The student who attains a graduate degree in nursing becomes a specialized practice expert who demonstrates expanded accountability and responsibility for the care of patients, populations, and systems. In addition to the direct practice role, the graduate also demonstrates expertise in the following competencies:
- Scientific underpinnings for practice,
- Organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking,
- Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice,
- Information systems/technology for the improvement and transformation of health care,
- Health care policy for advocacy in health care,
- Interpersonal collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes,
- Prevention of disease and promotion of population health, and
- Advancing nursing practice
