Master’s in Nursing Schools in Minnesota

If you want to work in any one of a variety of nursing specialties, including midwifery, anesthesia, or nursing leadership, a Master’s degree in nursing is absolutely necessary. This degree can not only help you further your career, it can make you a valuable asset to the health care team in your area. Minnesota nursing schools have many programs to choose from, so if you are ready to earn your Master’s in Nursing, MN is a great place to do it!

Featured Programs:

Nursing Programs in Minnesota

A Master’s degree in nursing can typically be completed in two to three years, depending on whether you attend school part-time or full-time. If you plan on attending a bridge program, which builds on an Associate’s degree in nursing or an unrelated Bachelor’s degree, it may be closer to four or five years.

Each school’s curriculum is different, but in general, you can plan on completing between 35 and 55 credit hours. Core courses include Nursing Science, Research Methodology, and Pharmacology & Pathophysiology. An advanced care path may include a variety of clinical and population-specific courses, while a nursing leadership path may include courses in nursing informatics, health policy and leadership, and advanced health assessment.
Consider applying for a range of scholarships to help with your educational costs. The Minnesota Nurses Association funds a variety of grants and scholarships, while the Minnesota Student Nurses Association helps students find local scholarships. The Minnesota Department of Health funds several nursing grants, so if you are ready to earn your MSN, Minnesota is ready to help make it happen.

Review the school and program listings on our site to learn more, then request information from schools to get the detailed information you need to make a wise decision about furthering your nursing education.

Working With Your MSN in Minnesota

Minnesota is a growing state, where many medical professionals live and work, including those with an MSN degree, such as nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. Once you earn your graduate nursing degree in MN, these are just two of the many options you may consider for working as an advanced practice nurse in the state.

If you want to use your Master’s degree in nursing to improve patient satisfaction as well as patient safety, you are in the ideal location. The Minnesota Nurses Association reports that new research in Minnesota ties higher nurse staffing levels to greater patient safety and patient satisfaction. Whether you plan on overseeing other nurses, taking on an advanced role, or affecting policy, your role can be very important.

As a nurse practitioner, you can work in a variety of different healthcare settings, such as a hospital, urgent care clinic, emergency room, or pediatric office. Working as a master’s prepared nurse midwife in Minnesota gives you the opportunity to follow women throughout the course of their pregnancy and deliver their babies.

If you would like more information on these MSN programs or any other graduate nursing careers, contact one of the schools listed on this page for more information.

Nursing Schools in Minnesota

Mayo Medical School
Rochester,MN
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN
webWOC Nursing Education Program
Minneapolis, MN

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are 22 accredited nursing schools in Minnesota. Master’s degree options that are available include Health Care Leadership, Nursing Education, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and several other types of nurse practitioners. There are accredited universities where you attend on campus and many other excellent online programs in Minnesota. The well-known Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester has a master of Nurse Anesthesia Program, which may be something you’d like to look into.

The School of Anesthesia’s program takes 27 months to complete, and is no easy undertaking. The clinical hours are completed in seven area hospitals on a rotating basis. This program is in a cooperative agreement with the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and 96.8 percent of the graduates pass the National Certificate Examination on their first attempt.

You must attend full-time to be admitted to this program, and the admission requirements are slightly more rigorous than those of typical MSN programs in MN. They include:

Completed application with fee
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in nursing or an associate or diploma in nursing plus another appropriate baccalaureate degree
Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Possess an unencumbered RN license or APRN and the United States
Prior to the application deadline, must have completed one year of nursing experience and critical care setting within the past three years
Completed a chemistry course within the past five years
Possess American Heart Association BLS, ACLS and pediatric advanced life support (PALS)
Complete the interview process
Completed physical examination
One page summary indicating reasons for choosing anesthesia as a career
Personal resume
Two official transcripts from high school and nursing school, plus all colleges and universities transcripts must be forwarded directly to the school from the registrar
Letters of recommendation from the Director ‘s of your school of nursing, Immediate RN supervisor, Immediate Superior, last employment, Two professional RN colleagues

The program curriculum for the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) includes the following courses:

Principles of Anesthesia Practice I, II, III, IV, V, VI
Anesthesia and Uncommon Diseases
Chemistry and Physics
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology I, II
Advanced Pharmacology I, II
Professional Aspects of Anesthesia I, II, III
Instructional Design
Clinical Practicum
Research Presentation
Theories of Management and Leadership
Statistical Techniques and Research Methods
Clinical Conferences and Seminars
Review Course

This 48 credit hour program is specifically designed to prepare you as a student nurse anesthetists that is ready to take the Certifying Examination. The National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists is the agency for Nurse Anesthetist graduates of an accredited nurse anesthetist school. The NCE application fee is $725. You must take and pass the test within two years of graduation.

