Reference no: EM133924185

1. As a nurse, I am astounded by the changes occurring in the present healthcare system. In order to match supply and demand in today's society, nursing practice is continually evolving. A master 's-prepared nurse's practice differs significantly from a baccalaureate-prepared nurse's in various areas. As nurses, we must be able to provide patients with educated answers and solid justifications for the therapy that we are providing. Patients frequently know the answers to their concerns but want to know that the individuals caring for them are competent. It can be difficult for nurses uncomfortable with evidence-based practice, whether because they do not know where to look for it or do not comprehend it.

Master's-prepared nurses have typically acquired advanced clinical skills and knowledge through their study and training (Giardino & Hickey, 2020). They can provide a higher level of clinical care, often specializing in a particular field, such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse midwife (AACN, 2011). A bachelor's degree normally takes four years, while a master's-prepared nurse requires two to three years of additional schooling. Many master's-prepared nurses work in education and mentorship, training the next generation and contributing to the profession's progress. They can also participate in healthcare policy creation and advocacy campaigns (AACN, 2011).

2. For the past three decades, there has been a significant amount of dispute about whether there is value in obtaining a master's degree in nursing (Clark, Casey, and Morris, 2015). With the continuous changes in healthcare and the complexity of patient care, nurses are forced to expand on their practice knowledge and become stronger critical thinkers who can ensure quality care and patient safety and prepare to take on the numerous challenges of the healthcare field (Johansen, 2023). However, according to Johansen (2023), nurses with master's degrees are prepared to lead and are trained to improve healthcare by guiding, directing, and driving healthcare advances.Pursuing a master's degree in nursing is considerably valuable in the ever-changing healthcare system. As a healthcare provider, it is essential to exhibit quality skills in critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills. A master's degree prepares nurses with these qualities and helps them advance in their future postgraduate degree, such as a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner (DNP), if they choose to do so. According to Clark et al. (2015), evidence suggests practical leadership skills are more likely to be seen in postgraduate nurses. Additionally, the value of a master's degree in nursing gives the person more autonomy, responsibility, and confidence.