Hailey Tran
While there are many non-bedside nursing careers that provide opportunities to apply clinical expertise in new ways, hospitals do hire bedside nurses with master's degrees. In fact, some hospitals require nursing managers to have master's degrees, and many nurses with master's degrees are encouraged to pursue doctorates. However, it is important to note that some hospitals may hire nurses with the understanding that they will obtain a higher degree within a certain time frame. Additionally, some non-bedside nursing jobs that may be of interest to those with master's degrees include nurse administrators, nurse educators, and nurse researchers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hospitals with Magnet status | Require 80% of nursing staff to have a BSN |
| Hospitals without Magnet status | May not require an advanced degree |
| Hospitals with Magnet status | Require a certain percentage of management to have advanced degrees |
| Hospitals without Magnet status | May hire candidates with significant related experience who are actively pursuing an advanced degree |
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What You'll Learn
- Hospitals with Magnet status require 80% of nursing staff to have a BSN
- Case management, informatics, and administration are non-bedside roles
- Infection control nurses prevent the spread of infections
- Nurse recruiters work for recruitment companies and hospitals
- A master's degree is preferred for nurse administrator roles
Hospitals with Magnet status require 80% of nursing staff to have a BSN
Hospitals with Magnet status are recognised for their excellence in nursing practice and patient care. This status is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as part of its Magnet Recognition Program. To achieve Magnet status, hospitals must meet several criteria, including having a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) with at least a master's degree, actively participating in data collection and decision-making in patient treatment, and employing nurses with managerial roles who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
The ANCC suggests hospitals aim to have 80% of their nursing staff comprised of BSN-prepared nurses. This initiative is driven by the goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. Research has shown that increasing the proportion of BSN-prepared nurses to 80% leads to lower readmission rates and shorter hospital stays, resulting in significant cost savings.
Hospitals seeking Magnet status value the well-rounded education that BSN-prepared nurses possess, including leadership, research, and critical-thinking skills. These nurses are equipped to step into leadership roles and deliver high-quality care, which aligns with the standards expected of Magnet hospitals. BSN-prepared nurses also have a strong educational foundation that emphasises collaboration and evidence-based practice, contributing to the collaborative culture that Magnet hospitals strive for.
To meet the 80% BSN threshold, hospitals may hire BSN-prepared nurses exclusively or give current registered nursing staff a limited timeframe to obtain a BSN. Some hospitals may offer incentives for RNs to pursue BSN degrees, such as tuition reimbursement or covering tuition costs.
Overall, the pursuit of Magnet status by hospitals and the associated focus on BSN-prepared nurses reflect a commitment to nursing excellence and enhancing patient care. This trend has implications for RNs, creating opportunities for career advancement and enhanced job satisfaction within Magnet hospitals.
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Case management, informatics, and administration are non-bedside roles
Case Management
Case management is a non-bedside nursing role that involves caring for patients receiving long-term treatment. Case managers coordinate with agencies and facilities to ensure patients receive the necessary treatment and act as liasons between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. To become a case management nurse, one must first become a registered nurse (RN) by obtaining an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Then, one can either obtain a master's degree in case management or gain two years of experience as a full-time RN and 2,000 hours in case management. Employers may also require a few years of patient bedside care experience in addition to certification. Case managers with master's degrees can advance to become case management administrators and lead case management departments.
Informatics
Nursing informatics specialists integrate nursing science with data management to improve patient care and streamline clinical workflow. They act as a bridge between the clinical staff and the IT department, training staff on new technology, developing and optimizing electronic health record (EHR) systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Informatics specialists require an active RN license with a BSN, clinical experience, and strong technical and analytical skills. While a master's degree in nursing informatics is not always required, it is preferred by most employers. Informatics nurses can also pursue certifications such as informatics nursing certification (NI-BC) to advance their careers.
Administration
Nurse administrators oversee the operations of the nursing department within healthcare systems. They are responsible for hiring and firing staff, managing budgets, creating policies, and collaborating with physicians, executives, and other departments to ensure high-quality patient care and regulatory compliance. A BSN is typically the minimum requirement for this role, but a master's degree in nursing (MSN) or healthcare administration (MHA) is preferred. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are also essential for nurse administrators. Certifications such as Nurse Executive (NE-BC) or Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) can also enhance one's qualifications for administrative roles.
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Infection control nurses prevent the spread of infections
Hospitals do hire bedside nurses with master's degrees, and there are several non-bedside nursing careers that require a master's degree. These include:
- Nurse administrator: Oversees the operations of the nursing department, including hiring and firing staff, managing budgets, and creating policies. While a BSN is required, a master's in nursing (MSN) or healthcare administration (MHA) is preferred.
- Nurse researcher: These nurses work in academic institutions, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies. They design and implement clinical trials and studies, collect and analyze patient data, and ensure regulatory compliance. A master's degree or doctorate is usually required for this role.
- Nurse educator: These nurses work in training and education, assisting in the training of new nurses entering the industry. While a BSN is usually required, a master's degree can be beneficial.
- Informatics nurse: These nurses work on the technological side of nursing, assisting with health-related software, web education, telemonitoring, and teaching other nurses how to use medical technology. A BSN and strong computer skills are required.
