Pursuing one of the Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs in Vermont is a choice that many of the state’s nurses are making the decision to do. Traditionally, many nurses only earned a two-year, or sometimes a four-year degree, and those degrees often lead to long and successful careers in the nursing field. However, today’s healthcare field is quickly changing, and there is a large demand for highly educated and highly qualified nurses that have undergone extensive and advanced training. Often, the advanced training integrates state-of-the-art technology and the latest research in order to ensure that today’s advanced-practice nurses are able to handle the demands of today’s healthcare environment.
A master’s degree in nursing opens the doors to many opportunities in the field of nursing, including positions in leadership, midwifery, nurse practitioner positions, teaching nurse anesthesia, gerontological nursing, psychiatric mental health or community health. Earning a master’s degree allows the professional nurse to move from being a generalist to specializing in one or more particular areas of nursing. In Vermont, universities offering master’s degree programs in the field of nursing typically offer specializations in the nursing administration, nurse education and nurse practitioner fields.
The nursing administration specialization is designed to allow current nurses to take on leadership positions within their healthcare organization or within the community. Many nurses with a specialization in nurse administration go on to operate clinics or help manage larger healthcare institutions, such as hospitals. The nurse education specialization is designed for nurses that would like to work in a college or university as a professor or teacher. In addition, those with nurse education specializations are often qualified for positions as community educators or healthcare educators that work with the general public to prevent and manage chronic illnesses. Finally, nurse practitioners are able to perform many basic healthcare tasks, such as diagnosing common illnesses or injuries, ordering and interpreting basic tests, and supervising treatment plans for common chronic illnesses, such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, or obesity.
The following institutions offer accredited master’s in nursing programs in Vermont.
Norwich University
College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
Norwich University’s graduate programs in nursing are designed to be highly convenient to professional nurses, with all degree programs available in an online format. All nursing programs at Norwich are developed based on the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Nursing. The university prides itself on small class sizes and a culturally and professionally diverse student body. Each class is capped at 15 students, allowing for intimate academic and professional conversations, as well as one-on-one interaction with faculty. Students within each program are offered abundant opportunities to complete work-based projects that can be completed in the student’s place of employment.
Master in Nursing Programs
Norwich University offers two MSN programs: Nursing Administration and Nursing Education. Both are 36 credit hour programs that can be completed in 18-24 months. Each of these programs can be completed entirely online, with the exception of a required one-week residence at the end of the program. All students in both programs must take courses on evidence-based practice, health systems analysis and theoretical constructs of nursing. Afterwards, students may choose their specialization track. The program ends with a week-long residency, which is covered in the cost of tuition, and a commencement ceremony in Vermont. The program at Norwich is unique in that there is no GRE/GMAT required for attendance and the university will accept up to 12 semester credits from other institutions. Norwich University is dedicated to making advanced education affordable, and as of fall 2014, the tuition per credit hour was $616.
To be eligible for admission, all students must have a BSN from an accredited university, as well as have an active RN license in the state of residence.
The university’s online format makes it possible to complete a MSN degree while also working full time. The program offers start dates in March, June, September and December of each year, and each class can be completed online using a flexible platform. Students can access program content and participate in discussions at their own pace each week, while still being offered deadlines to keep students on track.
Accreditations
The nursing program at Norwich University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
Contact
Norwich University
College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, Vermont
1-866-684-7237
[email protected]
http://online.norwich.edu/degree-programs/masters/master-science-nursing/overview
The University of Vermont
Department of Nursing
The Department of Nursing at The University of Vermont offers a full range of nursing programs designed to train nurses and nurse leaders. The university offers a RN-BSN program, a BSN program, a Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader program, several post-master’s certificates, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Direct Entry Program in Nursing. Each of these programs utilizes a holistic and humanistic approach, where ideas, theories, research and practices from the areas of natural science, nursing and behavior science are integrated. At the University of Vermont, nursing is viewed as both a science and an art, where students participate in rigorous research, while also taking a holistic approach to treatment. Students gain real-wold experience at one of the nation’s premiere academic medical centers, as well as have access to a state-of-the-art simulation lab. The university also houses the Nurse Practitioner Practice Group, providing real-world hands-on experiences to nursing students, while also providing wellness visits, routine physical exams, sick visits, lab testing and the management of chronic health conditions to member sod the community.
Master in Nursing Programs
The University of Vermont offers a Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Leader program. Students in the program can choose from two different tracks: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Both tracks have a strong focus on research, and all students are required to participate in their own research in the field, as well as work in partnerships with faculty, students and healthcare professionals in the department of nursing, as well as in other university departments. The Clinical Nurse Leader MSN program is designed to prepare students to meet national certification requirements. Students are trained to value evidence-based practice, advocacy, risk assessment, quality improvement, centralized care coordination and interprofessional communication.
The MSN-CNL programs are designed for the busy professional nurse, with part-time study offered each semester. Courses utilize a blended format, integrating online, distance learning and live lessons. All students in the program must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing or another field, hold an RN license or be eligible for a Vermont RN license, pass a health assessment and have appropriate undergraduate academic performance.
Students in both tracks will complete core courses in the areas of health informatics, biostatistics, epidemiology, genetics, ethics, evidence-based practice and health care courses. Specialization courses in pathophysiology, neuropharmacology, health assessment, leadership and immersion practicum are also offered.
Accreditations
The nursing program at the University of Vermont is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.
Contact
The University of Vermont
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Office of Student Services
(802) 656-3858
[email protected]
http://www.uvm.edu/~cnhs/nursing/?Page=graduate_ms.html
Many nurses find that their careers are both challenging and rewarding. Pursuing an advanced degree can allow nurses to take on additional leadership or teaching positions in the field, increasing the level of reward and job satisfaction. Earning a master’s degree can provide nurses with the opportunities to develop and lead community health education programs, manage nursing staff in a clinic or hospital setting or teach the next generation of nurses in colleges or universities. Nurses with advanced degrees can also take a larger role in the diagnosis and management of chronic or minor illnesses as pediatric, family or gerontological nurse practitioners. The above Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs in Vermont all offer accredited and high-quality degree programs in in-demand areas of medicine.
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