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Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing
Advanced practice nursing programs from accredited universities and colleges. |
Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing
Nurses have many opportunities for career advancement and diversity. They may be starting their careers at the bedside, gaining valuable clinical experience and learning essential lessons in human behavior, but many nurses are choosing to explore advanced professional roles and responsibilities.
Advanced practice nursing consists of nurses who have earned Master's degrees in nursing and work in advanced roles. Presently within the nursing profession, there are four separate advanced practice specialty areas: nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. However, there are several specialties that require advanced clinical knowledge and skills through graduate level education. These are Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), RN First Assistant (RNFA), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and Nurse Psychotherapist.
As mentioned, most APNs will hold a Master's degree and have specialized training. RNs who don't have a BSN can enroll in bridge programs that provide the necessary education and preparation to earn the MSN. Such programs help reduce the amount of time to earn the degrees. Many of the advanced and specialized nursing professions can require certification after completion of education and training. The additional education and training prepare nurses for a rewarding career. APNs enjoy advanced and specialized work, more autonomy, and higher salaries, which can reach six figures, depending on specialty and location. Nurses can also pursue certificate and degree programs that prepare them for nursing specializations such as Legal Nurse Consultant, Forensic Nurse, Case Manager, Informatics Specialist. These professions offer growing career opportunities and rewarding salary potential.
Career Advancement
Clinical |
Degree Preferred (P) or
Required (R) |
Median Salary Range * |
| Case Manager |
BSN (P) |
$45,261 - $74,121 |
| Clinical Nurse Manager |
BSN (P), MSN (P) |
$47,932 - $88,188 |
| Nurse Educator (CNE) |
BSN (R), MSN (P) |
$45,285 - $73,132 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) |
MSN (R) |
$51,997 - $92,628 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
MSN (R) |
$59,824 - $90,158 |
| Nurse Midwife (CNM) |
MSN (R) |
$60,767 - $94,371 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) |
MSN (R) |
$97,198 - $159,991 |
| Public Health Nurse (PHN) |
BSN (R), MSN (P) |
$62,113 - $73,333 |
| Registered Nurse, First Assist (RNFA) |
MSN (R) |
$52,000 - $79,327 |
Career Advancement
Non-Clinical |
Degree Preferred (P) or
Required (R) |
Median Salary Range * |
| Legal Nurse Consultant |
Certificate (R) |
$64,400 - $77,500 |
| Informatics |
MSN (R) |
$39,236 - $103,771 |
Source: New Jersey Hospital Association, 2009
* Salary figures provided by Payscale. Range based on years of experience from less than 1 year to 20+ years.
This site offers nursing programs that are accredited by CCNE and/or NLNAC.
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| Online Schools offering Nursing Programs |
| Chamberlain College of Nursing
Nursing - MSN  
Chamberlain offers two tracks for the Nursing MSN program.
The Executive track builds the foundational skills essential to nurse leaders. Courses in the MSN Executive track include the foundations of organizational leadership, including managerial communication, organizational change, and decision-making. Students also complete a leadership practicum, allowing them to develop leadership skills.
The Educator track includes courses designed to prepare students to teach in an academic or clinical-practice setting. Courses in the MSN Educator track include educational foundations, instructional methods, program assessment and evaluation, and curriculum development.
Nursing - RN to BSN
Registered nurses with an associate's degree or nursing diploma may complete the Chamberlain Fast-Track RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Program (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), which allows them to complete their education in an environment designed for adult learners. This flexible online program allows registered nurses to advance their nursing careers by earning a BSN degree in as few as 3 semesters. The program combines the flexibility and ease of online learning with no on-site clinical requirements. Advantages include the convenience of scheduling, focus on core concepts applicable to professional settings, respect for previous work experience and interaction with peers who share similar professional experiences and values. Online RN to BSN students will participate in experiential learning projects within their course work. Generous transfer credit opportunities available. RN's with an unrestricted license can receive over 80 transfer hours towards their BSN degree. The online RN to BSN program is accredited by both NLNAC and CCNE.
