The
health care landscape is constantly changing. As a nurse, you need to
stay on top of the latest health practices, delivery systems,
regulations, and administrative procedures. In addition, with research
indicating a clear link between higher levels of nursing education and
better patient outcomes, it's no longer a luxury to update your
knowledge; it's a necessity.
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can prepare you for leadership
and educational positions by helping you stay in the forefront of this
dynamic industry.
Why an Online MSN From Penn State?
Comprehensive Curriculum — The MSN program, offered in collaboration between Penn State World Campus and the highly respected
Penn State College of Nursing,
focuses on advanced nursing knowledge that you can put into practice
immediately. The curriculum provides you with in-depth study of human
health and development throughout the life span. You can also learn
about providing health services in diverse care settings to individuals,
families, and communities of varied cultural, ethnic, and racial
backgrounds throughout the world.
Flexibility — The online learning format offered by
Penn State World Campus meets the unique needs of working professionals
so you can fit a degree program into your life. The flexibility of
studying when and where you want can give you the opportunity to gain
new skills and knowledge while maintaining your current
responsibilities.
Recognition — Penn State's graduate nursing programs are accredited by the
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326; 404-975-5000), and the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036; 202-887-6791).
One Degree, Two Options
The core curriculum of the online MSN covers the principles of health
care policy and the leadership skills needed to influence positive
changes in health care in organizations and on a national, state, or
local level. While studying the relationships between practice and
research in the development of nursing science, you can also learn about
the health care system from global, health policy, and economic
perspectives. You will cover complex issues and trends specific to
nursing, as well as in the broader context of the health care industry,
in order to promote the health of individuals, families, and communities
throughout society.
You will then refine your studies even further by choosing one of two options in the MSN degree program.
Nurse Administrator
The courses in the Nurse Administrator option can help you gain
advanced knowledge of organizational leadership, health policy, and
evidence-based health care delivery to prepare you for leadership and
administrative roles in a variety of health care situations. The
curriculum is designed to assist you in preparing for national
certification as a nurse executive.
Nurse Educator
The Nurse Educator option can provide you with advanced knowledge of
evidence-based teaching and learning principles, curriculum development,
and evaluative techniques. After successful completion of the program,
you could be prepared for educator roles in various academic and health
care settings. In addition, the curriculum can help to prepare you for
national certification as a nurse educator.
Who Should Apply?
The online MSN program was designed for you if you:
- are a registered nurse with a valid United States RN license
- have a bachelor's degree in nursing
- want to advance in your career, either through an administrator or educator position
Career Opportunities for Graduates
Steady job growth is expected in health care for the next several
years. As a graduate of the MSN degree program, you could be qualified
for many career opportunities in hospitals, outpatient clinics,
community care facilities, mental health and substance abuse hospitals,
home health agencies, colleges/universities, and even business.
Depending on the program option you choose, positions could include:
- nurse administrator
- nurse manager
- nurse executive
- chief nursing officer
- vice president of patient care
- director of quality improvement
- health care consultant
- director of nurse education/learning
- nursing instructor/faculty
- patient educator
- staff developer
Online Education at Penn State
Penn State has a history of 100+ years of distance education and more
than a decade of experience in online learning. We strive to create an
online learning environment that brings you as close to the face-to-face
experience as possible.
Learn more about Penn State World Campus.
Distance
learning—or correspondence education, as it was more appropriately
called in its early incarnations—has been around since the 19th century
in the universities of London, but only in recent years has the concept
earned real popularity and credibility with students pursuing degrees in
the United States. Today nearly all major U.S. schools offer elements
of distance learning in their various curricula, and graduate students
in record numbers are taking advantage of the convenient option to earn a
master's degree from home.
What is distance learning?