Of course, there are several other types of MSN programs in Minnesota to choose from, and you can request information from any of the MN nursing schools you find on our site. Making sure to thoroughly research your options is one of the most important steps in finding the program that is best for you.

This career is expected to continue to grow and offers job stability. Nurse anesthetists obviously make an above average salary for nurses, but malpractice insurance is an important expense that should be considered with this advanced nursing profession.

The Minnesota Nurses Association offers Research Grants and Scholarships. There are some specific scholarships for nurses seeking a graduate degree. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education, established by the Minnesota Legislature, offers a number of financial aid opportunities for resident students, which includes scholarships, grants, and they have a loan forgiveness program. Before a student begins any search for financial aid they must first complete a FAFSA application, which is a federal grant and financial aid program.

If you have been thinking about returning to nursing school for your graduate degree in Minnesota, this might be the opportune time to do so. Due to the nursing shortage and the growing baby-boomer population, the need for well-educated nurses continues to grow. By earning a higher degree, you can choose a nursing career that meets your goals, while simultaneously helping to enhance the profession of nursing as a whole.

Minnesota RN to MSN Bridge Programs

Minnesota is a unique state, with an equal mix of both large urban and rural areas. This means that every part of the state has its own set of health care needs and standards. As a registered nurse, you may already play a major role in health care in Minnesota. Recent changes in nursing legislation may make this the ideal time to further your career with an RN-to-MSN degree program in MN. The Austin Daily Herald reports that advanced nurse practitioners now enjoy full scope of practice rights, improving Minnesotans’ access to health care. Whether you want to contribute to nursing through research, leadership, or advanced practice, an Master’s degree in Nursing may get you there. Contact the schools you see that offer RN to MSN bridge programs in Minnesota to learn more.

One of the most important decisions you can make as an RN-to-MSN student is which nursing specialty you go into. This determines which courses you take as a graduate student, which careers are open to you after graduation, and how many clinical hours you must complete. Some of the career paths that require the most clinical hours include nurse midwifery, nurse anesthesia, and nurse practitioner. Nursing education has fairly strict requirements as well, although it requires you to work in a classroom setting rather than a clinical setting. Nurse administration programs often have the lowest clinical hour requirements.

There are some courses that all graduate nursing students are often required to take. These courses may include Ethical Dimensions for Nursing Practice, Research Methodology, Health Policy and Leadership, and Nursing Science. Other courses give you specific skills in your chosen career path. For example, nursing education students may take Curriculum Design and Evaluation, Innovative Teaching Strategies, and Foundations of Education in Nursing.

Most RN-to-MSN programs in Minnesota do require you to attend school full-time, so you should plan on spending at least 12 hours a week in class while earning this degree. In accelerated programs, you may attend courses year-round. Most MSN bridge programs are designed to be completed in about three years.

Minnesota has a fairly strong support network for aspiring advanced practice nurses, which includes grants and scholarships. Spending time looking for grants and applying early can help you earn funds for your educational endeavors and minimize student debt. The Minnesota Nurses Association funds a number of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate scholarships. As a nursing student, you may wish to join the Minnesota Student Nurses’ Association. This group offers financial support to nursing students in different specialties and at different levels. The Minnesota Board of Nursing offers scholarships to those who plan on going into nursing education.

Job growth rates in Minnesota are promising across the board. Prior to beginning your career in advanced nursing, you may need to consult the Minnesota Board of Nursing. You need at least a registered nursing license, but in certain cases, you may need an advanced license. Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives are all held to higher licensing standards in this state.

If you want to contribute to the nursing community of Minnesota, earning an MSN may be the way to do it. Your advanced education can hold other nurses to higher care standards, advance the field’s understanding of nursing research, and encourage higher education for other nurses. Learn more about RN-to-MSN programs in Minnesota by contacting the schools you see on our site that offer this route.