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Sacred Heart University  Clinical Nurse Leaders - MSN
Sacred Heart University's CCNE accredited online master's in nursing is a highly innovative and challenging program designed to meet the needs of the working career nurse seeking superior clinical, administrative, and educational skills to move into management roles or positions with more autonomy. This specialization focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill this new and evolving role, such as evaluating patient outcomes, assessing risk, and coordinating with other health care professionals to ensure high quality care. The program prepares students to sit for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing CNL Certificate Exam. Even those students who are not interested in the CNL position can benefit from the integrated knowledge offered in this specialization.
Sacred Heart University also offers:
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Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing  Nursing : Nurse-Midwifery - MSN
In the ACME accredited Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP), students complete a self-directed, modular course of study over two to three years. The classroom is the community in which the student lives. During the clinical practicum, CNEP students work closely with the certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in their community. The FSMFN has preceptor sites across the United States with more added on a regular basis. The CNEP curriculum has a strong academic and clinical basis. In addition, the CNEP curriculum is unique in that it educates students not only to be nurse-midwives, but also to be entrepreneurs focusing on community assessment, market research, birth center development, and budgeting for a successful practice. The CNEP also has a strong primary care component which prepares students to take care of women across the life span. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and a post-master's certificate are offered in the nurse-midwifery specialty track.
Nurse-Midwifery - Post-Master Certificate
Post Masters Certificates are an option for nurses with a Master's of Science in Nursing Degree to build upon the previous masters degree by adding the midwifery specialty. This program has a strong curriculum and clinical component. The community is the classroom and students work with CNMs in their communities to complete the clinical portion of the program. The nurse-midwifery certificate program is accredited by ACME.
Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing also offers:
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| University of Phoenix
Nurse Practitioners - MSN
The Master of Science in Nursing for Nurse Practitioners (MSN for Nurse Practitioners) program is a graduate degree completion option for nurse practitioners with baccalaureate-degree preparation. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, this online program enables them to enhance their educational qualifications and complete their graduate degrees in nursing without leaving their current employment or home communities. Coursework addresses advanced nursing content and process, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research.
Nursing - MSN
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses with baccalaureate-degree preparation. This online program addresses functioning in leadership roles in practice and educational settings. Coursework covers advanced nursing content and process, as well as leadership skills.
University of Phoenix also offers:
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| Walden University
Nursing - BSN
Walden's BSN curriculum has been designed by nursing experts and provides RNs an in-depth understanding of evidence-based practices that can be applied on the job immediately. The program can be completed in as little as 18 months (time to completion depends on individual progress and credits transferred).
Nursing - RN / BSN to MSN
This CCNE accredited online program focuses on developing leaders and educators to fill critical roles in nursing. Based on educational and professional guidelines from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Nurses Association, this program uses nationally known experts to help you acquire the knowledge to educate nursing students, staff and patients-and prepare for current and future career opportunities. The program is available to RNs with a BSN, ADN, or Diploma.
Walden University seeks serious inquiries from U.S. and Canadian students seeking to enroll within the next 6 months.
Walden University also offers:
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| Liberty University Nursing / Acute Care - MSN
Liberty University's CCNE accredited MSN in Acute Care program equips you to provide expert clinical care and related health care services and programs to individuals, families and people groups across the lifespan in a variety of acute care settings. Emphasis is placed on advanced practice in nursing and the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (C.N.S.) is integrated throughout the curriculum. Clinical practicum experiences are based upon your selected area of practice and are designed to further enhance clinical competence and to develop advanced practice knowledge, expertise and leadership. Through this program, you will also gain a strong awareness of ethical, social, and spiritual issues relevant to health and nursing care.
Nursing - BSN
Liberty University's CCNE accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.) program prepares you for positions of leadership in the nursing field. Courses are specifically designed for the practicing nurse, drawing from your real-life nursing experiences to expand your knowledge. You will develop strong leadership skills in collaboration with clients, other professionals and groups within the community for the purpose of promoting, maintaining and restoring health. You will utilize critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in determining nursing interventions and applying therapeutic skills, with emphasis placed on refining written, communication and research skills. This program is only available for students who already are registered nurses.
