The best reason to earn a Master of Science in Nursing is to gain advanced knowledge you can use to elevate your nursing career. At the top nursing schools, you can take a wide selection of courses designed to help you become a nurse practitioner. And one of the most important courses is advanced pathophysiology.
What Is Pathophysiology?
Pathophysiology combines pathology (the study of the causes and effects of disease) with physiology (the study of how systems of the body function). In other words, pathophysiology studies how diseases affect the systems of the body, causing functional changes that can lead to health consequences.
What Do You Study in an Advanced Pathophysiology Course?
In most advanced pathophysiology courses, students focus on understanding the biophysiological processes, the deviations from these processes, and the scientific concepts related to the biology of disease processes. MSN nursing students in an advanced pathophysiology course typically learn how normal organ systems function and how organ systems are interrelated to help the body maintain homeostasis. Additionally, students explore such topics as immunity, inflammation, cancer genetics, and cardiovascular disease. They also examine a range of disease processes, including hematologic, renal, neurologic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive disorders.
Why Do MSN Students Study Pathophysiology?
With a strong knowledge of pathophysiological disease processes, you can develop appropriate treatment plans for patients across their life span. It’s an important component for your knowledge base and your ability to deliver quality care.
What’s the Best Way to Earn an MSN Degree?
If you want to study pathophysiology and the many other advanced subjects included in the best MSN programs, you first need to find a program that works for you. For many nurses, that program is at Walden University. In fact, Walden produces more nurses with advanced degrees than any other university.1
Why do so many nurses choose Walden for their MSN? For one, Walden’s master’s in nursing program is available through an online learning format. That’s a major advantage because it allows you to take your MSN degree courses from home. Plus, Walden’s online MSN program lets you choose when in the day you attend class, giving you the power to arrange your coursework around your shifts rather than having to worry about changing your shifts to accommodate your coursework.
If you don’t already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Walden can help you there as well. The university offers an RN to MSN online path that allows nurses to earn their master’s degree in nursing without having to hold a BSN degree first. If you already have a BSN degree, you can follow Walden’s BSN to MSN path. But no matter which path you choose, you’ll have your pick of Walden’s numerous MSN specialization options, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics, Public Health Nursing, and Nursing Education.
A Master of Science in Nursing can help you acquire the advanced knowledge you need to take your career to the next level. And thanks to Walden’s master’s in nursing online program, earning your MSN degree is more doable than ever before.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
1Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database. Retrieved July 2017, using CIP codes 51.3801 (Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse); 51.3808 (Nursing Science); 51.3818 (Nursing Practice). Includes 2016 preliminary data.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.