New Mexico desperately needs master's-prepared nurse educators. The state currently has the least Registered Nurses per capita of any state, yet consistently turns away about 20 percent of qualified applicants to nursing school due to a lack of nurse faculty. More MSN-prepared nurses are needed to teach LPN, RN and BSN students, both in the classroom and in clinical settings.
The state also needs more master's-level advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists. A full 36 percent of New Mexico's residents live in official healthcare provider shortage areas, which means that many residents lack regular, easy access to a qualified health professional. Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives are particularly needed in the border region of New Mexico.
New master's-prepared nurses will find themselves in good company in New Mexico. Although the state needs more MSN nurses, it actually has a fairly high percentage of MSN-prepared nurses. Eight percent of New Mexico's RNs have a master's degree, putting the state on par with the national average. Many of the nurses, no doubt, pursue advanced practice because advanced practice nurses in New Mexico are able to practice nursing autonomously. Physician collaboration or supervision is not required to practice or prescribe medication.
Professional organizations for New Mexico's MSN nurses include New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthetists, New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council, New Mexico Nurses Association and New Mexico Organization of Nurse Executives.
MSN programs for New Mexico nurses include:
- New Mexico State University. New Mexico State offers a unique "Roadrunner MSN" for career changers who already have a bachelor's and master's degree in a field other than nursing. Qualified students can complete the program in two-and-a-half years. The school also offers an MSN degree in nursing administration.
- University of New Mexico. The University of New Mexico offers graduate-level training for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse educators and nurse administrators. It also offers dual degree MSN programs, including a dual master's in nursing and public health or public administration. Prospective students who lack a nursing degree can take graduate level classes (except clinical courses) while pursuing their nursing license.
