Become a Leader in Nursing

By Lauren Abraham

Nurse smiling

Become an Expert in Healthcare Informatics

For individuals who want to lead in nursing by applying data to decision-making in the field, earning an MSN with an emphasis in healthcare informatics may be a great option. This degree program prepares you to address issues in professional practice, and to propose and implement solutions that are backed by research. In addition, you learn to evaluate the outcomes of these solutions. As a nurse who specializes in Informatics you can work in many different settings and may take on the role of automating clinical care, building new operational data systems or training workers to use new technology.

Lead in Healthcare Systems

Today’s healthcare delivery systems are rapidly changing. Therefore, leaders are needed to manage people and resources to achieve organizational goals. Earning an MSN with an emphasis in leadership in healthcare systems allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of the healthcare environment. In the program, you learn the communication and interpersonal skills needed to meet ethical and professional standards. Graduates of this program understand leadership and how organizations function. As a clinical nurse specialist, you can seek a position as a charge nurse, director of nursing, chief nursing officer or vice president of nursing services.

Become a Nurse Educator

As the field of nursing continues to grow, leaders are needed to educate the nurses of tomorrow. An MSN with an emphasis in nursing education prepares you to educate other nurses as well as your patients. This program walks you through relevant topics such as ethics, policy and finance in healthcare, pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and curriculum development. Completing this program prepares you to become an advanced nurse educator, as you lead in nursing education. You can work in a variety of different settings as a patient educator, or you may take on the role of an educator in clinical and academic settings.

Drive Change in Public Health

GCU’s MSN with an emphasis in public health prepares you to develop, plan, implement and evaluate health programs and services. By analyzing modern healthcare issues of today, you learn to reduce disease and illness through research, education and other solutions. Graduates of this program become nurse specialists who are prepared for a wide range of professional opportunities in public health and nursing. These CNS’s can advocate for public health in settings such as hospitals, healthcare facilities, social service agencies and universities.

Provide Care for Older Adults

If you are looking to become an acute care nurse practitioner, consider GCU’s MSN with an emphasis in adult-gerontology. This program prepares you to work with the growing adult and elderly population by providing them with quality care. Learn theories and practices related to all areas of direct acute care of gerontology patients in order to make a difference in the lives of the elderly.

Advanced Practice nurses(APRN’s) with this degree are able to assess physical, psychosocial, spiritual, risk and functional aspects in acute and chronically ill adults and seniors. There will always be a need for nurses who are knowledgeable about this population, so these APRN’s can apply their knowledge in a wide variety of settings.

Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

The MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner program at GCU prepares you to become a primary care provider for individuals, families, communities and populations. By studying different levels of preventative care, including health promotion, illness prevention and diagnosis and management, you will be prepared to meet the needs of a wide variety of patients.

Graduates of this program become Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN) who perform comprehensive health assessments, diagnose illnesses and prescribe treatments to manage health problems. These APRN’s can apply their knowledge in a variety of practice settings, and they can provide healthcare for patients across the human lifespan.

Explore the Business of Healthcare

Individuals who want to incorporate their passion for business into their nursing career can earn a dual MSN-MBA: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems. Grow in your knowledge by taking courses to develop advanced management skills, and prepare to successfully grow healthcare organizations of all kinds.

Upon the completion of this program, you can move into a leadership position in healthcare organizations by becoming a chief nursing officer, vice president of patient services or chief executive officer. In addition, you may apply the entrepreneurial knowledge gained in the program to start your own health company.

Become a Nursing Executive

In addition to a wide variety of MSN programs, GCU also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for students who want to take their education further. The DNP prepares you to apply research to your current nursing practice. You have the opportunity to expand current theoretical and scientific foundations of healthcare practice in order to develop clinical solutions and make a positive impact in their field.

The DNP-prepared nurse will drive positive change in healthcare by applying evidence based practice to their work. You may work in a clinic or hospital as a nurse executive, continue your practice as an advanced practice registered nurse or become a nurse educator with further training.

Enjoy the Convenience of an Online Program

Today, a nurse who wants to advance their education and career has never been easier. With GCU’s online MSN programs, you can unlock a wide variety of opportunities in the healthcare field. By earning your education in an online format, you can gain specialized knowledge and take advantage of the quality and convenience of an online education at GCU.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions prepares you to provide quality care to meet the unique needs of the populations you serve. To learn more about nursing degree programs available at GCU, visit our website or contact us today using the Request More Information form at the top of the page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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