Minnesota Direct Entry MSN

Minnesota offers a master’s degree in nursing for those with a bachelor’s degree in another program, often referred to as an accelerated nursing program. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing says that an ideal student for this program is motivated, older, and has higher academic expectations than traditional entry-level nursing students. If this sounds like you, you may be ready to take the next step to becoming a leader in nursing! You can request information from the schools on our site to find the best program for your career goals.

The majority of the universities offering these programs require 20-30 credit hours of classes required in the Bachelors of Science in Nursing component, and then, the graduate level course ranges from 30 to 50 credit hours depending on the specific university you are attending. This full-time program has primarily daytime classes.

The Metropolitan State University has an Entry Level MSN (ELMSN) accredited program that is designed for people who have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing, but want to enter the nursing graduate program. This program requires seven semesters, but upon graduation the student is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for nursing licensure.

The admission criteria to this Entry Level Master’s program includes:

Official transcripts from all previous college level work in undergraduate and graduate programs
Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0
All transcripts must be submitted and those from a non-US schools must be evaluated (course by course) by either the ESE or WES
The four primary prerequisites must be completed, which include chemistry, human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology.
The secondary prerequisites of lifespan growth and development, medical ethics, nutrition and statistics may be pending at the application deadline, but must be completed with a grade of C or better by the start of the program.
Two distinct professional references from a faculty member, supervisor/employer or peer or colleague.
A three page admission essay addressing the importance of the Metropolitan State University School of Nursing submission to enhance the health of underserved and diverse populations and you must describe how your talents, experiences and or cultural background have prepared you to support the University mission and graduate education. Describe your anticipated professional goals after completing this program and attaining your RN license.
You must be proficient with the computer
International students have additional guidelines for admission which include taking the TOEFL test with a score of 250 (Internet-based) or 600 (paper-based) within 24 months of intended matriculation.

Upon acceptance into the program you will successfully complete 62 credits of nursing coursework, 29 are at the undergraduate level and 33 at the graduate level.

The curriculum includes:

Fundamental Concepts of Professional Nursing
Essential Concepts of Pharmacology
Holistic Nursing Care of the Adult I – II
Health Assessment
Intensive Practicum I – II – III
Essential Concepts of Pharmacology II – III
Holistic Nursing Care of Women, Children and Families
Adult Pathophysiology
Geriatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Nursing Science
Foundations of Integrative Care
Research Methodology
Advanced Health Assessment
Advanced Pathophysiology
Advance Pharmacology
Nursing Informatics
Leadership, Quality and Finance in Nursing
Nursing in the Community
Capstone Practicum
Comprehensive Care Seminar

After you become a licensed RN you are also eligible for Public Health Nurse registration from the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Graduation from this program makes you are eligible to complete an application with a $30 fee for this registration.

Minnesota registered nurses earn a mean annual income of $68,910 as of May 2013 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earning your graduate degree and your public health certification may increase your income depending upon your employment record and the type of industry in which you are employed.

If you need help with financial expenses for education, go to the Financial Aid Office and complete a FAFSA application, which is a federal grant program based on your income. This University also has a limited number of scholarships for this particular program that are available through various organizations and employers.

The Health Resources and Services Administration have low interest loans, scholarships and loan repayment programs available for you to continue your education. Nurse Corps has a loan repayment program that allows you to work for two years in a Critical Shortage Facility to receive 60 percent of your total qualifying nursing education loan balance.

Earning your graduate degree in nursing is an exciting career change, which you will probably find satisfying, and with the nursing shortage you will certainly have job security.

Minnesota CRNA Programs

As a registered nurse, you’re likely familiar with the changing facade of health care in the United States. An increasing number of patients are gaining access to much-needed medical services, particularly in states like Minnesota, where the rural population is high. Hospitals and clinics are under growing pressure to keep costs low while still providing patients with high-quality care.

That’s where nurse anesthetists come in. With advanced training, strict professional standards, and patient care skills that come from years of nursing, they provide necessary anesthesia services and help improve patient outcomes. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you may be an excellent fit for a nurse anesthesia program in Minnesota.

Nurse anesthetists may work with a variety of patients, so it’s important to be ready to meet the needs of your health care organization. You may work the labor & delivery ward, giving spinals and epidurals to laboring women. Another day, you may work in the surgery wing and help see patients through routine or complicated procedures.

