A 2023 report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has many in healthcare concerned. It shows that the number of students who enrolled in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs is down by 1.4% in 2022. This comes after 20 years of steady growth in nursing student numbers across America.
This, of course, means that in a few years we may see a drop in the number of students who enroll in doctorate in nursing courses. This will have a direct impact on healthcare in the US in the face of increasing numbers of baby boomers who require constant healthcare, and the rapid rate at which nurses are retiring.
For those who are thinking of climbing the nursing career ladder, these statistics bode well – smaller numbers of applicants mean that most who apply for doctorate and other higher education programs in the immediate future will be accepted into their college of choice, and when they graduate, they will be able to get jobs a little more easily.
But is higher education in nursing worth it? You may be wondering what you can do with a doctorate in nursing, for example. A career leap such as this requires careful consideration. A doctorate in nursing takes you to the highest levels of the profession. Programs offered by reputable institutions like Marymount University are comprehensive and covers topics such as advanced health assessment, innovative models of healthcare delivery and epidemiology. Students also learn leadership and ethics in healthcare.
By the time they complete the course, students have the skills to be leaders in health policy formulation within their communities as well as at state and federal levels. They are in a position to influence health outcomes on a large scale and lead different types of healthcare institutions in various capacities.
Additional education for nurses isn’t cheap, and it takes time to attain. Many have to juggle between work, school and family, and in many cases, they end up dropping out of their courses because they cannot handle the pressure.
Before you get enrolled in additional education to boost your nursing career, it is important to know exactly what you can expect to get at the end of it.
Why should nurses pursue additional education?
Additional education comes in two forms. It can be linear, where a professional does courses that augment their current level of training, or it can be vertical, where they enroll in courses that impart management skills so that they can attain leadership positions in healthcare.
There are good reasons to pursue both types if you want to be eligible for the best jobs, good pay and accompanying benefits.
You can advance in your career
This reason is rather obvious because if you get a doctorate in nursing, you open up a whole world of opportunities.
There are many jobs that the degree qualifies you for, including nurse practitioner, certified nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife and clinical nurse specialist.
These are roles that keep you on the frontlines with patients, so they are for those who think they do their best work treating and caring for the ill.
If you would like to move away from mainstream clinician duties, a doctorate in nursing can get you employed as a medical services manager, chief nursing officer, public health nurse, nurse trainer or even a nurse informaticist.
Further education keeps you updated in your industry
America has undergone a healthcare revolution in the last decade or so. Today, many institutions focus on offering patient-centered care because it makes for better outcomes for patients.
Many treatments and cures for chronic illnesses have been developed; there are new ways to test for various diseases; and even the way that HMOs interact with hospitals has evolved.
Telehealth is another important change that has happened in healthcare in the last few years, and it promises to change the way that patients seek and receive treatment.
Nurses need to keep up with these innovations in healthcare. Not only does current knowledge allow them to provide industry-standard care to their patients, but they also impress employers if they show that they know new ways to do things and are aware of what is happening in the profession.
Nurses can improve patient care
The primary duty of any nurse is to care for patients, but the role has evolved. Nurses are no longer confined to wards, checking on patients, fluffing pillows and emptying bedpans.
Nurses are now involved in many roles that were traditionally done by doctors. They take blood and other samples, provide primary care in ERs, diagnose patients and even write prescriptions.
By getting further education, nurses can improve their skills in all these areas. The more useful they are within the clinical environment, the easier it is for them to get promoted.
Further education can help nurses meet licensure requirements
This is especially common for nurses who relocate from one state to another. The licensure requirements in one state may differ from another, and to get employment, additional training may be required.
If you will be moving, it is a good idea to get familiar with what will be required before you can practice in the new state. Find out if you qualify for any exemptions based on your existing qualifications.
It allows nurses to apply for a wider variety of jobs
Imagine that a job is advertised for a nurse who is an excellent communicator. You apply for it and attend the interview only to realize that there are others among the interviewees who have qualified in nursing communication courses.
