Master’s in Nursing Schools in Maryland

Whether you want to educate future classes of student nurses, play a role in health care policy, care for patients on a more personal level, or manage health care workers in your organization, a Master’s in nursing programs can get you there. Nursing schools in Maryland offer a variety of options for graduate nursing studies, from RN to MSN programs to online options. Select those nursing programs in Maryland that interest you and request program materials to learn more.

The field of nursing is going through constant change, and as a Master’s-level student, you can be part of it. The Maryland Action Coalition is addressing many goals in nursing practice and education. They hope to raise the bar of nursing education and increase the amount of nurses that pursue higher-level education. In addition, they hope to influence legislation that can give more freedom to advanced practice nurses.

Nursing Programs in Maryland

As you plan out your Master’s degree in nursing, your prior education will play a big role in how much time you spend in school. With an Associate’s degree in nursing or a Bachelor’s degree in a different field, you can attend a bridge program and graduate in about four years. With a current Bachelor’s in Nursing, you may be able to graduate from one of the nursing schools in Maryland in as little as two years.

You’ll be expected to use your nursing experience to get the most out of your education and deepen the knowledge gained from your classes. In courses like Technology in Nursing Education, Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Promotion, and Gerontology Nursing, you can hone your skills in a specific nursing specialty. Master’s programs do require a considerable amount of clinical work. You may start these hours as early as your first semester.

Depending on which degree you pursue, there may be many nursing scholarships available to you. The March of Dimes awards scholarships to nurse midwifery students and perinatal nurse specialists. The NURSE Corps Scholarship is awarded to nurses of all specialties that agree to work in a Critical Shortage Facility.

Working With Your MSN in Maryland

In many parts of Maryland, patients are ready for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) study factors effecting the nursing shortage seen across U.S. Their goal is to develop career progression initiatives. There are numerous opportunities for nurses who choose the RN-MSN program, as having a graduate degree may further your nursing career to meet your personal goals.

If you’d rather spend your time in the classroom, Maryland is a great place to study. The Washington Business Journal reports that one way to fight the nursing shortage is to increase the number of nurse educators. CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield is spending close to $1 million in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland to train more nurse educators.

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program is an option, which was developed by the AACN. While you are working in an ever-changing healthcare environment, this degree helps you reshape the quality of patient care in diverse settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Community/Public Health Nursing is another area that offers a position that aids the community at large. As an advanced practice nurse you would focus on disease prevention and health promotion by implementing core public principles.

You may practice in state health departments, schools, federal and state agencies, or non-governmental agencies.

A graduate degree may open the doors to new opportunities of advancement that will actually help the nursing profession as a whole.

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

The Maryland Action Coalition is working hard to transform health care, making long-term sustainable improvements in the health of the population living in Maryland through nursing. Many nurses in Maryland have returned to school to seek a higher degree, increasing their impact on the changing landscape of healthcare. It is an ideal time to return to nursing school to earn your graduate nursing degree in Maryland, as you can expand your professional role aas well as improve health. If you are ready to expand your education in order to meet your long term career goals, contact the graduate nursing schools in Maryland to learn more about your options.

There are numerous accredited colleges and universities in Maryland that offer graduate nursing degrees both on campus and online. Some of your Master’s in Nursing degree options in Maryland include: Adult & Gerontological Nurse Practitioner; Clinical Nurse Leader; Community & Public Health Nursing; Family Nurse Practitioner; Health Services Leadership & Management; Nurse Anesthesia; Nursing Informatics; Clinical Nurse Specialist-Forensic Nursing Focus; and Nursing Midwifery.

With the increased awareness of certain diseases and the impact that they may have on public health and safety, you may be interested in this specialty program in MD. The Community/Public Health Nursing program is designed for advanced practice nursing that is focused on health promotion and the prevention of disease. With this degree you would have the opportunity to practice in a variety of settings, which include the local and state health departments, federal and state agencies, schools and non-governmental agencies. You will also be eligible for certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse–Board Certified.