Are you ready to delve into this multifaceted and exciting career opportunity? It begins with the right training. Learn more about CRNA programs in Minnesota, what they expect, and what you will learn while earning a Master’s degree in nursing.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Minnesota

The admissions process can be fairly lengthy for nurse anesthesia programs in Minnesota, but it can be well worth the reward if you’re truly dedicated to a career in this field. You should be willing to devote at least two years of full-time study to this degree; many programs require closer to three years of study. While earning your Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you should have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A higher GPA may improve your odds of being accepted. Attaining the right type of nursing experience is also very important. Fields like critical care, acute care, and emergency room care may help you meet your school’s requirements. Many programs look for at least one to two years of experience.

Once you have selected a nursing anesthesia program and been accepted, you can begin the process of securing financial aid. School doesn’t have to be expensive if you plan in advance and apply for the wide variety of loans, scholarships, and grants available in Minnesota. The Minnesota Nurses Association funds several nursing scholarships, including the MNAF Grant and the MNA Member Scholarship. Through the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, you can apply for over one dozen different scholarships specifically intended for CRNA students. The Minnesota Student Nurses Association is a thorough resource for Minnesota nurse anesthetist scholarships.

When you begin your nurse anesthesia program, you may take a variety of courses in human anatomy, pharmacology, and safe anesthesia practices. To start, you may take core classes like Theoretical Foundations for Nurse Anesthetists, Advanced Health Assessment in Nurse Anesthesia, Advanced Pharmacology, and Human Anatomy/Physiology. Other courses you may complete as a CRNA student include Principles of Anesthesia, Clinical Anesthesia, and Advanced Principles of Anesthesia. In the clinical component of these courses, you may gain over 550 hours of practical experience.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Minnesota

After you complete your Master’s degree in nurse anesthesia, your next stop should be the National Board of Certification & Recertification in Nurse Anesthesia. After filling out an application and submitting your school transcript, you can take their certification exam and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. This permits you to go to the Minnesota Board of Nursing and apply for advanced practice status. With an advanced practice license, you may begin working as a CRNA.

To enjoy the full benefits of this career, you may wish to join a professional organization like the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists.They offer information on licensure, care standards, conferences, and continuing education opportunities. This can also be an excellent networking opportunity if you want to meet prospective employers, CRNAs, and other advanced practice nursing professionals.

As a nurse anesthetist, you may also enjoy increase responsibilities, greater reach as a leader, and the freedom to practice independently within your scope of practice.

Earning a Master’s degree in nursing is a big step that can have great benefits for you and your local health care community. If you’re interested in fulfilling your potential by becoming a nurse anesthetist, use our school listings to contact local CRNA schools.

Advanced Clinical Nurse Leadership Degrees in Minnesota

Minnesota is a state that has been praised many times in the health care industry for its dedication to health care funding and research. These efforts have paid off for Minnesota residents, leading to improved health care outcomes and an increased variety of options for patients.

Featured Programs:

How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Minnesota?

If you want to influence the field of health care as a nursing leader, you need to be skilled in many different areas of practice. After all, you’ll be a trusted source of information for nurses, patients, patients’ families, and others in the health care industry.

You may develop your knowledge in many varied areas, including diagnosis, advanced care procedures, leadership theories and techniques, ethical and legal issues in nursing, and evidence-based practice.

Covering all these topics may require you to complete 39 credits, an endeavor that requires four to five semesters of work. During this time, you may develop your knowledge by enrolling in courses like:

Ethical Dimensions for Nursing Practice
Foundations of Integrative Care
Health Policy and Leadership
Leadership in Health Care Systems
Managing a Diverse Workforce
Models for Problem Solving

In most Minnesota schools, you’ll need to complete an internship or prove your knowledge in another way. Several Minnesota schools require the completion of a scholarly paper, an end-of-program presentation, or a capstone project. Even if clinical experience is not required at your school, you may want to consider completing an internship either way. Hands-on work in leadership and networking with successful nurse leaders can have a positive impact on your career after graduation.

Although nurse leadership is not regulated by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, a registered nursing license is a prerequisite of national certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader. As a result, you must renew your nursing license every two years and complete 24 hours of continuing education during each cycle.

National certification can be earned through the AACN. You receive your certification after passing a comprehensive three-hour exam. Every five years, you have to renew your license.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?

The role of a registered nurse is fairly well defined in the health care industry. No matter which state you live in or which facility you work for, the tasks involved with nursing tend to be somewhat similar. This is not always the case in nurse leadership.

While the AACN has defined the scope of practice for Clinical Nurse Leaders, each facility retains the right to assign nurse managers to responsibilities that meet the needs of the organization.