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| Lewis University Nursing Education - MSN 
The CCNE accredited Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Education is for nurse professionals looking to advance in their careers. The nursing education specialization provides students with the skills in curricular design: instructional methodology, program evaluation, and educational research that help them become valuable and highly marketable members of the education and nursing professions. Graduates in Nursing Education are prepared to assume faculty roles in nursing education programs, educator roles in staff development, continuing education, and community education in municipal, managed care and private sector environments.
Lewis University also offers:
Lewis University was ranked as a Top Master's University in the Midwest by U.S. New and World Report. |
| University of Cincinnati Psychiatric Nurse Specialist (CNS or NP) - MSN
The CCNE accredited Psychiatric Mental Health specialty is for nurses interested in the human mind and behavior. These nurses are focused on quality of life, and their work is based on asking questions. The Nurse Practitioner becomes an expert at treating communities, families, adults, and geriatrics. The Clinical Nurse Specialist works with the same special populations but with an eye towards using their expertise to improve nursing practice, organization, and systems. The CNS also has an opportunity to focus on the growing field of child & adolescent psychiatric/mental health nursing. With their expertise in behavior, many psychiatric nurses may find themselves at the crossroads between health care and the law - working in forensics, the prison system, or with victims of abuse.
University of Cincinnati also offers:
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| Kaplan University Nursing / Nurse Administrator - MSN
Kaplan University's online Master of Science in Nursing degree will focus on the principles of personnel management, policy development and implementation, budgeting,and the use of information technology in advanced nursing roles. Students must complete a residency program during which they will work closely with an administrator mentor in a selected health care setting. Graduates of this program will be prepared for administrative or managerial positions and leadership roles in hospitals, community centers, and long-term care facilities.
Kaplan University also offers:
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Drexel University
Drexel University has again made the "up-and-coming" short list of national universities that have achieved "the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities," according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges."
Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - MSN
The NLNAC/CCNE accredited MSN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares students for professional practice in the management of medical, surgical, and critical care patient populations. The program provides the knowledge and skills needed to improve and sustain the health of acutely ill patients. Emphasis is placed upon diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making. Acute care nurse practitioners are needed in a variety of healthcare settings, including: emergency departments, intensive care units, clinics, labs and more. This program is a high quality program that demands a major commitment of time by the advanced practice nursing student. Because students are being educated to diagnose and treat patients, the master's program was designed to combine the convenience of online learning with the necessary rigor to become a competent and confident advanced practice nurse upon graduation. Admission to this program is restricted to students who will seek nurse practitioner clinical placements in the following states: Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington DC, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Students who are residents of New York may apply, but they may not do their clinical in the state of New York.
Drexel University also offers:
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| Western Governors University Nursing - BSN
This CCNE accredited program is for actively working registered nurses (RNs). Based on National League of Nursing (NLN) competency standards, the B.S. in Nursing prepares you to become a higher level nurse in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The program incorporates skills and knowledge beyond the clinical aspects of nursing, integrating patient education, health promotion, nursing roles and values, and technology, as well as healthcare systems and policies into the curriculum.
Western Governor's University also offers:
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| Grand Canyon University Nursing - BSN
The CCNE accredited RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses with an associate's degree or diploma in nursing. The format and courses of the regionally accredited program are tailored to meet the needs of the adult learner RN, and to maximize strengths that the working RN possesses. A bridge course facilitates the transition of the working RN into the baccalaureate program. Courses are taught by experts in their respective fields who share knowledge and experience in areas of clinical patient care, healthcare management, and professional nursing practice and leadership. Opportunities are provided to apply concepts, theories, and research in the RN's clinical practice. Both the science and art of nursing are integral components of the program and are woven throughout. Graduates of the program are prepared to become leaders in the nursing profession.
Grand Canyon University also offers:
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| Kaplan offers online certficate programs for experienced healthcare professionals who want to expand their career options. >> Request Info |
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Geriatric Care Management
Case Management
Life Care Planning
Forensic Nursing |
Legal Nurse Consultant
Medical Billing
Medical Coding
Pharmacy Technician |
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