The admission criteria for this, and most other Master’s level nursing programs in Maryland includes:

  • Submit application with required application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree with major in nursing from accredited college or university
  • Official transcripts from every institution you have previously attended, which must be submitted to the Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope
  • Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Maryland RN License
  • Personal Essay
  • Typed Resume or CV
  • Two letters of recommendation from recent professional sources
  • Application for in-state state classification

The course curriculum for most MSN programs averages about 40 credits with anywhere from 300-1000+ clinical hours. The clinical requirements will depend upon which focus you choose to pursue. An example of the community health/public health curriculum and the commonly required courses are outlined below. While these are specific to the public health route, many of the same courses are found in other MSN routes as well.

  • Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice
  • Health Promotion and Population Health
  • Populations at Risk and Community/Public Health
  • Society, Health and Social Justice
  • Epidemiological Assessment Strategies
  • Program Planning and Evaluation and Community/Public Health
  • Program Planning and Evaluation and Community/Public Health Practicum
  • Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice
  • Environmental Health
  • Leadership in Community/Public Health
  • Practicum in Leadership in Community/Public Health Nursing
  • Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement

The certification for this degree is earned through a portfolio rather than a test, which is a new assessment methodology to achieve the American Nurses Credentialing Center board certification. You are eligible upon graduation to submit an online portfolio of evidence that documents your specialized knowledge, skills and your understanding of your specialized training. These peer reviewed portfolios must articulate your performance in four domains, which includes:

  • Professional Development
  • Professional and Ethical Nursing Practice
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Safety as described in the Portfolio Content Online

If you are a member of the American Nurses Association or the American Public Health Association- Public Health Nursing Section the cost of the certification is $470, and the price for non-members is $525.

If you are looking into financing your graduate nursing education, be sure to visit the Financial Aid Office and complete a FAFSA application, which is a federal program based on your income. The University of Maryland has numerous scholarships for graduate students of various amounts and requirements. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) also has a variety of programs that award 200 scholarships annually.

Regardless of what type of graduate nursing program inspires you, getting your master’s degree in nursing in Maryland can give you a great sense of accomplishment, a solid career path and an increased impact on the quality of healthcare in the state.

Maryland RN to MSN Bridge Programs

Maryland is one state in which the nursing field is very important. Maryland has many well-renowned hospitals that provide excellent care to patients. In fact, the North Bay Business Journal reports that several Solano hospitals have recently received Magnet designation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

If you’re already a registered nurse, you may be able to take your career further with an MSN from an accredited nursing school in Maryland. This may be an option even if you only have a diploma or an Associate’s degree in nursing. RN-to-MSN bridge programs in Maryland can help you get the education you need to work as nurse practitioners, nurse researchers, or nurse educators. Learn more about this exciting degree option by requesting additional information from the schools you find on our site.

Admissions requirements vary between RN-to-MSN bridge programs in Maryland, so you may want to spend a little bit of time getting familiar with what schools in your area expect of incoming students. As this is a fairly intensive program, you may need a high GPA in your Associate’s degree program. Many schools also have work experience requirements. The majority of schools only require about one year of full-time nursing experience, but some require even more.

MSN specialties can vary widely from school to school, giving you the chance to choose a specialty that suits your long-term career goals. If patient work is your favorite part of your nursing career, consider becoming a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. If you enjoy working with other nurses, nursing administration or nurse leadership may be right up your alley. If you want to touch the lives of nursing students may choose to study nursing education.

To begin your in-depth education experience, you may take general nursing classes like Applications of Research to Practice, Theoretical & Ethical Basis for Nursing, Context of Health Care for Advanced Practice Nursing, and Reasoning in Nursing. This prepares you to take higher-level courses like Clinical Pharmacology, Health Assessment & Measurement, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, and Evaluation in Health Care.

Financial aid is an important part of your graduate nursing degree in Maryland, particularly if you already have school debt from your first nursing degree. Consider looking for aid opportunities through nursing organizations and agencies, government agencies and departments, and nursing employers. The State Nursing Scholarship and Grant is offered through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The Hal and Jo Cohen Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship is another scholarship opportunity for those who want to go into nursing education. On a federal level, consider applying for the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program.