This is why it is important to look into many different job opportunities. At one organization, they may need a nurse leader who can manage the administrative work of the nursing department. At another, they may be looking for a nurse leader who spends 90% of their time on the nursing floor working with patients.

If you become certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader, it is important to recognize the role of patient care in your job. Though you may now be in a management position, you must still spend a significant amount of your time with patients.

Since the health care industry of Minnesota is very strong, you may be able to learn a lot from established nurse leaders in your area. When you become a member of a group like the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing, you may explore employment opportunities and learn from nurse leaders.

Don’t be afraid to create the nursing career that you want. You can get more information by contacting graduate nursing leadership programs in Minnesota.

Minnesota Research Nursing Graduate Programs

Minnesota is a state known for its dedication to education and health care. While working as a registered nurse, you have likely benefited from the advances made in health policy and nursing standards. Minnesota’s commitment to these fields has created an environment where you, as a nurse, can advance your career and use your skills to further the health industry of Minnesota.

Research is a major area of growth for Minnesota’s nursing community. The Minnesota Nurses Association indicates that expansion in this area is a long-term goal. Colleges, universities, and medical institutions hope to take the field of nursing into the future by investing in research and those who can look at nursing in a scientific way. Studying nursing research may give you the chance to work in teaching, technology, or the development of nursing standards.

Find out how you can take the next step in this field by requesting information from research nursing graduate programs in Minnesota.

Minnesota Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

Since you have already gone through the hard work of earning a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you know that nursing education is a big commitment in terms of time and effort. However, the benefits of a research degree are worth it. By the time you graduate, you should be able to interpret and apply research studies, design and carry out nursing research, and identify areas of the industry that require further scrutiny and research. All of this takes place over the course of two to three years. The majority of programs in Minnesota include 30 to 40 credits.

Nursing research programs tend to be fairly rigorous, which you should anticipate as you look over the curriculum of your chosen school. As a graduate student, you may be expected to enroll in courses like Designing and Testing Clinical Interventions, Health Care & Public Policy, Programs of Research and Grantsmanship, Conceptual Foundations of Clinical Research, Qualitative Research Methods, and Quantitative Research Methods.

As you work through your program, you may start to discover areas of research that most interest you. You may want to focus your clinical hours on these areas of study, since the work you do as a graduate student may determine the course of your career.

The Minnesota Nurses Association/Foundation supports those who want to go into research through research grants. You must be a member to apply for these grants. Each grant is worth between $5000 and $10,000.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Minnesota

Expected growth in Minnesota’s research industry closely mirrors anticipated job growth throughout the country.

When you start your research career, you may become part of local groups and initiatives that hope to expand nursing research throughout the state. This may involve participating in research at local educational institutions and health care providers. At the Nursing Research Council of Fairview Health Services, executives hope to increase bedside nursing research, critique research, and provide feedback to different research studies.

It is clear that you can make a big difference in the world of nursing by becoming a clinical researcher. To take the first step in this career, contact local schools by looking at our list of clinical nurse research programs in Minnesota.

Minnesota Certified Nurse Midwife Degrees

What is your goal as a nursing professional? Do you want to provide high-quality care to your patients, use your understanding of nursing research to affect change in this industry, and work with an underserved patient group? If so, you may be an excellent fit for a career in nurse midwifery. In Minnesota’s urban, suburban, and rural communities, there is a growing need for woman-focused care providers who can tailor their services to meet a patient’s needs.

Reach out to the CNM schools in Minnesota today to request program details and learn more about your options.

With a nurse midwifery education, you may have the freedom to take your career into a variety of settings. Some CNMs work in hospitals, while others work in birth centers, which are popping up all over the country. Whatever your career goals are, it all begins with the right education. Keep reading to find out more about certified nurse midwife programs in Minnesota.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Minnesota

As an aspiring nurse midwife, you have to explore many different learning areas and meet a range of learning goals to be successful. You should be able to assess a healthy adult patient, perform the appropriate preventative tests to diagnose or prevent problems, navigate the processes of labor and birth, and use physical assessment to check the health of newborns and infants. Learning all these skills can take quite a bit of time, so you should plan on spending two to four years in a graduate degree. By the time you graduate, you should have at least 30 credits.

