As I approach the job market with an educational level of a Master’s in Science Nursing (MSN), there are several options to choose from when determining my professional career path. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Future of Nursing Recommendations for achieving higher levels of education, I can strive for special certification and advanced degrees such as Doctorate or Nurse Practitioner programs. My reasons for wanting to attain these higher levels include furthering my knowledge base, expanding my clinical skills, and gaining more autonomy in decision making, which is important to me as a nursing professional desiring to make an impact on patient care.
Along with these advantages, increasing my level of education would also create greater competitiveness in the job market. With increased competency and exposure to new knowledge within a doctoral program I could become an expert resource within any healthcare system; furthermore having achieved this status would give me greater authority when it comes time for decision making based upon evidence-based practice guidelines established by leading experts in the field. In addition, attaining leadership roles such as Director or Chief Nursing Officer may come easier if I have a Doctoral degree – something that will be necessary if I intend on playing a part in shaping the future of nursing.
Discuss your options in the job market based on your educational level. Review the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations for achieving higher levels of education. Describe what professional certification and advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, etc.) you want to pursue and explain your reasons for wanting to attain the education. Discuss your timeline for accomplishing these goals. Discuss how increasing your level of education would affect how your competitiveness in the current job market and your role in the future of nursing. Discuss the relationship of continuing nursing education to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics. Discuss whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory. Provide support for your response.
Furthermore continuing nursing education has been shown to improve competency through increased exposure to new practices, attitudes towards patient care due to growing self-awareness regarding ethical dilemmas faced within medical settings, and response times due advances made within technological realms; all qualities that can help bolster one’s eligibility when applying for positions requiring minimum experience levels.
In regards whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory or not – while some might argue that forcing individuals into these types of courses without their consent takes away from established freedom rights – many believe that certain jobs require continued learning just so one can remain competitive within current standards set forth by governing bodies such as the American Nurses Association (ANA). Thus keeping up with changes mandated by ANA Code of Ethics and Scope & Standard Practice through continual advancement is essential if nurses wish stay abreast relevant protocols related patient care.
In conclusion pursuing certification and advanced degrees such as MSN/DNP programs provide numerous benefits beyond simply increasing one’s job prospects; however it is ultimately up individual discretion what type educational pathway they choose take depending upon their personal ambition goals going forward.