What do you think your chances are of getting the job? It is more than likely that the employer will give the job to someone who has certification in communication.
Further education opens up opportunities and allows you to move from job to job. You may not necessarily move up the ladder, but you may get more interesting or better-paying jobs.
If you don’t want to remain in the same healthcare institution doing the same thing all your life, you should look into doing additional courses that bolster your existing skills.
Nurses become more confident with more training
If you are not very good in a certain area of your job, you can enroll in an online class or evening lessons to gain the necessary skills.
It isn’t unusual for nurses to graduate from nursing school only to discover that in the real world, there are certain things that they cannot do very well, but that are vital to their jobs.
You don’t have to exempt yourself from certain duties just because you know that you cannot do them very well. Instead, enroll in an online course or other form of training to gain skills that will make you more confident.
It shows that you are motivated about your job, and you are the kind of person who takes the initiative.
Further education is a great way to grow networks
You will meet other medics during your training. Each person comes with unique skills and has the potential to help you improve your career.
They may open new doors for better jobs, teach you skills that you don’t already have, or be a sounding board for new ideas that you may have.
Networking for nurses is important as it gives them a chance to interact with their peers. More importantly, it is an effortless way to meet with other professionals and share ideas that you can use at work.
Nurses can keep up with new regulations and policies
This is critical and it is one of the reasons why many nurses go in for retraining. Nursing regulations change and nurses need to stay up to date so that they can treat patients according to state requirements.
Most of this type of training is provided by healthcare institutions because they want their employees to stay current, and also because they want to avoid any liability that may come with noncompliance.
Personal growth leads to a sense of fulfillment
Imagine doing the same job for 35 or 40 years without getting any additional training, assuming additional responsibilities or moving locations. It doesn’t make for a very satisfying career.
Further education for nurses is one way for them to feel a sense of pride in what they do. If they put the skills and knowledge they gain into practice, they know that they have done the best for their patients, and it also allows them to put different skillsets to use.
By the time they retire, they feel a strong sense of fulfillment and satisfaction and are proud to have served in different capacities.
What is the best way for nurses to get further education?
If you have made up your mind to get more education to boost your career, the first thing you should consider is what courses will suit you best. Ask yourself why you feel that you need more education and skills and what you hope to achieve with additional training.
If you already hold a degree, it would be a good idea to consider an even higher degree. It will certainly give your career a boost and you can move out of mainstream nursing into healthcare management.
As you think about what course is best, consider how long it will take and how it fits in with the rest of your life. If you take into account your job and family, will you have enough time to travel to a college campus several times a week, or will you do better by enrolling in online classes? They are more flexible, and you can learn when you have time.
Consider the curriculum carefully. Does it align with your current goals? Does it teach you any new skills, and will it help you be better at your job? Does the course you have in mind have the potential to get you promoted or hired in a different facility in a higher position? It is important to think about your career prospects as you choose a course – you don’t want to waste time attending classes that will not bring a significant improvement to your life.
Think about financing. How will you pay for the training you have in mind? Can you afford it out of pocket, along with all your other financial responsibilities? You don’t want to enroll, only to have to drop out because the tuition fees are an issue. Talk to your employer – many are able to pay for additional nursing training. Some institutions offer scholarships for higher education, so take some time to research them and see whether you qualify.
Where will you attend your course? There are hundreds of institutions that offer nursing courses in America, but they are not all equal. You should enroll in a university or nursing school that is accredited. As much as possible, look for a school that is well-known to employers as it will make it easier to get a job after you graduate.
Let your family and friends know that you plan to go back to school. It can be difficult to juggle a job, a family and an education, but your friends and family can make it easier for you. Talk to them about whether they can take over some of your chores so that you have time to concentrate on your course – it will only be for a short time.
Don’t wait till you finish, to commence your job hunt. Many employers are happy to take on new employees as long as they can show that they are in the process of self-improvement. After you finish your first year, you can start applying for new jobs.
