Usually practicing nurses who want to grow in their careers pursue a master of nursing program in distance education. This type of degree program prepares these professionals to work as nursing administrators, head nurses, nurse managers or even advanced clinical practice nurses. These degree programs typically feature about 40 or more credit hours and might last one to three years depending on the pace of the student.
Students in these programs can choose to specialize in areas such as nurse practitioner preparation, clinical nursing education or health care administration. They also should complete a research thesis or scholarly project, according to the University of Texas. Some schools such as Walden University allow registered nurses to start on different tracks based on whether they enter the program with a nursing bachelor's degree or with a diploma, associate degree or unrelated bachelor's degree.
A master of nursing program in distance education is especially convenient for practical nurses who want to balance schooling with their personal and professional commitments. An online program mirrors an on-campus program. In fact, many traditional colleges offer their master of nursing programs online, while online universities additionally offer this degree.
The chief difference between online and traditional programs is that online students must have a computer and Internet to complete assignments. They also should have basic word processing and presentation software, according to New Mexico State University. In addition, some online programs require students to visit the campus at some point during their schooling.
After completing a master of nursing distance education program, registered nurses can pursue certification as an advanced practice nurse through organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This organization requires nurses to have master's degrees and to successfully complete an eight-hour written exam. For certain specialties, these nurses also must show evidence of specified clinical practice experience. They then must be re-certified every five years. Registered nurses already should be licensed by passing the National Council Licensure Examination.
Courses in a master of nursing program in distance education cover topics such as leadership and ethics, nursing management, current health care issues, pathophysiology, pharmacology and advanced health assessment. Students also study the theoretical and conceptual foundations of nursing, health care principles and methods, curriculum development and evaluation, marketing and health care epidemiology/infection control. Other classes might include biometric methods, research design, health care finance and human resources management.
With a master of nursing in distance education program degree, individuals can work in a variety of health care settings. Advanced practice nurses include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. Master's degree-holders also can assume titles such as nursing director, nursing education director or even nursing home rehabilitation director. The average salary for a head nurse in late 2009 was $87,425, according to Salary.com.