Earning a MSN/PhD Dual Nursing Degree

Without a doubt the hottest jobs in the United States over the next decade are all related to the health care industry. Leading the charge in the health care boom are nurses. As of 2008 some 2.6 million individuals were employed as nurses in hospitals, clinics, and schools across the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field to continue growing through at least 2018. Those already employed in the nursing field also have a great opportunity for advancement by earning an MSN/PhD dual nursing degree.

The MSN/PhD program is an accelerated nursing degree that offers a combined master's and doctorate level education to those already employed in the nursing career field. The goal of the MSN/PhD program is to rapidly prepare qualified, certified nurses for an advanced position within the nursing field. The program offers a combination of master's preparation and doctoral level education and research. A typical MSN/PhD program takes 5 years to complete.

Those interested in enrolling in an MSN/PhD program need to meet a few prerequisites before they can be accepted. The specific prerequisites will vary from program to program, but a few common requirements include the following:

• Current nursing license
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• GPA of at least 3.0

Some programs will allow students with a non-nursing related bachelor's degree to enroll in their program, but they are few and far between.

When an individual considers enrolling in an MSN/PhD program the first thing they need to do is ensure that the school and program are accredited. Major nursing degree programs, such as associate's, bachelor's, and master's programs, are accredited by one of two governing bodies. These bodies include:

• National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Upon enrolling in an MSN/PhD program students should be prepared for a fast paced program that will prepare them for advanced practice roles and educational leadership roles. Generally speaking, this program will play out in the following manner:

• The first two years consist of master's level course work and studies. At the conclusion a master's degree in nursing is awarded.
• During the next one to two years students complete their doctoral coursework and a comprehensive exam. The length of this portion of the program depends upon the individual school.
• The final step requires students to complete a dissertation.

The specific course that any particular MSN/PhD nursing program follows can also depend upon specialization within the program. The two most popular specializations within MSN/PhD programs are clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and family nurse practitioners (FNP).

Those who graduate from MSN/PhD nursing programs often find themselves moving into important roles within the health care community. An MSN/PhD degree not only gives students a chance to improve their career options, but also offers them greater compensation as well. Some of the most popular career fields include:

• Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Health Nurse Practitioner
• Health Care Administration
• Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner

If you are currently employed in the nursing field and want to take advantage opportunities for advancement, an MSN/PhD nursing degree is a wonderful way to prepare yourself for a higher echelon position in health care.