Many people who work within the field of healthcare express that few careers have anywhere near as a fulfilling impact upon a person’s life. Few jobs can have such a positive and far-reaching impact upon a community as nursing can, and when it comes to interactions between a healthcare provider and a patient, more people will spend time speaking with their nurse than anyone else. It is understandable therefore that certain individuals decide to take their education further by enrolling in a master’s of science degree in nursing.For those who are planning to enroll in the University of Alabama, a glance at the MSN programs that are available will give them some idea as to the range of specialties they can choose from. Depending on their previous education, work experience, and interests, they may concentrate on a particular field, to become a:

• Family nurse practitioner
• Primary Care practitioner
• Acute Care practitioner
• Women’s health practitioner
• Psychiatric nurse practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Informatics Nurse
• Clinical Nurse Leader

The curriculum that you will undergo, regardless of which route you decide to take, may include a range of practical, theoretical and research-based courses. Courses that will be required from all students attempting to achieve a higher-level education in nursing will include translating evidence into practice, leadership in advanced practice nursing, and pharmacology and physiology.

MSN Programs at the University of Alabama

The Master of Science in Nursing curriculum at the University of Alabama has been created to prepare nurses for advanced specialty roles, as well as giving them the tools they need to progress into doctoral study if they so desire. The Capstone School of Nursing at the University of Alabama offers four areas of focus for MSN, including nurse practitioner in either acute or primary care, nursing informatics, nursing education, and nursing and health systems management. It is possible to obtain a second master’s degree in the area of your choice if you wish to do this.

Nurse Practitioner in Acute or Primary Care

If you choose the nurse practitioner or NP route of study, you will be able to select between acute or primary care.Primary care includes specialties such as: Pediatric Primary Care, Acute/Prim Dual Pediatric, Family, Adult-Gero Primary Care, Adult-Gero Occupational Health, Adult-Gero Woman’s Health, Adult-Gero Oncology, Psychiatric – Mental Health, and Dual MSN-MPH.The acute care route includes specialties such as: Neonatal, Acute/Prim Dual Pediatric, Adult-Gero Acute Care, Adult-Gero Acute Care- FNFA, Nurse Anesthesia.MSN Program Outcomes:

1. Assume leadership in evaluating and managing continuous quality improvement processes.
2. Advocate and implement health care policies which improve efficiency, equity and social justice.
3. Synthesize research and principles of scientific inquiry to offer evidence-based practice.
4. Monitor the quality of your own nursing practice based on practice standards and relevant regulations
5. Offer ethical and culturally sensitive care in an advanced nursing role.
6. Design innovative educational programs for nursing staff, students and patients.
7. Apply principles of economics, marketing, management and leadership to perform at an advanced nursing level.

MSN Admission Requirements for the University of Alabama

Students must meet certain requirements to ensure that they are in good standing to earn their Master of Science in Nursing degree. Firstly, they will need a BSN from a regionally accredited institution, and a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must also provide three letters of personal reference attesting to their potential, and one copy of transcripts from any previous programs in education they have completed. Applicants must also have a combined score of 1,000 or 297 (new exam) regarding the quantitative and verbal sections of the GRE, a score of 480 on the GMAT, or a score of 410 on the MAT.If they meet the requirements, students who wish to study at the University of Alabama may apply online.

Career Options in Alabama for MSN Nurses

Many healthcare professionals consider Alabama to be a promising location when it comes to establishing a career within the field of advanced nursing. Most nursing homes within Alabama provide a satisfaction rating which exceeds the national average, as suggested by NASDAQ, and an individual who chooses to specialize within gerontology will be able to contribute to this level of patient satisfaction.After you have graduated from an MSN program, your career options in Alabama will typically be determined by the type of degree that you have chosen to pursue. According to some studies, nurse practitioners within Alabama are capable of earning a median salary of anywhere up to $86,3000 a year, and anesthetist nurses who typically work within delivery wards and operating rooms can earn a median salary of $144,700 a year. For individuals hoping to work in a management or leadership role within their institution, becoming a health services manager within Alabama provides an average salary of approximately $86,600 a year.