If you are considering a career as a nurse, Winston Salem State University offers a number of nursing graduate programs. These include a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, a LPN to BSN, and an MSN.
The MSN program at WSSU is patient-centric and prepares you for advanced practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. It includes a 51-credit curriculum that requires you to complete 672 clinical hours in primary care settings.
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees allow nurses with bachelor’s degrees to advance their careers and open doors to new job opportunities. Some nurses earn their MSN in order to increase their salary, while others may want to become nurse educators or administrators.
There are a number of different ways to get your MSN degree, including earning it through a traditional post-baccalaureate program. These programs are usually full-time and require at least two years of study, although some schools offer three-year MSN courses that can be completed part-time or in a compressed timeframe.
WSSU offers several paths to obtain your BSN, including pre-licensure BSN, RN to BSN, ABSN, LPN to BSN, and Paramedic to BSN. The LPN to BSN option is designed for graduates of an accredited practical nursing program who have one year of direct patient care experience.
The master’s of nursing at WSSU is a comprehensive program that incorporates theoretical studies, clinical practicums and public service experiences that prepare students to deliver professional nursing care to diverse patients. These experiences foster values like kindness, compassion, justice and loyalty, as well as cultural competence and sensitivity.
Post-Master’s Certificate
If you are a nurse who wishes to gain specialized skills in the primary care of patients across the lifespan, you can apply to the Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nursing Care offered by Winston salem state university. This program expands on your nursing degree and allows you to complete 36 to 39 credits toward a FPNP certification.
This course is offered online and is designed for working nurses. Its focus on demonstrating mastery of knowledge helps ensure students are able to apply their learning to real-world situations, and that what they learn is directly relevant to their career goals.
Many nurses work odd hours and cannot attend a traditional classroom setting. A post-master’s nursing education certificate offers the flexibility needed to fit studies into busy schedules. This can be especially helpful for those who wish to further their nursing career as an educator or in a leadership role.
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
There are several post-baccalaureate/graduate certificate programs in nursing education available to nurses and other nursing professionals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree but want to expand their knowledge and skill set. They’re often less expensive than traditional bachelor’s or master’s degrees and offer a quick way to earn the credential you need to advance your career.
For instance, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is a 12-credit program that’s designed for RNs with a bachelor’s or master’s degree and can be completed completely online. Students complete two courses—Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education and Curriculum Development—in the fall semester, followed by a teaching practicum that can be customized to meet their specific learning needs.
This specialized certificate program can also be combined with a full-time master of science in nursing (MSN) to give you an affordable option to transition into a nurse educator position after your BSN. This is an ideal opportunity for those who need to balance work and family.
BSN to DNP
The BSN to DNP degree program at Winston Salem State University offers a nurse practitioner track designed for those who are interested in providing specialized care to a diverse patient population. Throughout the 82 credits in this degree program, students study both traditional classroom and online studies.
This is a great option for nurses who want to expand their knowledge base and take the latest research into evidence-based practice. The program also includes an experiential learning component, where you can conduct a scholarly project in a clinical setting.
This BSN to DNP pathway prepares you for advanced roles in adult-gerontology primary care or anesthesia. The credit requirements vary based on your chosen track, but the coursework is delivered mainly online. Upon completion, you will be eligible to take the certification exam in your chosen specialty.
