Why Study a Post Master's Certificate as a Registered Nurse?

Are you a qualified nurse who's considering higher education? You might think that because you're already qualified and working in the field, you don't need to undergo further study. However, there are several key benefits to undertaking further nursing study, as this helpful article will unpack. So, why not read on to discover what these benefits are and how registered nurses can kick-start their careers with post graduate qualifications?

Specialize in a Particular Area

Undertaking online post master's certificate nurse practitioner programs qualifies graduates to take on more responsibility in their roles. This might include specialization in a particular area of nursing. There are benefits to this, as specialized nurses have additional responsibilities and typically earn more money each year when compared to registered nurses. There are a range of different nursing specializations that you might find yourself working in as you progress your career. For instance, here are some examples:

• Geriatric nurse

• Neonatal nurse

• Psychiatric nurse

• Oncology nurse

• Anesthetic nurse

• Midwifery

• Surgical nurse

While a post master certificate is not always required for these specialized nursing roles, it will definitely give you an edge in the application process, with roles often going to those who have undertaken further post graduate studies. The knowledge and skills you'll gain in this qualification will also place you in good stead when it comes to upskilling and taking on additional responsibilities in your nursing career.

Become an Industry Leader

By studying for a post master's certificate in nurse practitioner programs, you'll set yourself apart as an industry leader. The knowledge and skills you'll gain with these qualifications will position you as a sector leader equipped with the right tools to inspire and bring out the best in your nursing colleagues. You'll have an air of seniority, and your learnings and skills will help you to lead newer nurses and provide mentoring, oversight, and practice wisdom, and impart these to junior staff. This will make you valuable to your employer, as leaders are essential in the workforce when it comes to driving results, enabling best practice development, and leading by example.

Gain a Competitive Edge for Senior Roles

Post graduate qualifications are worth looking into if you're considering one day stepping aside from direct practice roles. They will also give you a competitive edge when it comes to applying for senior roles within your workplace. One viable non-clinical career pathway for nurses in the healthcare system in the United States is to work your way up toward a management role gradually. In order to achieve this, you'll need a few years of experience in a direct healthcare setting working as a nurse in a clinical role or two.

After you've gained this valuable workplace experience, you can apply for a team leader, senior, or lead role. Then, you can work your way up through the management ranks over the years. Most healthcare management roles have oversight of clinical teams. Still, they aren't necessarily clinical roles themselves, but clinical knowledge is valuable and sought after, and your nursing experience will be vital in this regard.

There are various management roles available in different healthcare settings such as hospitals, community care providers, non-profit charities, and alcohol and other drug treatment. Some different management roles include ward unit managers, administrative managers, directors, and even executive-level management like Chief Executive or Chief Operating Officer, where a post graduate certificate or other qualification will give you a definite edge. Some nurses might even go back to study for an MBA, which they can then apply to non-clinical healthcare management roles with excellent impact in addition to specialized post graduate nursing qualifications.

Promote Opportunities for Healthcare Improvement

By studying for a post graduate nursing certificate or other qualification, you'll be able to provide key opportunities for healthcare improvement, quality improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives. This is because this high level of education will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to drive key initiatives to improve the delivery of healthcare services.

With an expert lens and insights gained from your further study, you can enact change, help shape policy, procedures, and guidelines, and give crucial insight into systems and processes to improve patient care and streamline efficiency and other key initiatives. The qualification will also give you the authority to achieve this, as you'll elevate your learning above colleagues and position yourself as a nursing expert who is able to enact these valuable insights into service delivery models and models of care.

Increase Your Job Satisfaction

Post graduate nursing qualifications will increase your job satisfaction to no end, as you'll be equipped with the relevant knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to perform your job as a nurse effectively. By specializing or working in demanding roles that a post graduate qualification requires, you'll feel excellent about the work that you do and go home each day satisfied and fulfilled by your work.

Nurses can have a high rate of burnout at work, and many leave the profession after a few years due to this. By upskilling and learning more, you're equipping yourself with knowledge and the skills to last longer as a nurse and feel better about the work that you do because you'll be in a position where your experience, voice, and knowledge matter to your employer. You can improve patient outcomes and increase your job satisfaction as a result of this.

Earn More

Post masters or post graduate qualifications will allow you to earn more than a registered or master's qualified nurse practitioner or registered nurse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increased need for specialized nurses over the next decade as the population ages and health complications arise due to this.

The salary of a highly qualified nurse ranges from $99-107,000 a year. The types of roles available with post graduate qualifications will also offer various employment perks and benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, pension plans, and various other benefits depending on the employer. You'll be in a better financial position by undertaking further study, setting yourself and your family up for a better life in the future as you earn more money with your additional responsibilities.

The Road to Greater Opportunities

This helpful article has shared all the reasons why you should study for a post master's certificate as a registered nurse. You'll be able to specialize in various fields of nursing, become an industry leader, gain a competitive edge for senior roles, drive healthcare improvement initiatives, and earn more than you would as a registered nurse.