Infection control nurses play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. They have a broad understanding of science and nursing, which they apply to analyzing test results, determining the cause of infections, and implementing measures to stop the spread. Infection control nurses work as part of an interprofessional group that includes clinicians, administrators, epidemiologists, and other representatives. They ensure that infection control policies are up-to-date and based on the latest evidence-based literature. This is essential to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections and protecting patients, healthcare workers, and visitors.
Infection control practices aim to minimize the dissemination of infections and reduce infection rates. These practices include standard precautions for all patient care and transmission-based precautions for patients who may be infected or colonized with certain germs. Nurses play a critical role in infection control due to their high level of patient contact and access to all areas of a healthcare facility. Their observations and recommendations regarding infection control are essential to maintaining patient safety.
Infection control measures include surveillance programs that target areas with high infection rates, such as intensive care units (ICUs). Additionally, infection control nurses provide education and training on infection prevention, ensuring that healthcare personnel are aware of the risks and know how to protect themselves and others. By adhering to infection control practices, healthcare providers can prevent the spread of infections and provide safe, high-quality patient care.
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Nurse recruiters work for recruitment companies and hospitals
Registered nurses (RNs) with a master's degree can pursue various career paths, including bedside nursing and non-bedside nursing roles. While some hospitals may hire RNs with a master's degree for bedside roles, there are also alternative career paths for RNs seeking non-bedside opportunities.
Nurse recruiters, for example, are a specific type of healthcare recruiter responsible for finding and hiring qualified nursing candidates for various institutions, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, or doctor's offices. They work with healthcare facilities to understand their specific needs and then identify and recruit suitable nursing candidates. Nurse recruiters may work for recruitment agencies, hospitals, or contract nursing companies, and some even choose to operate as freelancers.
The job duties of a nurse recruiter can vary depending on their employer. For instance, a nurse recruiter working for a hospital may focus solely on hiring nurses for that specific hospital. In contrast, a recruiter working for an agency may work with multiple healthcare facilities across a region or even the country. Regardless of their employer, all nurse recruiters share the overarching goal of matching nurses with the healthcare organizations that need them.
To become a nurse recruiter, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in nursing or a related field. While some employers may provide on-the-job training, having a background in a relevant industry, such as nursing, can be highly advantageous. RNs with strong connections and a broad network of medical professional contacts can excel in this role, as they can leverage their relationships to find the best candidates for each clinical position.
In addition to hospitals, there are other potential employers for RNs with master's degrees seeking non-bedside roles. For example, nurse educators are in high demand due to the nursing shortage, and they play a crucial role in training new nurses entering the industry. Other non-bedside nursing jobs include informatics nursing, correctional nursing, occupational nursing, public health nursing, and infection control nursing. These roles allow RNs to apply their clinical expertise in new ways while developing additional skills outside of traditional bedside nursing.
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A master's degree is preferred for nurse administrator roles
While a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a minimum requirement for many nursing administration roles, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) is often preferred.
Nurse administrators, sometimes called nurse executives, are responsible for the operations of the nursing department within healthcare systems. They manage tasks such as hiring and firing staff, creating and managing budgets, and creating policies to ensure high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and efficient clinical operations.
A master's degree in nursing administration can open doors to a variety of career paths, including in physician offices, schools, and even the legal and government sectors. Some of the most popular job titles for nurses with a master's degree in nursing administration, management, or leadership include:
- Chief nursing officer (CNO) or chief nursing executive (CNE): These nurses typically occupy the highest level of nursing management within a healthcare organization. They help guide both the nursing and business aspects of hospital systems, planning, directing, and organizing overall nursing and patient care operations.
- Director of Nursing: Directors of Nursing are responsible for administrative tasks such as hiring and training nursing staff, creating work schedules, and managing department budgets. They also act as a resource within the healthcare community, advising medical staff and administrators on nursing policies and procedures.
- Head Nurse: Head nurses manage teams of nurses and are responsible for upholding standards of patient care through an ethical and healthcare accreditation lens. While some positions require a BSN, many prefer an MSN degree.
- Nursing Manager: Nursing managers may also act as educators, providing instruction to both experienced and entry-level professionals. While most positions require a BSN, having an MSN degree can make it easier to land a position in areas with saturated nursing job markets.
In addition to expanding career opportunities, a master's degree in nursing administration can also lead to higher salaries. According to the BLS, the average salary for medical and health services managers, including roles in nursing leadership and administration, was $137,730 per hour. The job outlook is positive, with employment opportunities in this field projected to grow by 29% from 2023 to 2033.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hospitals do hire RNs with master's degrees for bedside roles. However, it's worth noting that there are also many non-bedside nursing roles that hire RNs with master's degrees.
There are various non-bedside nursing roles that value or require a master's degree. These include nurse administrator, nurse educator, nurse researcher, and nurse informaticist.
A master's degree can open up opportunities for career advancement and specialization within the nursing field. It may also lead to higher earning potential and increased job satisfaction by allowing RNs to transition to less physically demanding and more flexible roles.
While various master's programs can be beneficial for RNs, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is often highlighted as a valuable option. This degree can provide advanced knowledge and skills specific to the nursing profession, preparing RNs for leadership and management positions within healthcare systems.
