Why You Should Consider Taking A Specialist Nursing Certificate After Your Master Of Science In Nursing

Obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing is a great achievement, but choosing to specialize with a nursing certificate can be a great option. Learn why here.

Nursing is a wonderful career to get into. It enables you to learn a huge amount about medicine and healthcare, spend your days helping others during some of their most difficult times, and generally make a positive difference to people’s lives. It’s also a role with strong job prospects, employability, and financial stability, because nurses will always be needed – the current COVID-19 pandemic has certainly proven that!

In order to become a nurse, there are a few different pathways that you can take. These include diploma programs, associate degrees in nursing, and bachelor’s degrees in nursing. For those who want to aim for higher level roles, however, a master of science in nursing (MSN) is a good choice and allows for a greater level of specialization. Plus if you already have an MSN, your learning and development doesn’t need to stop there.

There are a number of different nursing certifications online that enable you to deepen your expertise and take on more substantial roles in the field of healthcare. They cover a wide range of medical specialisms, meaning that you can choose the perfect qualification for the career you want. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the nursing certifications online that are available to you, as well as the benefits of studying for one. If you decide that you’re interested in taking one or more nursing certifications online, there are also some tips at the end for how you can fit your studies around your job.

What are post-MSN nursing certificates?

Post-MSN nursing certificates are specialist courses designed for nurses who already have a master’s degree in nursing but are looking to change their role or expand their knowledge. The length of these programs varies according to which one you choose, your method of study, and which college you enroll with, but they generally take between six months and three years to complete. Some focus more on clinical skills, whereas others follow a more educational track.

In addition to the requirement to have an MSN, there may be other prerequisites to meet before you can enroll. This could include having covered certain specialist topics or short courses, or having a certain amount of experience. These types of programs are intended to prepare you for taking certification exams in specialist areas, which will then enable you to apply for higher level job roles in your chosen field.

Most courses involve taking a series of modules that are relevant to the area you’ve chosen. Some of these will be compulsory, while for others you might have a choice between a list of electives in order to make up the credit requirements. These will normally require a mix of academic and practical work. Towards the end of the nursing certifications online program you may also have to complete a larger project on an appropriate topic of your choice, under the supervision of an expert mentor. This can be a very rewarding part of the certificate, as you get to take a deep dive into a subject that is of personal interest to you and matches your career aspirations.

What areas can I earn a nursing certificate in?

As you might expect from a field as varied as this, you can earn nursing certifications online in a very wide range of specialisms. That gives you a fantastic opportunity to truly tailor your education in order to progress to the exact career that you want.

To give you a quick idea of the numerous fields that you could train in, here are some of the certificates on offer at different colleges:

• Family Nurse Practitioner – this suits those who wish to provide comprehensive healthcare throughout a patient’s entire lifespan, working with people of all ages and with a wide variety of health conditions. You’ll cover preventative measures as well as disease management and health promotion

• Nurse Educator – this is designed for those who wish to train and develop the next generation of nursing professionals, and help others to progress in their careers. You’ll cover curriculum design and education theory in addition to developing your clinical knowledge

• Adult Gerontology – this suits those who specifically want to work with adult patients who have a range of acute and chronic health conditions. It could include developing treatment plans, managing existing conditions and preventing complications, plus emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention

• Executive Nurse Leadership – this is a perfect choice for those who wish to move into a leadership role, supporting and guiding other nurses and ensuring they have a voice. You’ll learn about how to shape healthcare systems, develop policies and manage ethical issues, as well as cover topics such as finance, human resources, and informatics

• Forensic Nursing – this involves providing care for victims of abuse and trauma, as well as medical analysis for use in legal defenses to help ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted. You’ll cover issues in law and forensic science from a nursing perspective, enabling you to play a key role within the criminal justice system

• Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – this suits those who wish to work with people of all ages and backgrounds who are suffering from various mental health issues. You can cover a wide range of conditions from addiction to depression and trauma, as well as the numerous treatment options available

• Emergency Nurse Practitioner – this is a good choice for those who wish to work in emergency care settings. You’ll cover a wide range of critical healthcare conditions, and how to make diagnoses, decisions and treatment plans in ambulatory and urgent care settings

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – this suits those who wish to work with newborn infants, some of whom may be at high risk due to life-threatening conditions or chronic illnesses. You’ll cover topics such as neonatal resuscitation and care, as well as how to help parents during periods of intense stress and worry

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – this option is well suited to people who wish to work with children and young adults (plus their families) in a variety of settings. You’ll cover a range of topics in healthcare management, health promotion and disease prevention, as well as patient education

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner – this certificate covers a range of women’s healthcare issues such as pregnancy, gynecological care, contraception, sexual health, and domestic violence. You’ll cover health promotion and education as well as disease prevention and management

This is just a small sample of what’s available to study. As you can see, there are nursing certifications online that cover many different areas of healthcare, so you’re sure to be able to find a program that fits your passions and job goals.