As a nursing professional in Maryland, you may benefit from an improving job outlook for nursing roles.

The Maryland Board of Nursing is the licensing board for all nurses, including those at an advanced level. You may only need to adhere to stricter licensing standards if you want to become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist. Otherwise, you just need a valid RN license in Maryland.

Clearly, getting an MSN can have a whole host of positive effects for you, your career, and the nursing community of Maryland. To get started on this exciting degree path, contact the RN-to-MSN schools in Maryland listed on this page.

Maryland Direct Entry MSN

Are you interested in a career that gives you the freedom to work independently and improve the lives of Maryland citizens? If so, you may have already considered the field of nursing. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you can jump right into a Master’s degree with a direct entry MSN program, positioning yourself as a nursing leader from the start. A Master’s degree may be preferable to a Bachelor’s degree, since it allows you to work in a variety of nursing specialties like leadership, research, advanced care, and education.

Contact the schools you see on this page to learn more about entering an accelerated MSN program in Maryland to begin your nursing career.

Earning an MSN without a nursing degree can be demanding, so it’s important to realize that a direct entry MSN program is a full-time commitment. To learn more about program specifics, contact the nursing schools in Maryland that offer direct entry MSN degrees to learn more. You can request information directly from our site, and will likely want to compare multiple schools.

Accelerated MSN programs for non-nursing professionals have a long list of prerequisite courses for incoming students. This is due to the scientific nature of nursing; if you do not have the necessary scientific knowledge, you may struggle in an MSN program. Many Maryland schools require coursework in human development, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and statistics prior to acceptance into the nursing school.

When you’ve been accepted to a direct entry MSN program, you spend much of your time completing RN coursework and preparing for RN licensure. In this part of your education, you can expect to take classes like Foundations of Nursing Practice, Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Integrated Clinical Management. Clinical work is just as important as the time you spend in the classroom, so you may spend your days, nights, and weekends in a local clinic or healthcare facility, getting hands on education and instruction.

After you have successfully earned your Registered Nurse (RN) license, you can begin the Master’s degree part of your curriculum. To earn an MSN in nursing leadership, advanced nursing care, nursing education, or nurse research, you may take over 30 credits. Required classes include Leadership for Professional Nursing, Integrated Clinical Management, Population Health Management, and Health Care for Advanced Practice. You may have over 800 clinical hours under your belt by the time you graduate.

As a prospective nursing student, you may be able to claim a number of scholarships or grants to help with your educational expenses. In addition, there may be loan repayment programs for those who do need to take on student loans to cover tuition and living expenses. The Community Foundation of Carroll County awards many different nursing scholarships, including the E. Rita Kolb Nursing Scholarship, the Harbin, Clara M. R.N. Scholarship, and the School Nurses Association of Carroll County Scholarship. The Higher Education Commission of Maryland funds the Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship. There are many school-specific awards available, including the Fuld Fellowship in Patient Care Quality Safety and the Gurtler Scholarship.

In general, a Master’s degree in nursing can bring good salary potential along with a satisfying career. Though salary should not play as much of a part in your career decision as your interests, it is helpful to find out what nursing professionals in Maryland earn.

Job growth rates in Maryland are very similar across all graduate nursing occupations.

You must have your license through the Maryland Board of Nursing before you start your nursing career. Advanced testing and licensure is also required for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical specialists.

The many career options available for MSN graduates make this a flexible and promising degree for new nurses! Your dedication to patients and health care can create positive change in the nursing field, and you will likely feel a strong sense of personal fulfillment after graduating. To get started, contact the schools on this page to get program materials so you can compare key aspects of schools and make a decision about your education and career.

Maryland CRNA Programs

When it comes to nursing, there are over a dozen specialties and advanced nursing fields that you can study if you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. One of the fastest-growing nursing specialties in the United States is nurse anesthesia. This specialty, which allows practitioners to offer cost-effective, efficient pain relief to patients, is particularly useful in states like Maryland where people tend to rely on the services of small hospitals and clinics.

