NR 500 Week 1: The Value of a Masters Prepared Nurse
NR 500 Week 1: The Value of a Masters Prepared Nurse
NR 500 Week 1: The Value of a Masters Prepared Nurse
I completely agree with your conclusion statement regarding the value of master’s of science degrees in nursing (MSN) and that further research is needed. I have found in my own research for this assignment, that there is an underlying theme regarding lack of research on the value of MSN significance. It’s easy as nurses to see the value in a degree that not only furthers our expertise and knowledge, but our profession as a whole. It is the medical community, government, and public’s knowledge of MSN significance that needs to be raised. I believe that when a nurse is recognized as a valuable member of the healthcare community at the undergraduate and graduate level, then positive changes can and do occur. Advanced practice nurses ability to function to the full scope of their educated and science based practice is when the MSN’s value comes to light. Massimi, A., et al. (2017), suggests that master’s prepared nurses show improved 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 offer vital skill sets in education, administration, research, and advanced clinical practice at the nurse practitioner, midwife, and anesthetist level (Massimi, A., et al. 2017). I feel that this supports your discussion response that nurses with advanced degrees improve in clinical judgement with decision making and improvement of sometimes less than par current practices. Leadership skills introduced at the advanced academia level in nursing will continue to advance the profession as a whole.
Reference
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
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 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.
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.