The courses included in advanced nursing curricula are designed to meet these learning goals and even help you exceed them. After exploring courses like Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, Antepartum Management, and Contraception, you can start in on your high-level classes. This may include courses like Disparities in Women’s Health, Antepartum Complications, Family Theory, Advanced Scholarship in Nursing Research, and Intrapartum Management.

Many of the classes you enroll in may have a clinical component. In your clinical hours, you can learn how to function as a high-ranking member of a health care team, tailor your care to suit individual patients’ needs, and practice the skills you’ve been taught in your classes. This is a major part of your training, so you can look forward to spending at least 1,000 hours in clinics and hospitals.

When you decide to work in an in-demand field like nursing, you may enjoy the freedom of applying for financial aid. Many organizations and employers are trying to increase the amount of nursing students who are advancing their education. Look into scholarships offered by the Minnesota Student Nurses Association to get started. The Minnesota Center for Nursing also gives financial awards to promising students. Joining the Minnesota Nurses Association can give you access to many high-value scholarships.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Minnesota

Completing your advanced nursing degree means that you are close to finally working independently as a certified nurse midwife. The certification step is overseen by the American Midwifery Certification Board. This process requires you to pass a comprehensive midwifery exam and supply proof of your credentials. You can then contact the Minnesota Nursing Board to turn your registered nursing license into an advanced practice license.

Is it time to use your nursing experience in a new way? If you’re ready, use our list of schools to contact certified nurse midwife programs in Minnesota.

Minnesota Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs

Minnesota is a state that’s known for its strong medical industry and many world-renowned medical centers. If you’re a registered nurse who’s ready to take your career to the next level and learn from the best in the industry, you may be in the right place.

The experience you gain as a registered nurse can be used in a variety of ways. Becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) may give you the chance to work in research, nurse management, and advanced clinical care.

To learn about the opportunities for becoming a CNS in Minnesota, contact the schools you see below and request program details.

Clinical nurse specialists play an important role in nursing teams across the state. They may take on duties in the medical and nursing spheres, making them a valuable asset to both. If you’re invested in the field of nursing and ready to take on more responsibility, learn more about clinical nurse specialist programs in Minnesota.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Minnesota

Becoming a CNS can take several years of intensive study and dedicated clinical work. However, when you succeed, you can be rewarded with a greater scope of practice, the ability to serve as a leader, and the knowledge you need to serve patients in a variety of ways.

You should anticipate spending two to four years in school as a CNS student. Most programs in this region require between 40 and 50 credits. In your early days as a CNS student, you may take core nursing classes that build your knowledge of nursing theories and skills. These courses may include Applications of Research to Nursing Practice, Statistical Literacy in Nursing Research, Theoretical Basis of Nursing, and Context of Health Care in Advanced Practice Nursing.

Once you’ve met these requirements, you can move on to high-level classes. Courses that may fit into this category include Human Development Through the Lifespan, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Health Assessment and Measurement, and Clinical Pharmacology.

Clearly, it’s important to have a strong theoretical understanding of nursing and its role in the health care industry. However, you must also be able to put these skills to work in a clinical setting. That’s why clinical hours are so important. Over the course of your program, you should spend several hundred hours in hospitals and clinics near you.

Minnesota is home to many different associations and employers that provide nursing scholarships for strong students. Through the Minnesota Student Nurses Association, you can apply for scholarships from a number of sources. At the state government level, you may wish to apply for grants through the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. Another major resource for financial aid is the Minnesota Nurses Association.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Minnesota

Once you complete your education and get your Master’s degree, you should be ready to tackle the challenges of working as a clinical nurse specialist. However, you still have to meet licensing requirements before you can work independently. The Minnesota Nursing Board requires you to have a valid registered nursing license and apply for advanced standing. Once you have advanced standing on your current license, you can work as a clinical nurse specialist.

Your nursing degree puts you in a great place to grow and expand your career. Take the next step in your education by contacting clinical nurse specialist programs in Minnesota today.

Minnesota Public Health Graduate Programs

One of the most important and far-reaching parts of the health care industry is public health. Almost every medical specialty is affected by public health efforts, including women’s health care, disease treatment, pediatrics, and geriatric care. When a state reaches its public health goals, the citizens benefit.

Minnesota is a state that has done remarkably well with regards to public health. Their Public Health Nurse Consultants work within a specific geographic location to develop programs, educate residents, and advocate for different health reforms.

If you are ready to use your registered nursing experience to influence Minnesota health programs, contact the schools on our site to explore public health nursing graduate programs in Minnesota.