Nurse anesthesia is a field that has existed in some form since the 1800s, when doctors realized that having a medical professional dedicated strictly to anesthesia could improve patient outcomes and lower the risk of infection. Nurses, as professionals in patient care and medical care, were the natural choice. Now, this is a licensed field that requires a Master’s degree and permits you to work independently in many different care settings.

This may be the next logical step in your nursing career if you are ready to work hard at a master’s degree, delve into the pharmacology of pain medications, and perfect a variety of anesthetic techniques. If you think you would be a good fit for a career in nurse anesthesia, contact nurse anesthetist schools in Maryland today.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Maryland

Looking over the admissions requirements for CRNA programs in Maryland may be intimidating, but you likely already meet some of the items on the list. You must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, during which you should have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Generally, the higher your nursing GPA is, the more qualified you may be for a CRNA program. The type of work experience you have is equally important. Typically, schools insist on at least one year of experience, although more selective schools may ask for up to three years. This experience should be in a relevant setting, such as an emergency room or trauma ward.

It’s essential to plan appropriately for your new degree. A MSN in nurse anesthesia takes approximately three years of full-time study, including summers. Upon graduation, you should have more than 50 credits in nursing theory, clinical anesthesia practice, and leadership coursework. Some of your time may be spent in the laboratory, working with different types of anesthesia and other medications. Clinical experience is, of course, absolutely crucial. You need to work with more than 550 patients throughout the course of your education to be eligible for nurse anesthesia certification.

The courses required in this advanced program can help you develop skills in anesthesia, pharmacology, physiology, nursing ethics, and Maryland standards. Early courses in your curriculum may include Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing, Basic Principles of Anesthesia, Applied Physiology, and Advanced Pharmacology. These courses lay the groundwork for advanced anesthesia courses like Applied Pharmacology, Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia, and Ethics in Advanced Nursing Practice.

When you have been accepted to a nurse anesthesia program, you can begin applying for scholarships and grants in Maryland. The Maryland Nurses Association offers information on several different financial aid options, although you may need to join the association to be able to apply for scholarships. MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center is a local employer that funds grants for employees and nursing students. The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers financial aid awards to those that take on a service obligation in Maryland.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Maryland

Nurse anesthetists have access to many professional resources in Maryland. The Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists serves as a professional organization for CRNAs at different levels of experience. As a member of this group, you may be able to attend continuing education events, take part in networking meetings, get legislative updates, and learn about new employment opportunities.

Of course, you must meet Maryland’s licensure and certification standards before you can start working as a nurse anesthetist. When you graduate from your CRNA program, you can apply to take the CRNA exam, which is administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification in Nurse Anesthetists. Passing this exam allows you to apply for a Maryland license through the Maryland Board of Nursing. You must submit an application for advanced practice licensure and provide proof of your educational accomplishments.

If you’re ready to make a difference in Maryland nursing, becoming a nurse anesthetist may be the way to do it. Health care is expensive, but advanced nursing professionals can make it more affordable for people of all budgets.

With nursing growing every day, now may be the right time to start your education. Reach out to CRNA schools in Maryland to get started.

Clinical Nurse Leader Degrees in Maryland

Nurses have become the core of medical care in many different specialties and health care settings. Because nurses now fulfill so many important duties, it is particularly important for nurses to operate under strong leaders and with a common sense of purpose.

In response to the growing need for highly trained leaders in the industry, the Clinical Nurse Leader was developed.

Taking on a Clinical Nurse Leader role involves keeping up with the latest research and working it into your policies and standards. For example, a Maryland researcher notes that a new duty of the head nurse in a patient’s room is to interpret the patient’s DNR orders and ensure that everyone in the room follows them (Cancer Network, 2015). This is an incredibly significant responsibility.

If you are confident in your nursing abilities and ready to use your skills to influence change in Maryland nursing, keep reading to find out more about nurse leadership graduate programs in Maryland.

How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Maryland?

Becoming a nurse leader means moving from the role of direct care provider to clinical leader, which means that you must be ready for people to ask for your guidance, follow your suggestions, and hold you accountable for the decisions you make.

