Exploring the benefits of master’s level education for patient care, nursing practice and career development
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Exploring the benefits of master’s level education for patient care, nursing practice and career development

Jacqueline Harley Undergraduate programme manager, Higher Education Department, Government of Jersey Health and Community Services, Harvey Besterman Education Centre, St Helier, Jersey

Why you should read this article:
  • To understand the main characteristics of master’s degree programmes and the expectations of master’s students

  • To learn about the benefits of a master’s degree for patient outcomes

  • To consider the relationship between critical thinking and critical reflection

Undertaking a master’s degree has become an integral part of nurses’ continuing professional development. However, there can be uncertainty among nurses about the requirements and expectations of this level of education, and about the benefits for patients and nurses. This article describes the main characteristics of master’s degree programmes and the expectations of master’s students. It also explores the literature on the benefits of a master’s degree in relation to patient outcomes, nurses’ clinical competence and professional autonomy and nurses’ career development. The author considers the concepts of, and relationship between, critical thinking and critical reflection and how nurses’ ability to apply these concepts in practice can be enhanced through undertaking master’s level education.

Nursing Management. doi: 10.7748/nm.2023.e2106

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

@harleyjacq

Correspondence

j.harley@health.gov.je

Conflict of interest

None declared

Harley J (2023) Exploring the benefits of master’s level education for patient care, nursing practice and career development. Nursing Management. doi: 10.7748/nm.2023.e2106

Published online: 16 November 2023

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