses. The (Links to an external site.)value (Links to an external site.) of Master’s (Links to an external site.)degrees (Links to an external site.) for registered nurses. (Links to an external site.)
The Value of Master Prepared Nurse
Evidence demonstrates the relationship between a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) in advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) and improved patient outcomes. The Master’s-prepared nurse contributes to developing and leading specialized nursing practice. MSN programs equip nurses with advanced academic knowledge and skills in applying theory to clinical practice, and students are usually required to carry out a research project (Wilkinson et al., 2018). The MSN nurses apply the specialized knowledge and skills to improve patient care delivery and support the achievement of organizational objectives, including delivering quality patient care.
MSN-prepared nurses employ their extensive expertise, networks, and knowledge in health care to create a pivotal role that fosters nursing practice. An MSN degree equips nurses with enhanced communication and nursing practice, enabling them to act as role models and facilitate quality patient care (Kjellaas et al., 2020). Thus, it is evident that an MSN degree has a role surpassing the defined nursing specialist or advanced practice skills. Furthermore, the MSN degree equips nurses with leadership skills empowering nurses to become more effective leaders and take leadership positions in organizations and healthcare systems. An MSN also supports nurses’ increased confidence and self-esteem in decision-making and implementing patient care interventions (Kjellaas et al., 2020). For instance, MSN nurses demonstrate increased confidence to question treatment decisions, positively impacting patient care.
Critical thinking is crucial for MSN nurses to engage in safe, competent, and autonomous practice. The MSN degree improves nurses’ critical thinking and decision-making in clinical practice. Nurses who have completed MSN programs demonstrate higher critical thinking scores in problem-solving, decision-making, inference, evaluative thinking, and reasoning (Wilkinson et al., 2018). This translates to patient benefits, including improved management of conditions, reduced length of stay, and improved patient satisfaction with the nurses’ knowledge, skills, and individual qualities.
The Value of a Master’s-Prepared Nurse : NR 500 Week 1 References
Kjellaas, S., Fredheim, G., & Moen, Ø. L. (2020). Registered nurses’ experiences with master’s degree competence in the specialist health service: A qualitative descriptive study. Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 40(4), 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057158520946
Wilkinson, J., Carryer, J., & Budge, C. (2018). Impact of postgraduate education on advanced practice nurse activity–a national survey. International Nursing Review, 65(3), 417-424. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12437
Dr. White,
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the Institute of Medicine, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Tri-Council for Nursing, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching all agree: Nurses must strive for higher levels of education to enhance the quality of care available to our nation’s varied patient population groups and to make skilled healthcare services more accessible.
In as much as every competency is as important as the other, i found leadership competency as the most important. Leadership competency is able to assume advanced leadership roles, advocate for improved healthcare access and quality, and provide/demonstrate leadership. Leadership competency is useful in the identification of possible areas for growth. Aspiring nurse leaders can use them in planning personal preparation for their careers. Health care organizations may utilize them as a guideline for job descriptions, expectations and evaluations of nurse leaders. Nurse educators can utilize them as a curriculum guideline for the educational preparation of nurses seeking expertise and knowledge in executive practice. Effective nursing leadership competency, creates a positive work environment where others are motivated, inspired, and supported to achieve organizational goals.
New AACN Data Confirm that More Nurses Are Advancing Their Education – a Trend that Enhances Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality. (2013). Dakota Nurse Connection, 11(3), 28.
Schub, E. B., & Balderrama, D. M. (2017). Effective Nursing Leadership: Performing. CINAHL Nursing Guide,
Important information for writing discussion questions and participation
Welcome to class
Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to
I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you.
Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted.
If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations.
Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements.
Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.
I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!
Hi Class,
Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.
Contact me if you have any questions.
Important information on Writing a Discussion Question
Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
Include in-text citations in your response
Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
Follow APA-7th edition
Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor
A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
Follow APA 7th edition
Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
Here are some helpful links
Student paper example
Citing Sources
The Writing Center is a great resource
Participation Guidelines
Each weekly threaded discussion is worth up to 25 points. Students must post a minimum of two times in each graded thread. The two posts in each individual thread must be on separate days. The student must provide an answer to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week. If the student does not provide an answer to each graded thread topic (not a response to a student peer) before the Wednesday deadline, 5 points are deducted for each discussion thread in which late entry occurs (up to a 10-point deduction for that week). Subsequent posts, including essential responses to peers, must occur by the Sunday deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT of each week.
Direct Quotes
Good writing calls for the limited use of direct quotes. Direct quotes in Threaded Discussions ar