To be well prepared for the challenges of nurse leadership, you may need to complete roughly 36 credits of graduate-level work. Several Maryland schools spread this out over four regular semesters and one summer session.
On top of the regular classes you complete, it’s likely that you will be expected to go through an internship or residency to further develop your leadership abilities. You may be able to complete this experience during the summer to avoid overloading yourself during the school year.

In the curriculum for your nurse leadership program, you can find out what competencies and skills you are expected to develop by the time you graduate. Courses that are often required in this type of degree include Organizational and Systems Leadership, Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Population Health and Promotion, Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice, Clinical Nursing Leadership Role, and Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum.

By the time you sit for your CNL licensing exam, you should be ready to serve as a leader in many different nursing capacities. Each educational program sets its own goals. You may learn how to collaborate with health care professionals for the improvement of patient care, use new health care systems and technology, rapidly solve problems in complex situations, and properly utilize up-to-date nursing evidence and research.

With your degree, you may be able to take on different nurse management titles in Maryland. However, to become a Clinical Nurse Leader, you must pass the exam administered by the AACN and renew your license every five years. In addition, you are required to renew your nursing license biennially through the Maryland Board of Nursing.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?

Just as the nursing industry changes on a regular basis, so will your responsibilities as a nurse leader. The tasks that you take on from day to day fall into several different categories. Your workdays may include clinical work, staff management, financial and administrative work, and research.

Clinical work is the single biggest responsibility of a Clinical Nurse Leader. Only by remaining engaged in clinical work can you stay up-to-date on changes in the industry and the demands being placed on your nursing staff. Staff management is also essential to this role. The amount of administrative work you do depends on where you are employed and their needs.

Nursing research is crucial to the work you do. You may not conduct research or contribute directly to the body of nursing research, but you must be able to analyze, find, and apply research that is relevant to all different nursing topics. In doing so, you can help your facility stay up-to-date on evidence-based standards and procedures.

The culture of nursing may evolve as the health care industry changes. By joining the Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives, you can get a good picture of the future of nursing and your place in it. Being involved in the leadership community may also give you access to networking events and current research.

If you have natural leadership skills and a desire to contribute more to nursing, put your passion to work. Contact Maryland Master’s in nursing leadership programs to take the first step.

Maryland Research Nursing Graduate Programs

When you think of the medical industry of New England, it is likely that you think of Maryland, and for good reason. Maryland has some of the highest-ranking hospitals and nursing schools in the entire country, making it an excellent place for you to settle down if you want to establish yourself in the field of nursing. Getting experience as an RN in Maryland can put you in a great position to take your career to the next level when you are ready to do so.

Quite a few schools and health care employers in Maryland are shifting their focus from clinical practice to nursing research, including top-ranked programs in this state. Faculty focus on public health threats, aging, infectious disease, nursing leadership, and other important subjects in the field of nursing.

Your skills and knowledge can make a big difference in this field—find out more by contacting research nursing graduate programs in Maryland.

Maryland Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

As a nursing research student, you must focus on many different facets of this field. Your graduate program may focus on advanced nursing practice, ethics in research and in nursing, leadership skills, and what is expected in a clinical research setting. Since this is such an in-depth field, you should plan on spending two or three years in school to earn your Master’s degree. This encompasses both classroom time and practical experience in research settings.

Becoming familiar with the goals and expected outcomes of your program may help you adequately prepare for this challenging degree. Look into the curricula of different programs to get familiar with this field of study. Courses you may enroll in include Ethical and Legal Issues in Research, Research Design and Statistics, Contextual Nature of Health and Health Behaviors, Qualitative Research Methods, Measurements in Clinical Research, and Designing & Testing Clinical Interventions.

At every step of your education, you should get valuable experience in a research setting. Whether you go to labs, hospitals, or dedicated research facilities, you can experience firsthand how your research skills can change the field of nursing. In addition, you can start connecting with those who have been successful in the research industry. This can have a significant impact on your career.

Maryland has quite a few financial aid options for nurses who want to advance their education. The Hal and Jo Cohen Graduate Nursing Scholarship awards funds to those who can qualify for a faculty position after graduation.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Maryland

The more time you spend in your nursing research program, the more you can discover about how nursing research is used to strengthen the health care industry. Clinical research may look at different diseases, treatment protocols, and symptoms to find better detection and treatment options. You can also look at the nursing industry to study staffing and education patterns. One recent Maryland study explored different ways to make medical research safer. This move benefits both researchers and patients.