What are the advantages of taking a nursing certification after my MSN?

There are many advantages to taking nursing certifications online after completing your MSN degree. Firstly, it’s a fantastic way to broaden and deepen your knowledge and clinical skills in an area that interests you. Lifelong learning is important in almost all industries, but particularly in healthcare where new research is constantly changing the way medical care is provided. By studying for one (or more) of these certificates, you’ll be keeping your abilities and expertise sharp. This in turn enables you to provide the best possible care for your patients.

Studying for nursing certifications online is also very helpful for your career. It can prepare you for certification exams that qualify you for higher level job roles with more responsibility and correspondingly better pay. That means you can enjoy greater job security and financial stability in addition to the personal fulfillment gained from taking on these positions. It provides you with the opportunity to not only give your individual patients a better standard of care, but also to shape the future of the healthcare system more broadly.

In addition to these specific benefits, further education brings a number of more general advantages no matter what the subject. This includes a wide range of transferable skills such as communication, time management, organization, teamwork, research abilities, analytical skills, critical thinking, and much more.

Finally, there will always be a need for highly skilled and dedicated nurses within the healthcare system, and by studying for nursing certifications online you can become one of them and make a real difference in the world.

Will I have to go back to college to get a post-MSN nursing certificate?

While these nursing certificates are normally run by colleges, the good news is that you don’t have to go back to campus in order to study for one. These days, completing nursing certifications online is becoming much more popular and viable, meaning that you can get qualified from the comfort of your own home. This enables you to study at a time and place that suits you, as well as a learning pace that’s comfortable. Many colleges offer the choice between full-time and part-time study too, so you can find an option that matches your busy lifestyle.

Taking nursing certifications online is ideal if you want to continue working while getting your qualification. You can complete all of the coursework digitally, making it easy to fit around your existing work schedule and any family responsibilities that you may have. This brings the added benefit of letting you put what you’re learning into practice immediately in your current job role.

Virtual learning also means that you’ll be exposed to the latest digital technologies, which can be a real advantage at work. Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers are starting to embrace this sort of software more, and you’ll have a safe and supportive environment in which to get used to using it.

Other benefits of studying for nursing certifications online is that tuition fees can be lower than courses based on campus, and you won’t incur any extra costs in terms of commuting or accommodation. Plus you can still network effectively online with your fellow students and the academic staff, as well as accessing all the support services your college has on offer.

Tips for fitting study around work and family life

One issue that often puts people off returning to study is the fear that it will be too challenging to complete nursing certifications online at the same time as holding down a full-time job and managing commitments to their family. While these other responsibilities can make finding time for learning a bit more tricky, they should by no means prevent you from bettering yourself and achieving your academic dreams.

Here are some top tips to help make combining school and home life a little easier:

• Organization is key. Be meticulous about knowing what reading, assignments, and other school work you need to complete and staying on top of deadlines. It helps not to leave tasks to the last minute, so you don’t become overwhelmed. A color-coded calendar can be a nice visual aid for keeping on track.

• Have a dedicated zone for studying. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an entire home office or a corner of the dining table – having a space set aside for school work sends a signal to your brain when you sit down there that it’s time to study. It can also be a helpful signal to your family too!

• Get family, friends and colleagues on board. Tell everyone that you’re planning on taking nursing certifications online, so that they can help you out, whether by watching the kids when you’re writing coursework or cutting you some slack when you’re stressed.

• Practice self-care. As a nurse you probably know this already, but looking after yourself is key. Be sure to eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and set aside time for relaxation, too. Not only is this good for your physical and mental health, it will also be beneficial for your studies.

• Ask for support when you need it. Whichever college you study with, they will have a range of support services set up for their students. The fact that you’re learning online rather than on campus doesn’t mean that you can’t use these, so be sure to find out what’s available and make the most of it. Remember you can always reach out to your professors if you’re struggling too.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes