Master’s in Nursing Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia is a state known for its wide range of health care needs, due to its sizable rural population. With health care changing throughout the country, West Virginia is also working towards higher-quality care for its many residents. A Master’s degree in nursing may equip you with the skills you need to play a major role in the health care industry. If you are ready to explore your options for earning your MSN, West Virginia offers several programs to choose from. Contact the schools below to receive detailed information on their offerings.

Featured Programs:

Working With Your MSN in West Virginia

Thanks to long-term goals laid out by the West Virginia Nursing Action Coalition, nursing educators are in demand throughout the state. This organization, as well as health care providers around the state, hope to ensure that 80% of West Virginia nurses have Bachelor’s degrees. Nurse educators are needed to teach at this higher level and help meet statewide goals. In general, the state hopes to increase the amount of graduating registered nurses; WorkForce West Virginia indicates that registered nurses are expected to be in great demand for years to come.

There are quite a few fields in which you can go into advanced nursing practice. The United States Health Resources and Services Administration notes that there are 124 primary care shortage areas in West Virginia. The scope of practice of nurse practitioners has slowly increased over the years, empowering NP graduates to offer primary care in many rural areas.

In addition, the West Virginia Women’s Commission hopes to reach out to young women and inspire them to pursue nursing specialty and leadership roles in their community.

West Virginia, like most states, has many nursing career options for RNs who have their masters degree. These career options are diverse, and may include those of a nurse educator and a nurse administrator.

As a nurse educator you can teach nursing students in a college or you can work in a hospital setting by helping other nurses keep up with updates in the field of nursing. As a nurse administrator you will work with upper level management in hospitals or clinical settings. Nurse administrators can manage hospital floors or departments or work in positions like a CNO.

If you would like to learn more about getting an MSN degree or about either of these careers, contact one of the schools listed on this page.

Nursing Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

Though all career fields are important, it’s possible that nursing is one of the most crucial healthcare careers in the United States. Nurses are responsible for educating patients, helping them understand a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan, providing timely and appropriate care, and ensuring that they have a pleasant health care experience. This is even more true in a state like West Virginia, where residents of rural areas may not have the same access to health care that urbanites do. Want to become a major figure in the West Virginia nursing community? Look into MSN programs in your city.

The West Virginia Action Coalition is one of the largest nursing organizations in the state. Many of their initiatives and long-term goals may give graduate-level nurses a more positive work environment. They note the importance of bringing in more nurse educators, since one goal is to significantly increase the amount of West Virginia nurses with BSNs. Furthermore, they want to increase the freedom of practice enjoyed by nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and other clinical nurse specialists. Earning an MSN in West Virginia may put you in a position to affect change throughout the state.

If you want to improve the state of rural health in West Virginia, earning a Master’s degree in Nursing can give you the skills and authority to do so. The West Virginia Rural Health Association hopes to better rural health care by offering ongoing education, legislative updates, and conference opportunities to nursing professionals.

Becoming an advanced practice nurse can make a big difference in health care access in this state. Becoming a nurse practitioner can give you the chance to take on some of the same job responsibilities and services as medical doctors.

Moving from a BSN to a Master’s program in nursing in West Virginia is a major step in most nursing careers, which is why most MSN programs in West Virginia have such stringent entrance requirements for students. You may need to have earned a high GPA in your BSN program or have completed extracurricular courses that are related to your specialty of choice. It’s also likely that you’ll need nursing experience. Most graduate nursing programs require one to two years of full-time nursing experience.

When you get accepted to a Master’s degree program, you may have to choose a nursing specialty. There are clinical specialties, like nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner. There are also more administrative tracks, like nursing leadership, nursing research, and nurse education. Clinical programs tend to take slightly longer than administrative programs, so keep this in mind as you choose a nursing path.

The core of your program may give you a look at different aspects of graduate-level nursing and the roles played by MSN graduates. Core courses that may be required in West Virginia graduate nursing programs include Nursing Theories, Health Care Policy and Politics, and Advanced Health Assessment. Though some of these courses have clinical requirements, they are largely based in theory and can sometimes be completed online.

Other course requirements vary between specialties. Nursing administration students may take courses like Organizational Behavior, Financial Management, and Nursing Leadership. Nurse education students can take classes like Nursing Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Technology, and Nursing Evaluation.

Once you’ve decided on a path and been accepted to an MSN program, you can start applying for scholarships and earning funds for your education. The West Virginia Department of Education awards several nursing-specific scholarships to public school students. At the West Virginia Center for Nursing, you can apply for scholarships through the MSN and Doctoral Scholarship Program.

You must pursue the proper nursing license after earning your MSN. The West Virginia RN Board licenses nursing professionals throughout the state. At all times, your RN license must be current and in good standing. If you are in a clinical specialty, you must also maintain an advanced practice license.

West Virginia RN to MSN Bridge Programs

Your nursing career in West Virginia has likely given you the opportunity to help hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Rural communities in this state heavily rely on nursing professionals that can provide patient-centered, evidence-based care. With your experience and prior nursing education, you may be a good fit for an RN-to-MSN bridge program in West Virginia. As an MSN student, you can take your nursing education a step further and study an advanced nursing field like nursing practice, nursing research, or nursing education. You can have an even bigger impact on the people of West Virginia with this degree!

Prior to applying for nursing programs in West Virginia, you will want to make sure that you meet their admissions requirements. Since you may need to keep up with an accelerated program, you will likely need a high GPA in your associate’s degree to qualify for acceptance to an RN-to-MSN program. Work experience is another core part of a school’s admissions requirements; most schools require one to two years of full-time work experience.

Some of the courses you’ll take as an MSN student focus on the theory behind nursing. Courses you may take in this field include Research and Systematic Analysis, Health Policy & Finance, and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. These courses can help you explore some of the broader issues in health care that you’ll be expected to discuss as a nursing professional.

Other classes are centered around practical experience and clinical work. Some of the courses that are based in clinical experience include Lifespan Health Promotion, Advanced Pathophysiology, Concepts of Advanced Nursing, and Advanced Assessment. These courses count toward your clinical requirements. Many programs in West Virginia require 500 to 1,000 clinical hours. If you work as a nurse while earning your MSN, you may be able to complete your clinical hours at your place of employment.

One of the many benefits of working in a state like West Virginia is the nursing shortage. This shortage has led to an increase in nursing scholarships and grants for qualified students. Typically, you can begin applying for scholarships once you have been accepted to an MSN program. The West Virginia Center for Nursing has an MSN and Doctoral Scholarship program for MSN students. The award is worth up to $15,000 and you must agree to work in West Virginia for two years after graduation. The West Virginia Health Care Association offers multiple $750 scholarships to nursing and other health care students each year. On occasion, they award scholarships that are worth $1,500.

As you work toward your MSN, you may want to become familiar with licensing standards in West Virginia. These are laid out by the West Virginia RN Board, which also maintains information on the scope of practice of different nursing professionals. Only certain jobs are required to get advanced nursing licenses: nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Since most other careers are administrative or educational in nature, you just have to keep your RN license.

Nursing in West Virginia means dedicating yourself to people that may have limited access to health care and improving their health through practice, research, leadership, and education. No matter where your nursing interests lie, earning an MSN can put you in the perfect position to make a difference in West Virginia health care.

West Virginia Direct Entry MSN

Have you ever thought about a rewarding career in nursing, but you hold a bachelor’s degree in another field? A direct entry MSN degree may be the right track for you. Learn how you can advance your education and enjoy a rewarding career in the field of nursing today. You can request information about Direct Entry MSN programs in West Virginia directly from our site to learn more.

Direct Entry MSN Degrees in West Virginia

A direct entry MSN degree is designed for those who have graduated with a non-nursing degree. It offers a direct route into a graduate level nursing program with the potential of graduating with a master’s degree upon completion. This type of program builds upon the knowledge you gained from your undergraduate degree and prepares you to advance to a higher level in the field of nursing. In a direct entry MSN program, your science and general education credits previously earned can be applied toward your MSN degree.

The start of your nursing education will focus on the basics of nursing. Generally, most programs will have you complete your bachelor’s degree requirements before jumping into a more rigorous academic workload of the MSN degree. With a strong foundation in the fundamentals of nursing, you should be well prepared to pass the NCLEX (RN licensure exam) and start a more advanced course of study.

A sample course outline could include:

Foundations 1: Health Assessment & Fundamentals
Foundations II: Health Assessment and Fundamentals
Research and Evidence as a Foundation For Nursing
Pathophysiology Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice
Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice
Nursing Concepts and Intervention, Adult/Older Adult
Family-centered Nursing of Children
Concepts and Intervention – Promotion of Mental Health
Quality and Patient Safety
Nursing Care for Patients with Chronic Conditions
Maternity Nursing and Women’s Health
Nursing Concepts and Intervention, Adult/Older Adult II
Nursing Care for Patients with Acute Conditions
Health Outcomes
Theoretical Foundations
Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
Ethics, Policy and Health Care Advocacy
Organizational and Systems Leadership
Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum
Advanced Pharmacology
Advanced Health Care Assessment (Pediatrics or Adult/Older Adult)
Informatics, Technology and Professional Issues
Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum

Your classes may vary depending on your specialization. Specializing makes it possible for you to focus on an area of nursing that you are particularly interested in. When considering a program, you will want to make sure the specialization you are interested in is offered. Many nurses with an MSN degree seek careers as nurse anesthetists, midwives, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists.

With a master’s degree in nursing, you are setting yourself up for increased marketability in the job market. With a more advanced degree you may potentially see an increase in your salary as well.

Not only is there a potential for higher pay, but there is also a higher demand for nurses with an advanced degree. The need for nurses in West Virginia is overwhelming. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) calculates that over 76 percent of West Virginia’s residents are living in medically underserved areas. To control the rising costs of healthcare and to meet the medical needs of this area, more nurses are needed.

The shortage of nurses in West Virginia is just a small fraction of the underlying problem throughout the entire United States. Nursing programs are turning away applicants because there are not enough educators to handle the amount of students. You may not have known that you can specialize in nursing education. A MSN degree may qualify you to become a nurse educator, a career that can broadly benefit the profession.

There are many kinds of programs available to help relieve the financial burden of getting your master’s degree. Take a look at the AACN’s financial aid web page for graduate degrees. They have a lengthy list of scholarships that you may be able to qualify for. Another great resource is the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and Scholarship Program. These programs are designed to provide financial help to students as an incentive to continue their education.

If you are interested in a rewarding career in the nursing field, don’t hesitate to start looking at programs that will fit your specific needs. A direct entry MSN may be exactly what you are looking for. Request information from the nursing schools in West Virginia that offer Direct Entry MSN programs today.

West Virginia CRNA Programs

As a working registered nurse, chances are good that you know how important proper anesthesia can be in clinical settings. Pain relief allows doctors and surgeons to focus on their work, keeps patients pain-free, and minimizes the risk of dangerous infections. In many parts of the United States, anesthesiologists are not the primary providers of pain relief—nurse anesthetists, advanced nurses with high-level training in anesthesiology, provide the majority of anesthesia services.

This statement is especially true in states like West Virginia, where rural hospitals serve most of the population. Few hospitals have the need or budget for anesthesiologists, and nurse anesthetists can provide most of the same services in a cost-effective manner. If you’d like to learn more about how you can become a CRNA in WV, reach out to the schools listed on our site to learn more.

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists notes that nurse anesthetists are a crucial part of practice in many medical specialties. The two main fields in which CRNAs work are obstetrics and surgery, although CRNA services may be used in other specialties like emergency care and chronic pain management.

If you’re a registered nurse who is ready to take the next step in your nursing career, you may find what you’re looking for in nurse anesthesia. Learn more about nurse anesthesia programs in West Virginia to find out if this is the right career path for you.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in West Virginia

After finding out what a nurse anesthetist does, it should be clear to you that this is a highly-respected specialty with strict expectations of its practitioners. Because of this, nurse anesthesia programs in West Virginia tend to have fairly stringent admissions requirements. However, they are very manageable in most cases. By working hard in nursing school and getting plenty of experience with your degree, you may be able to meet or exceed the admissions requirements of CRNA programs.

To start, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Very few schools have RN-to-MSN programs for nurse anesthetists. In addition, you must have a fairly high GPA from your undergraduate years. Most schools require a GPA of at least 3.0. Several years of nursing experience may be required. You may need specialized experience in critical care, surgical nursing, or emergency care, as these are the situations in which many nurse anesthetists work.

Once you’ve been accepted to the CRNA program of your choice, you can begin tackling your coursework. Early classes in your curriculum may include Principles of Anesthesia, Advanced Health Assessment, Theoretical Foundations for Nursing, and Advanced Pharmacology. Advanced coursework may include classes like Research Methods in Nurse Anesthesia, Clinical Anesthesia, and Advanced Principles of Anesthesia. In these courses, you gain a breadth of clinical experience. Your clinical experience must exceed 550 cases by graduation.

With acceptance to a CRNA program, you can start looking into financial aid options in West Virginia. Quite a few associations, schools, and employers provide financial aid to advanced nursing students. The West Virginia Center for Nursing funds scholarships for graduate nursing students, as does the state-sponsored Health Sciences Scholarship Program. CAMC, a local nursing employer, financially supports graduate nurses in different specialties.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in West Virginia

After completing your degree, the next step in your career is getting your advanced nursing license. This requires you to apply for certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and then pursue your state license through the West Virginia RN Board. They require proof of your national certification, a copy of your graduate degree transcript, and proof of your current, valid RN license.

Once you have your CRNA license, you can begin working independently in a clinical setting. You must have professional liability insurance before you work on patients; this is a licensing requirement and a requirement of nursing employers. Your insurance protects you and your employer from liability in the case of an error or accident.

As you prepare to start your career, consider joining the West Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists. This group supports the interests of CRNAs across the state through legislative efforts, advocacy support, and continuing education opportunities. Membership in this group may put you in touch with other anesthesiology professionals and allow you to learn about upcoming professional opportunities in your area.

Are your ready to invest in your future with an advanced nursing degree? Contact CRNA programs in West Virginia to learn more about how to get started today.

Forensic Nursing in West Virginia

Are you considering taking the next step in your nursing career with a Master’s degree? This may be the ideal time to advance your education, get started in a nursing specialty, and broaden your scope of practice.

Forensic nursing is one of the fastest growing specialties in healthcare, thanks to the connection it creates between healthcare and criminal justice. Regardless of how safe a town or city may be, crime is inevitable, and it is important for healthcare professionals to have the skills needed to care for victimized patients. That is why the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services, among other organizations, has developed a Sexual Assault Response Team that makes immediate care a reality for patients.

Why not learn more about forensic nurse degrees in West Virginia now?

Master’s Degree Programs in Forensic Nursing in West Virginia

The forensic nursing degree you choose depends on your short-term and long-term career goals, how much time you want to spend in school, and which programs are available near you. If your program of choice is not located in your geographic area, you may be able to complete some of your training online. Keep in mind, however, that clinical training must be done in person.

One option that is available at many West Virginia schools is Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training. These forensic nurse programs are designed to show you how to work empathetically with patients while making efficient use of time and properly preserving forensic evidence.

SANE Courses in West Virginia

Sexual Assault and Stalking
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault
Domestic Violence and Assault
Physical Examinations for Sexual Assault Victims
Collaboration with Criminal Justice Professionals

In your search, you may also come across graduate-level forensic nursing programs and legal nurse consulting programs. Both of these programs tend to be longer than SANE options, generally taking a number of years.

Forensic nursing certification is regulated by several agencies. Those who are going into legal nursing must apply for certification through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. With a Master’s degree, you may qualify for certification as an Advanced Forensic Nurse. You must complete an SANE program to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Both of these titles are awarded by the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification.

The Role of Forensic Nurses in West Virginia

With the in-depth training you get in your degree program, you should have clearly outlined career goals by the time you graduate.

If you study the field of legal nurse consulting, your job search may take you into law firms, government agencies, legal nurse consultation firms, or even the world of self-employment. Forensic nurses are employed in a diverse range of settings, including crime labs, research facilities, and law enforcement agencies.

As a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, you may look into openings at crisis centers, public clinics, and hospitals. In West Virginia, providing care to patients in rural areas is a major concern, which is why the state has developed the Regional Mobile SANE Project. If you seek employment in this program, your job may involve traveling to rural areas when a victim needs a physical examination.

Don’t wait any longer to discover which forensic nursing opportunity is right for you.

Reach out to forensic nurse schools below to get started.

West Virginia Clinical Nurse Leader

Health care legislation in the United States has changed the face of medical care forever, especially in West Virginia. West Virginia has always had issues with attracting and keeping health care professionals, due to the remote layout of the state’s rural communities. However, with new legislation, staffing needs are even greater in West Virginia facilities.

By earning a Master’s degree and exploring new options in nursing, you may be able to make care more accessible and convenient for people in your community.

Nurse leaders help primary care providers make the most of their time and provide patients with more affordable care options. Laure Marino, a nurse leader in West Virginia, recently received a prestigious award for her innovations in care integration (WV Gazette-Mail).

Graduate nursing education may also prepare you to address the specific needs of West Virginia, such as opiate addiction in newborns (Dayton Daily News). This problem, known as generational addiction, can only be improved through research, evidence, and patient-centered care.

Are you ready to lead West Virginia nurses into the new age of health care? Discover your options by reaching out to Master’s in nurse leadership programs in West Virginia.

Featured Programs:

How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in West Virginia?

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Leader is a multi-step process. When you complete it and become certified as a CNL, you can expand your scope of practice and do more for your patients.

First, you must get accepted to a graduate nurse leadership program in West Virginia. This requires a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, work experience, and a valid nursing license. You can keep your license up-to-date through the West Virginia RN Board, which requires you to renew your license by October 31 every year.

As a full-time student, you may earn your Master’s degree in as little as four semesters. You can meet the goals of your graduate program by taking these courses and others like them:

System-Based Decision Making
Program Planning and Evaluation
Leadership in Health Care
Lifespan Health Care and Promotion
Health Policy
Concepts in Advanced Nursing
Managing Health Care Resources

Clinical work may be another graduate school requirement in West Virginia. Spending several hundred hours in a local hospital or clinic can make the transition to CNL a bit easier. Certain West Virginia programs do not have any clinical requirements, so you can complete your degree online.

Once you have finished these steps, you may apply for certification through the AACN. You must pass a three-hour CNL exam and pass a background check, at which point you become certified for five years. During each five-year period, you must complete 50 hours of continuing education.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do in West Virginia?

As a nurse leader, you are expected to be an example to the nursing community as a whole. Throughout West Virginia, there are new nursing professionals who are learning the standards of this industry. Part of your leadership role is encouraging nursing education, serving as a mentor, and upholding the strong reputation of nurses everywhere.

The time you spend with patients is essential. The expertise you develop in a CNL program should show you how to look at patients as individuals while still considering their backgrounds, their health lifestyles, and their cohort. This analytical way of thinking is meant to improve individual patient care while contributing to a greater understanding of patient care in general. You may also contribute to higher standards of patient care by designing and analyzing nursing research.

Staying up-to-date on the nursing industry is much easier when you are part of the local nursing community. On top of being active in nursing associations, you may want to take part in programs like the West Virginia Nursing Leadership Institute. This program encourages new nurse leaders and establishes standards for local nurse leaders.

Through your work as a nurse, you can influence the future of the health care field. If you’re ready to improve nursing for patients, nurses, and families, start exploring your options by requesting information from graduate nurse leadership programs in West Virginia.

West Virginia Research Nursing Graduate Programs

If you are contemplating a career change, then enrolling in a nursing research program in West Virginia may provide numerous options in the research and development sector. As a nurse with a master’s degree or doctorate, you can help the community’s healthcare system by providing direct care and promoting quality health outcomes (Nursing World). Depending on your place of employment, you may even shape healthcare policy at a federal, state, or local level. Being a licensed clinical nurse researcher, you may need to:

Teach research methodologies to undergraduate nursing students
Conduct and design independent nursing research
Work with scientists in the medical and pharmaceutical industry
Implement research programs for nurses and other medical professionals

Before you can find employment at a medical facility or lab in West Virginia, you will need to earn your Master of Science in Nursing or your Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Be sure to enroll in a program that has CCNE accreditation through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which ensures the college focuses mainly on educational quality and interrelationship excellence (AACN).

You can find the tools to evaluate accredited clinical research programs today by contacting the WV nursing schools below.

WV Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

Most accredited RN to MSN programs in West Virginia require you to complete certain educational prerequisites before you can enroll at the college. You may need to have earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a specialty focus, and you will certainly need to have earned your RN license by taking the NCLEX exam.

As a student in a nursing research program, you can earn your master’s degree or doctorate, depending on your career aspirations. Master’s degree programs entail two to three years of educational training and 500 hours in a clinical practicum. Classroom instruction will train you in the methodologies of evaluating research findings, developing and implementing evidence-based practice guidelines, initiating new research, and honing your team leadership skills. You can click on a college below to learn more about available nursing research programs in WV.

If you are a career-oriented individual, you may enter a research- or practice-focused doctoral nursing program, which may take an additional two to three years. Doctorate programs offer the highest nursing practice level after an initial discipline preparation. You will learn how to provide complex clinical interventions through the translation of scientific knowledge, evaluate research translation through advanced leadership skills, and implement new policy research opportunities through collaboration with other scientists. If you are in a research-focused program, you will focus on pursuing intellectual inquiries and conducting independent research.

Instructors will train you on:

Planning and launching successful independent research programs
Seeking crucial support for a program’s initial phase
Involving other students and clinicians in a program

When it comes to getting financial assistance to cover your college costs, several options may be available to you, including a college scholarship, federal assistance, and a healthcare organization loan. If your college does not offer medical scholarships, then you may qualify for a loan or scholarship program through the Health Resources and Services Administration. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers additional aid options, depending on the program you enroll in.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in West Virginia

Recent employment growth could produce additional job opportunities for you in the following sectors of West Virginia’s medical industry:

Natural science manager
Research administrator
Clinical research coordinator
Healthcare policy advocate

Because the yearly income for clinical research coordinators is lower than the national average, you should make sure to ascertain the available certifications in your field of expertise, which can be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Get started toward your new career as a clinical nurse researcher in West Virginia today by contacting the schools below for program details.

West Virginia Certified Nurse Midwife Programs

It takes all sorts of medical professionals to keep the health care industry of West Virginia running smoothly. West Virginia has a largely rural population that often lacks affordable or practical access to doctors, increasing the state’s need for high-level nursing professionals. Learning about pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health issues can put you in a position to serve the women of West Virginia as a certified nurse midwife (CNM).

Contact the schools on our site to find out how you can find and enroll in a CNM program in West Virginia, setting yourself on track to a rewarding nursing career.

Certified nurse midwives offer a unique care experience to women of all ages, but in many cases, their specialty is serving women in the childbearing stages of life. CNMs may offer evidence-based childbirth options to West Virginia women in birthing centers or hospitals. Certified nurse midwives are often part of a health care team that includes OB/GYNs and perinatologists, allowing them to transfer care when a patient becomes high-risk or needs extra assistance.

Are you ready to advance your nursing education and start your career as a nurse midwife? Request information from the schools on RNtoMSN.com to learn more about certified nurse midwife courses in West Virginia.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in West Virginia

The process of becoming a certified nurse midwife is fairly lengthy, but once you graduate, you can work independently with the women and newborns of West Virginia.

To qualify for admission to a nurse midwifery program, you should have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school. You may also need to have some experience as a registered nurse—schools in West Virginia tend to require anywhere between one and three years.

When you begin your CNM education, you may start with a core curriculum. This curriculum covers the health care needs of women on a broad scale by looking at topics like health assessment, physical assessment, common health problems, nutrition, and mental health.

Upon completing your core health courses, you may start learning about the intrapartum and postpartum care of childbearing women. As you go through your clinical rotations, you can work with women at various stages of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. As you learn more and develop your theoretical understanding of women’s care, you may be able to take on more responsibility in your clinical work.

Your curriculum should cover about two years of education and 30 to 40 credits. Classes you may be required to take include Introduction to Antepartum Management, Disparities in Women’s Health, Advanced Pharmacology, Family Theory, Antepartum Complications, and Contraception.

Throughout the state of West Virginia, there are many organizations and employers that award scholarships to CNM students. The West Virginia Center for Nursing supports graduate students with several scholarship programs. Scholarships worth up to $2,250 per year are awarded through the West Virginia Health Care Association. Another local resource for nursing students is the West Virginia Nurses Association.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in West Virginia

Before you can enjoy the benefits that may come with a nurse midwifery career, you must get the proper certification. This involves getting your national certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board. With proof of certification, a copy of your transcript, and a valid RN license, you may apply for CNM licensure through the West Virginia RN Board.

With your nursing skills and knowledge, you could be ready to succeed in the field of nurse midwifery. Take the first step today by contacting certified nurse midwife programs in West Virginia for program details.

West Virginia Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs

West Virginia is increasing the amount of advanced nurses in the state as an effective way to shorten wait times and help rural residents have access to affordable care. By becoming a clinical nurse specialist, you can help enact policies that make health care more accessible, provide direct clinical care to patients, and manage a staff of health care professionals.

Reach out to the nursing schools in WV with Clinical Nurse Specialist programs today to learn more.

Clinical nurse specialists are changing many aspects of health care. They may work at clinics to provide needed specialty services or provide emergency services to patients of varying medical needs. Discover clinical nurse specialist programs in West Virginia and how they can change your career.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in West Virginia

With your Bachelor’s degree in nursing and a valid registered nursing license, you can start preparing for a graduate nursing program. Keep in mind that these degree programs require two to three years of consecutive study. You may be able to work full-time as a CNS student, depending on the requirements and expectations of your instructors.

Specialty options vary between schools, so evaluate your options before selecting a college. Common programs include oncology, pediatrics, gerontology, and adult health.
Since clinical nurse specialists take on so many duties throughout the course of a work day, your education must be multifaceted and challenging.

Courses that may build the foundation of your training include Role Development for Advanced Practice Nurses, Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses, and Statistics for Health Care Professionals. As you move through your curriculum, you may enroll in classes like Physical Assessment for Clinical Nurse Specialists, Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Nurse Specialist Role Immersion, and Health Care Policy & Politics.

It’s important to meet or exceed the clinical requirements of your CNS program. As a graduate nursing student, you may complete more than 500 hours in your chosen work environment and specialty. You may take on more responsibility as you proceed through your training.

Thanks to West Virginia’s health care provider shortage, there are many scholarship programs in place for advanced practice nursing students. The West Virginia Health Care Association gives out awards ranging from $750 to $2,250. Scholarships worth up to $10,000 each are funded by the West Virginia Health Sciences Service Program. As part of this program, you must work in a rural part of Virginia after graduation. Another source for nursing scholarships is the West Virginia Center for Nursing.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in West Virginia

Since you already have a nursing license upon graduation, the process of becoming a clinical nurse specialist should be fairly straightforward. You have to become licensed as an advanced practice nurse through the West Virginia RN Board. They look at your clinical hours and the educational work you’ve completed. On top of that, they look for certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Once you have met all of these requirements, you may begin working as a clinical nurse specialist in West Virginia.

This may be an excellent time to start your career as a clinical nurse specialist. CNN Money reports that the average salary for a CNS is $86,500 per year. By the year 2022, they expect to see a 26% increase in clinical nurse specialist jobs. This growth may be even greater in the rural areas of West Virginia, so willingness to relocate may help you build your career.

Becoming a clinical nurse specialist can change your life and the lives of your patients. Take the first step today by reaching out to clinical nurse specialist programs in West Virginia.

West Virginia Public Health Nursing Grad Programs

If you are looking for career advancement opportunities in the medical field, then public health nursing offers career stability at the local, state, and federal levels. Your role as a public health nurse in West Virginia will entail protecting and promoting overall community health. Your main goal will be to help prevent illnesses and injuries while promoting wellness through the encouragement of healthy behaviors (APHA).

As a certified public health nurse, you will be involved with:

Conduct scientific research
Vaccinate the public
Teach tobacco and alcohol risks
Set safety standards

In order to become successful in the field of public health, you will likely need to enroll in a graduate degree program that has attained accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The CCNE ensures the nursing program fulfills the national nursing requirements and prepares you for the APHN-BC certification.

Click on a college to learn more about becoming a public health nurse in WV today.

Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in West Virginia

When enrolling in any master’s degree program in West Virginia, be prepared to provide your transcripts and a copy of your nursing license. Most colleges require you to have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. These credentials prove that you have a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of nursing.

If you do choose to attend an RN to MSN program in Public Health, you may have to have already taken the following subjects:

Health assessment
Nursing research
Applied statistics
Pathophysiology

Depending on if you take full-time or part-time courses, a master’s degree program may take between two and three years of classroom instruction and a required clinical practicum. As a graduate nursing student, you may need to choose a specialty field and take the corresponding courses.

Instructors may teach you how to improve your community’s access to affordable healthcare, advocate healthcare policy to governing authorities, and identify health risk factors in the community. Academic coursework in a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program may cover:

Advanced pathophysiology
Pharmacology in advanced practice nursing
Spiritual care
Research proposal writing

During the course of your clinical practicum, you will gain hands-on experience through the completion of around 500 hours at an approved facility.

Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for certain scholarships, fellowships, or loan programs. If your college does not offer a nursing scholarship, you can complete the FAFSA, or look into Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, and Nursing Student Loans. These programs may require you to provide proof of financial need in order to be eligible for assistance.

Contact the public health nursing graduate programs on our site to review financial assistance options today.

The Role of Public Health Nurses in West Virginia

Depending on your area of expertise, you may find yourself working in one of the following public health fields:

First response
Health education
Science and research
Community planning
Epidemiology
Public healthcare
Occupational health and safety
Public health policy
Environmental health (APHA)

Further your nursing career by enrolling in an RN to MSN program in West Virginia today.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in West Virginia

Registered nurses are an instrumental part of West Virginia healthcare. The hours you put in for your patients are the foundation of the medical industry, making the most of every medical professional’s time and ensuring that every single patient receives the care they deserve.

As you develop your intuition and your clinical thinking skills, you may gain the expertise you need to take on more specialized nursing roles. In particular, you may discover the growing needs in healthcare policy.

Health policy is enmeshed in a period of significant change right now, leading to the creation of the West Virginia Public Health Impact Task Force (WV MetroNews). With the development of this agency, the state hopes to restructure public health services and ensure that existing services are cost-efficient.

The world of health policy requires extensive training and in-depth knowledge. If you’re ready to take on this challenge, request information from Master’s in healthcare policy programs in West Virginia.

Featured Programs:

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in West Virginia

There are several signs that you may be well-suited to a career in healthcare policy. When you care for patients and think about a busy shift, do you often analyze trends in diagnoses, symptoms, and population groups? When there is a bad patient outcome, to think about how stronger or different policies could have prevented it? In general, do you look at nursing through the lens of population health, rather than the experience of each individual patient? If so, you may be in a great position to earn your Master’s degree.

In West Virginia, these programs last an average of 40 credits, which amounts to two or three years of study for a full-time student. After completing your classroom courses, you may round out your education with a practicum or an internship at a local hospital, nonprofit agency, or government agency.

Each West Virginia college and university sets its own learning priorities and goals. However, you may find that common topics in this area of study include management and administration, health laws, ethics and healthcare, population health, and epidemiology.

Your health policy curriculum may include courses like those listed here:

Health Economics for Public Health
Policy Tools
Environmental Health
Foundations of Health and Policy
Biostatistics
Capstone Course
Health Policy Management and Leadership
Epidemiology

Keeping your nursing license is one part of maintaining your credibility and expertise in the field of healthcare. The West Virginia RN Board requires license renewal every year by October 31.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in West Virginia?

Health policy experts go on to work in many different health settings and roles after graduation. If you enjoy working in the private sector, you may continue working for a hospital, clinic, or nursing home. These jobs often involve writing policies that are in line with evidence-based care. You may also work for the government in a variety of agencies and specialized roles. One of the largest health policy employers in West Virginia is the Health Policy Division of the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner.

Throughout your education and career, make sure you stay involved with local advocacy groups. The connections you get from these groups are invaluable, and group membership gives you a chance to learn about the causes that are important to healthcare employees.

The West Virginia Nurses Association contributes to legislation in many different areas, including the right of APRNs to sign death certificates, changes in medication schedules, the prescription of hydrocodone medications, and licensing requirements for nurses.

West Virginia healthcare needs to adapt quickly and efficiently to keep up with ongoing federal change. Do your part by becoming an active voice in health policy.

Request information from graduate healthcare policy programs in West Virginia below to get started.

Hospice Nursing in West Virginia

With a background in registered nursing and an in-depth knowledge of the field of hospice care, you may be ready to advance your education in this field and take on advanced care duties.

Hospice can be a difficult area to hire and retain medical professionals, due to the amount of travel that is required and due to the emotional strain this field can put on nurses. That makes it even more important for patients who need palliative care to have access to qualified professionals.

The hospice community of West Virginia protects patients and care providers through the Hospice Council of West Virginia, which ensures that hospice care providers maintain high standards of care.

Considering a switch to hospice and palliative care?

Get more information on hospice nurse certification by contacting West Virginia nursing schools.

Master’s Degree Programs in Hospice/Palliative Care Nursing in West Virginia

The first step toward advanced certification is selecting a graduate nursing program. Whether you decide to earn your degree online or in-person, you may earn up to 50 credits while earning a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist degree.

After choosing a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist degree, you must also select a specialized patient population. You may have options like pediatric care, geriatric care, women’s health, and mental health. Hospice certification is a secondary addition to your main area of certification.

Hospice RN Certification Coursework

Introduction to Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Current Issues in Hospice Care
Clinical Practice in End-of-Life Care
Fundamentals of Pediatric Palliative Care
Practical Aspects of Hospice Care

As the demand for advanced practice nurses grows in many states, quite a few government agencies and organizations award financial aid to graduate nursing students. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation, a national association for hospice care providers, awards $2,000 scholarships to qualified Master’s degree students.

After graduating, you may apply for licensure via the West Virginia Board of Nursing. You get your license after passing the required examinations. From there, you must earn national certification via the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center.

You become an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse after finishing 500 hours of experience in 12 months or 1,000 hours of experience in 24 months.

The Role of Hospice/Palliative Care Nurses in West Virginia

While working toward palliative care nursing certification, West Virginia graduates can meet their experience requirements at any hospice facilities throughout the state. Local employers include Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Hospice of the Panhandle, and VITAS Healthcare.

Job duties and schedules vary slightly between employers, but overall, the goals of hospice care are fairly well-defined across companies. You may take charge of a patient’s care at any point after they are diagnosed and decide to stop curative treatments.

Over the weeks or months you spend with a patient, you may become well-versed in their care preferences and their pain management needs. You may provide them with updates on their health and ensure that family members are kept informed. As a patient’s health begins to fail, you may spend more time with them at home, ensuring that their final moments are full of peace and free of pain.

With palliative care nurse certification, you may make a difference in the lives of patients who deserve a calm, peaceful transition between life and death.

Get more information on your education options by getting in touch with West Virginia schools.