Maryland can be an excellent place to begin a prestigious research career. Find out how you can get started by requesting information from nursing research programs in Maryland.

Maryland Certified Nurse Midwife Programs

As a registered nurse, you may have worked with hundreds of patients from different populations and health backgrounds. While gaining experience and testing your abilities, you may have found that you enjoy working with female patients and meeting their unique health care needs. If you’re ready to take on more responsibility in your career and take your education to the next level, nurse midwifery may be the field for you.

Send your request for more information to the schools listed below to get started.

Now may be the perfect time to start a career as a CNM. Maryland recently legalized home birth with certified nurse midwives, which may allow you to serve patients in a new setting and personalize their care even more. Whether you want to work in a hospital, a birth center, or at patients’ homes, you need to start with the proper education. Learn more about certified nurse midwife programs in Maryland.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Maryland

Before you start applying for admission to CNM programs, it’s important to ensure that you meet their admissions requirements. First, you need a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Your graduating GPA should be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though a higher GPA may be even more beneficial. Furthermore, you should have used your nursing degree to get experience in the field. Often, Maryland schools require at least one year of full-time experience.

Once you have been accepted to these programs, you can begin earning your graduate nursing degree. This degree takes at least two years, and it may take up to four years. On top of theory courses that build on your undergraduate education, you may enroll in clinical courses that test your ability to function as a high-level care provider. You should anticipate earning at least 30 credits by the time you graduate.

Getting familiar with your MSN curriculum can help you prepare for this rigorous degree program. In your curriculum, you may find courses like Advanced Scholarship in Nursing Research, Midwifery Care During Pregnancy, Midwifery Care During Labor and Birth, and Midwifery Care During the Postpartum Period. Other courses may touch on well woman care, preventative care options, and treating common gynecological problems. You may also learn how to collaborate with an OB/GYN and properly decide when transfer of care is appropriate.

While looking through all the CNM schools in your area, you may wish to factor financial aid in your decision. Scholarships, grants, and flexible loan repayment programs can help you make your education more affordable. The Hal and Jo Cohen Graduate Nursing Scholarship is one option to consider in Maryland. You may also want to look through the scholarships offered by the Maryland Board of Nursing. Through the state government, you may apply for the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Maryland

At a national level, nurse midwife certification is obtained through the American Midwifery Certification Board. They can provide you with certification when you meet their educational requirements and pass their testing procedure. As a certified nurse midwife, you may move on to getting an advanced practice license through the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Use your nursing experience to improve women’s health care experience. Check out our list of certified nurse midwife programs in Maryland to get started.

Maryland Clinical Nurse Specialist Degrees

Perhaps you’re a registered nurse who’s seen what advanced practice nurses can do for their patients, or maybe you’re simply ready to take the next logical step in your nursing career. If you’re dedicated to the field of nursing and prepared to use your skills to help this field grow, it may be time to look into clinical nurse specialist programs in Maryland.

Contact the schools offering CNS programs in Maryland to get started today.

One of the benefits of becoming a clinical nurse specialist is the variety of ways in which this education can be used. Research is one possibility if you want to conduct, analyze, and implement studies. You may also opt to focus on patient care or train medical staff members on new protocols. You may also contribute to public health efforts, such as clinical nurse specialists’ efforts to minimize the use of opiate drugs in certain settings.

Find out more about what it means to be a clinical nurse specialist and how you can take the first step to a career in this field.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maryland

Clinical nurse specialists in Maryland often work independently, lead up projects, or supervise other medical professionals. Because of these varied and demanding roles, you must complete quite a bit of education and training before you qualify for licensure as a clinical nurse specialist. On top of the 120 credits you’ve earned as a Bachelor’s degree graduate, you must earn 30 to 40 credits at the graduate level. For most students, this amounts to two to three years of full-time study.