Featured Programs:

Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Minnesota

With your Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you should know about the many specialties that are affected by public health and how public health efforts can benefit each specialty. This may prepare you to apply for Master’s degree programs in public health nursing. Credit requirements vary a bit from school to school, but in general, programs expect you to complete between 30 and 40 credits.

While completing your 30 to 40 credits, you should gain experience in the different roles filled by public health nurses. This may involve studying disease, public health problems in different age groups, how to educate the public on health risks, and advocating for legislative change. Some of the courses you may enroll in include Theoretical Perspectives in Nursing, Advanced Nursing Theory, Epidemiology, Seminar in Public Health Nursing, and Health Policy.

You may also learn from experienced public health nurses and professionals during your clinical courses. Clinical courses are meant to test your ability to apply knowledge to real-life work situations. You may get experience at local public health agencies or statewide programs.

Minnesota has a fairly strong educational infrastructure, so there are many financial aid options in place for those who want an advanced nursing degree. The Minnesota Department of Health runs several loan forgiveness and repayment programs for advanced nursing students.

The Role of Public Health Nurses in Minnesota

All over the country, the demand for nursing professionals is growing. One goal of public health is to improve the health experience of at-risk groups. Some of your work may focus on the health care of children, elderly, and economically disadvantaged. A recent study in Minnesota indicated that the quality of care in nursing homes has increased for ethnic minority groups. This is a major public health success, since there has historically been a significant gap between quality of care for different groups.

If you are ready to use your expertise to make Minnesota a healthier place, take the first step now by contacting public health nursing programs in Minnesota.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Minnesota

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and becoming established in the nursing community of Minnesota, you may be well-adjusted to the demands of the healthcare industry. With your dedication to nursing, you can explore many career paths and opportunities.

One growing area of opportunity is healthcare policy. When policies are made by those with little to no experience in the medical industry, healthcare employees often find that policies are impractical or ill-conceived. By contributing to policy, you can change this trend.

In Minnesota, healthcare policy tends to be quite strong. On a national scale, Minnesota is rated the fourth-best state for overall health and the single best state for healthcare (Star Tribune).

You can influence change in many areas of healthcare with an education in policy. Learn more about what you can do with this degree by touching base with graduate programs in healthcare policy in Minnesota.

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Minnesota

Being able to influence healthcare policy is a significant responsibility, and you should be willing to study in-depth to prepare for this new career goal. To enroll in a healthcare policy program, you must have a Bachelor’s degree.

A Bachelor’s degree in nursing is one of the most beneficial options, since it provides you with insight into the healthcare system that may serve you well in your Master’s degree. In addition, relevant work experience is often required. Some schools require up to five years of work experience in the healthcare sector.

By the time you graduate, you should plan on earning roughly 40 credits. Most of your credits may be earned through courses like Public Health in the US Healthcare System, Health and Health Systems, Health Services Policy, Demographic Data for Policy Analysis, Advanced Quantitative Methods, Decision Analysis for Healthcare, Survey Research Methods, and Health Disparities in Research.

The other part of your education is practical experience. Each school has their own programs in place for work experience, so your options may include an internship, work practicum course, or clinical rotation. On top of this requirement, many schools expect you to complete a final thesis or capstone project.

As a nurse, you may use your professional experience and certification to provide credibility to your policy stances. In that case, it is important to stay active in the nursing community. Through the Minnesota Board of Nursing, you must renew your nursing license every two years. During this time, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Minnesota?

There are many different areas of legislation and policy creation that you may influence as a nurse. The opportunities available to you are dependent mostly on your passions, the amount of experience you have, and what the priorities of the nursing community are.

If you look at the Minnesota Nurses Association, you’ll find that they back legislation supporting safe patient care standards, the prevention of workplace violence against nurses, universal healthcare options, and blocking the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Your career may also put you in a position to work with government agencies and departments. The Minnesota Department of Health—Division of Health Policy explores topics like healthcare spending, electronic health records, insurance coverage, and the financial stability of health facilities.

As a health policy expert, you may work with government agencies, lobbying groups, legislators from different political parties, and other groups supporting the long-term healthcare goals of Minnesota.

If you are intrigued by the possibilities of a career in healthcare legislation, this is the time to explore your options and find out how you can change Minnesota for the better.

Get started by requesting information from Minnesota graduate healthcare policy programs below.