In nursing, advanced education equals job security
There are no guarantees in any vocation, but there is data to support that those with more education can experience greater earning power over the course of a career. In addition, employers are always looking for qualified candidates who stand above other applicants. When people pursue advanced degrees, they may have a level of competency that places them ahead of other job seekers. In the field of nursing, professionals need to be uniquely skilled in order to deal with the complexities of medicine. This is why advanced education may be so vital for the individual who wants to get a coveted job and keep that position for a long period of time.
Advanced techniques and training
The nurse who has an advanced degree may be able to provide a more developed set of skills to the job environment. Medicine is a field that is constantly changing, which means that nurses are often required to keep current on the latest procedures. An advanced degree may not guarantee that the nurse will always have up-to-date material, but it may provide him with a greater awareness of the overall field. This may lead to a greater sense of how to seek out information and stay ahead of those who might compete for the job at hand.
Degree and experience
As nurses gain more experience in the field, the degrees that they possess may be a way to ensure that they maintain their current employment status. Again, some of the techniques that the person learned in her academic program may start to be outdated. However, the possession of an advanced degree may provide a level of security against new applicants that come in with advanced degrees of their own. People who can combine both education and job experience may have a solid resume that will maintain their employment status and their overall job security.
Management and supervision
When people get advanced degrees, they may study various aspects of leadership and management. In many cases experience will lead to supervisory positions, but a person with an advanced degree may be a prime candidate for promotion within his organization. As individuals move up in the organizational hierarchy, they may find a bit more security, particularly if layoffs and job cuts are done at the lower levels. Therefore, an advanced degree can lead to a management track that is perhaps more stable than that of a front-line worker.
Research applications
Medicine provides professionals with a wide array of opportunities when it comes to data collection and research. While not all nursing jobs are research-based, an advanced degree may provide certain competencies that can be used for study, research methodology, job flow, and workplace improvements. A person with an advanced degree still has to act and use her skills, but a research focus may be one way to make the individual more indispensable.
No promises
As mentioned, an advanced degree in nursing will not guarantee that individuals will be safe in their job forever. Professional nurses still need to perform their jobs well, and if an organization needs to make serious payroll cuts, there may be people of all different qualifications that do not keep their positions. Still, an advanced degree is a worthy pursuit and can provide the nurse with a greater depth in their professional portfolio.