You won’t be spending all your time in a classroom as a CNS student. Rather, you’ll likely spend several hundred hours building your base of clinical skills in hospitals and offices across your community.

To meet the requirements of CNS programs in Maryland, you must take many different courses. Classes that may be included in your curriculum include Statistics for Health Care Professionals, Research for Advanced Practice Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialist Role Immersion, Health Care Politics, Physical Assessment for Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Pathophysiology for Clinical Nurse Specialists. Part of your curriculum may be unique to the specialty you choose to pursue, whether you want to work with a specific population or understand a certain health problem.

Throughout Maryland and even the entire country, there are many scholarship programs that serve graduate-level nursing students. Through the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program, you may be able to earn money for school if you agree to work in an underserved area after graduation.

Maryland students may apply for aid through the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program. The Maryland Nurse Association is also a major distributor of nursing scholarships in this state.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maryland

Moving up in your career and furthering your education can benefit you in many different ways.

The Maryland Board of Nursing oversees the licensing of clinical nurse specialists. With proof of your education, clinical hours, and valid RN license, you can get your advanced practice license and begin your career.

Are you ready to change the field of nursing through research, education, and practice? If so, contact clinical nurse specialist programs in Maryland today to get started.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Maryland

Look back at the history of healthcare in Maryland and consider which factors and movements have created the most prominent changes in this field. While the role of care providers is hugely important in healthcare, healthcare policy creators have done a lot to improve patient outcomes and make the workplace safer for both nurses and patients.

It can be difficult to understand the effect of new policies, particularly if the policies that your facility adopts seem to be redundant or irrelevant. However, strong healthcare policies make liberal use of data and statistics to improve the field as a whole.

In Maryland, one simple policy change is believed to have saved the lives of infants all over the state. As a whole, the state implemented a hard ban on elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks of gestation (Biz Journals). This policy is in line with what is recommended by the March of Dimes. Through this policy, experts believe that they can reduce the risks of prematurity and early term deliveries.

If you know that there are many ways that the healthcare industry of Maryland could be improved, you may have the visionary thinking skills that are needed in health policy. Get more information by contacting graduate health policy programs in Maryland below.

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Maryland

Generally, earning a Master’s degree in healthcare policy is a significant undertaking. While graduate programs in other fields of study may involve the completion of about 30 credits, most healthcare policy programs in Maryland required around 42 credits. At most schools, this includes a capstone project and internship, both of which may involve a significant time commitment.

However, the hard work you put into a healthcare policy degree pays off. By the time you graduate, you should have an understanding of the administrative side of healthcare and the legislative process.

You may build your understanding and complete the necessary credits to become a nursing policy leader by taking courses similar to those listed here:

  • Foundations of Epidemiology
  • Foundations of Environmental Health
  • Healthcare Leadership and Communication
  • Public Health Practice and Management
  • Public Health Research Methods
  • Policy and Politics of Health
  • Health Law and Ethics
  • Health Economics and Analysis

Clearly, your nursing experience should be extremely helpful as you earn your Master’s degree. However, you should also find that you are exposed to many subjects and ideas that are not covered in the nursing industry. By building your worldview in this way, you can develop the political and critical thinking skills needed to make your voice heard in legislation.

To keep working as part of the nursing community, you must keep your nursing license up-to-date through the Maryland Board of Nursing. This involves renewing your license every two years.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Maryland?

Throughout your education, you may see many ways in which nurses have influence over health policy in Maryland. Generally speaking, nurses are very strong lobbyists. If you stay involved with the nursing community as a whole, you can work with them and stay informed on the issues that affect the profession.

The Maryland Nurses Association is heavily involved in the legislative process. Recent efforts include raising licensing standards for all healthcare personnel, developing nursing recruitment policies for the state of Maryland, and lobbying for the professional rights of nurses and patient safety.

You may also influence health policy by being active in other groups. The Maryland Health Quality and Cost Council brings together experienced professionals from different areas of healthcare to keep costs reasonable and analyze healthcare data.

Everyone who works in the healthcare industry has a role in the future of this field. Earning your Master’s degree in nursing can help you reach your full potential.

Use our list of Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Maryland to start preparing for the next step in your career.