It’s Effect on the Future of Health Evidence proves that the growth in advanced nursing practice contributes to the improved access to general care (Aiken et al., 2009 as cited by Cronenwett, 2011). A growing body of research documents that hospitals with a larger proportion of bedside nurses with BSNs or higher qualifications are associated with significantly lower risks of patient mortality. This has motivated many hospitals and public health agencies to require applying nurses to have a BSN degree; especially teaching hospitals (Cronenwett, 2011). It is then, just as much expected that nurses who achieve a MSN degree have an even lower risk of patient mortality, while working as a bedside nurse. It is highly recommended that all associate level nurse continue on their education all the way to a master level and even doctorate. …show more content…
A master or doctorate degree in nursing opens many doors and opportunities. A registered nurse with a MSN or DNP degree can go on to be a nurse manager, case manager, certified nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse educator or professor and so much more. The new role and scope of practice that a graduate level nurse takes on can expand far beyond the reach of associate level nurses. For example, in addition to the general functions performed by an advanced practice nurse, a nurse as a family nurse practitioner an provide: preconception and prenatal care, well-woman and illness care, well-child and illness care, episodic care for acute illness across the lifespan, management of chronic conditions, monitoring and co-management of primary care conditions, and case management for long-term illness or condition (Vanderbilt, 2016). That is just one specialty of advanced practice nurses. There are many other responsibilities for different levels and specialties with a master or doctorate level