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There are three main masters degrees in Advanced Practical Nurse (APN) programs: the NP (Nurse Practitioner), the CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and the CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife).

NP Nursing Degree Programs

Nurse practitioners specialize in particular areas of health care such as family or women's health, pediatrics, acute care, or elderly care. They are trained to diagnose and treat illnesses and can prescribe medications. The NP gives physicals, educates patients, and administers injections when needed.

The most important part of an nurse practitioner's job is preventative and wellness education—helping patients to remain well and avoid visits to the doctor. Many NP nurses conduct research and serve on patient advocacy panels. Nurse practitioner students may earn master's degrees or doctoral degrees.

Nurse practitioners can expect to earn annual salaries between $76,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on experience and education.

CNS Nursing Degree Programs

Clinical Nurse Specialists specialize in particular areas of health care such as cardiac nursing, obstetrics and neonatal nursing, gynecology, oncology, or mental health nursing (among many others). The CNS works in a specialized clinic or hospital department and is expert in that area of medicine.

Many clinical nurse specialists go on to become teachers, researchers, consultants, or managers. These rewarding career advancements allow them to work with patients and further the knowledge-base in the nursing field. The CNS nursing degree gives graduates access to high level credentialing and certification opportunities.

Clinical nursing specialists can expect to earn annual salaries between $75,000 and $88,000 per year, depending on experience and education.

CNM Nursing Degree Programs

A Certified Nurse Midwife deals with uncomplicated pregnancies and can deliver babies when there are no major difficulties. Most midwives work with hospital-based obstetrics departments or particular doctors. The CNM also provides post-natal care for mother and baby, including education about nutrition, breastfeeding, and the first years of a child's life.

Midwifery is a highly rewarding nursing career with great responsibility. The duties of a certified nurse midwife center around pregnancy and babies, but because midwives develop deep personal relationships with patients they may become primary caregivers throughout a woman's life. The CNM field is growing as more women demand personalized obstetric care.

Certified Nurse Midwives can expect to earn annual salaries between $82,000 and $96,000 per year, depending on experience and education.

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It's time to get your masters degree in nursing. Use the GraduateSchools.com nursing school finder to request free enrollment and scholarship information!