International study programs: Nursing
Nursing is a popular postgraduate degree among international study programs for students enrolling in a U.S. school.
If you’ve decided to pursue an advanced nursing degree, here’s what to expect from a nursing program, the demand for this field of study, and the types of jobs a nursing degree offers.
About nursing programs
If you currently have a bachelor’s degree and are exploring advanced nursing for international students, a popular postgraduate path toward a clinically based advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) program is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Coursework under an MSN program varies by school but generally focuses on advanced competency in the nursing and medical field, and the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of your chosen concentration or specialty. Studying toward an MSN can also position you as an expert in a particular specialty, like nursing administration, public health, or health care quality and patient safety.
If studying toward an MSN full time, it can take up to 24 months to complete the program. During this time, you’ll gain advanced knowledge about patient care and safety, unit efficiency, how to effectively service various communities and work within clinical teams.
In addition to completing required courses, like health informatics and health policy, you’re generally required to complete practicum hours at an approved worksite as part of your program.
After completing the program requirements, you must take a licensure test to work as a clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner.
Other graduate-level options are a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Ph.D. program. DNP is an alternate APRN route that emphasizes integrating research into clinical practice at a systems level. A Ph.D. in nursing is ideal for nurses who want to step back from direct bedside care and focus on a more research-based education. A nursing Ph.D. lets you discover and explore new nursing processes and ideologies on a deeper level.
Demand for nursing degrees
As more of the world’s population ages, the need for skilled healthcare professionals, like nurses with advanced degrees, becomes more critical. However, Data USA reports that 262,974 nursing degrees were conferred in 2022, a 1.38% decline from the previous year.
The 2023 State of Nursing Report by Nurse.org also reveals that 79% of nursing survey respondents say their units are understaffed. Ninety-one percent say the staffing shortage is getting worse.
The U.S. Bureaus of Labor Statistics says demand for advanced practice registered nursing roles will grow 38% from 2022 to 2032. It projects approximately 29,200 job openings each year to replace workers exiting the workforce.
If you need career services support after earning your graduate degree in nursing, MPOWER Financing’s Path2Success Program can help. MPOWER-funded international students have support starting with the visa application process and beyond school with internship and job search assistance, resume builder tools and a dedicated job directory for F-1 eligible STEM work opportunities.
5 jobs you can explore with a nursing degree
An advanced practice registered nursing degree can unlock lucrative career paths for international students. Below are a few jobs to consider, based on your selected specialty, and their average salary in the U.S. according to Glassdoor.
1. Nurse anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists, also known as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), are responsible for preventing patients from feeling pain during medical treatment through the use of anesthesia. They develop and record a treatment plan, establish dosages, administer treatment and manage anesthesia levels that are appropriate and effective, based on the patient’s medical history and needs.
CRNAs are among the highest-earning specialists in the nursing field. Glassdoor data says the national median salary for CRNAs is US$372,000 per year.
2. Nurse educator
Nurse educators leverage their clinical backgrounds to teach new nurses advanced clinical curriculums. To stay informed on the latest developments in the nursing sector, nurse educators regularly perform research, keep abreast of practice environment challenges, and regularly sharpen pedagogical methods.
The median salary for nurse educators, based on Glassdoor data, is US$111,000 per year with the highest-paid nurse educators earning US$143,000.
3. Nursing informaticists
Nursing informatics is a subspecialty that combines science, technology and communication in one career. As a nursing informaticist, your work blends your clinical nursing knowledge within patient care and information science. You’re responsible for developing data and communication systems related to patient care in a way that’s efficient and cost-effective for the organization.
Nursing informaticists can expect to earn a medical pay of US$146,000, annually. Professionals paid at the high-end of the salary range for this job earn as much as US$189,000.
4. Nurse midwife
Certified nurse midwives support the reproductive and childbirth needs of women. They provide patient care across all reproductive stages, including performing preventative health screenings and tests, offering prenatal and postpartum care, and providing gynecological care using natural techniques and methods.
Nurse midwives earn an annual median salary of US$130,000 per year, with top-range earners making US$161,000.
5. Nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner performs some of the basic responsibilities of a physician, like carrying out physician exams, requesting and analyzing diagnostic tests or imaging orders, diagnosing and treating certain health conditions, writing prescriptions, and documenting patients’ symptoms and care plans.
A nurse practitioner earns a median pay of US$151,000 annually with the highest-earning professionals earning US$181,000 per year.
Final thoughts: Earning a graduate nursing degree in the U.S.
Entering a graduate nursing program can be a challenging and rewarding area of study. There are plenty of specialties to pursue that offer competitive salaries after completing your program and securing the appropriate practice licenses.
However, before you can reap the advantages of an advanced practice nursing career, you’ll need to have enough funds to pay for your graduate program. When scholarship and grant funding isn’t enough, an MPOWER Financing international student loan could help you bridge the financial gap.
