Nurses pursue MSN degrees to deepen their knowledge of specialized subjects, such as adult-gerontology acute care, family care, psychiatric mental health, nurse leadership, forensic nursing and nurse education. In addition to enhancing their skills, graduate courses can prepare nurses to become certified to practice in their chosen area of healthcare. The MSN curriculum is designed to prepare nurses for the certification process. Core courses teach topics that appear on exams, such as:
  • Leadership
  • Ethics
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Management
  • Contemporary nursing foundations
  • Healthcare policy
Students in master’s programs also complete clinical hours in which they enhance their nursing skills and discipline to be lifelong learners. Additionally, they have access to information through online libraries, conferences and conversations with nurse educators. Courses and clinicals help nurses build their advanced leadership, critical thinking, communication and analytical skills.

Pursue an Advanced Nursing Career

Duquesne University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program can help students master essential competencies. The university’s advanced nursing program offers FNP, AGACNP and PMHNP specializations.
  • FNP nursing students take courses such as Clinical Prevention and Population-Based Health Promotion; Healthcare Ethics in Practice and Policy; and Foundations of Family Care: Infants, Children and Adolescents.
  • AGACNP nursing students take courses such as Foundations of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Policy Development, Healthcare Ethics in Practice and Policy, and Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing.
  • PMHNP nursing students take courses such as Psych/Mental Health Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing; Individual, Group and Family Therapies Across the Lifespan; and Clinical Prevention and Population-Based Health Promotion.
The MSN program can help graduate students better understand the benefits of nursing certification as they take advanced courses and complete their clinicals. Learn more about how specializing as an FNP, AGACNP or PMHNP can prepare nurses to pursue their professional goals.