The misconception people have is that you have to get your master’s degree in the same course you studied at the undergraduate level, but it isn’t necessarily the case.

A degree in nursing does not mean that your master’s degree has to be in nursing.

Nursing connects with areas such as public health, research, technology, education, management, policy, and health promotion. There are several fields you can explore at the postgraduate level, depending on the specific program you choose, the requirements of the university, where you intend to study, and how you plan to use the qualification after graduation.

However, before deciding to pursue a master’s in a different field, it is important to first ask yourself: Why do you want to do a master’s degree? Where do you want to study? Where do you intend to use the qualification? And what do you want to use it for?

These questions matter because the best postgraduate choice is not necessarily the program you can gain admission into. It is the one that aligns with your long-term academic and career goals and is useful within the country or professional setting where you intend to build your career.

For example, a nursing graduate may be eligible for programs such as public health, epidemiology, health education, health management, or health policy. Exploring a master’s degree in one of these areas does not necessarily mean leaving nursing behind. Rather, you are taking the knowledge you already have as a nurse and using it in a different area of healthcare.

An MPH, for example, can take you beyond bedside care and open up opportunities in research, government agencies, NGOs, public health organizations, and higher education.

However, the usefulness and acceptance of a postgraduate qualification can vary depending on where you intend to use it. For a Nigerian nurse who plans to lecture or build an academic career in Nigeria, for example, it is important to understand the requirements of the institutions and regulatory bodies involved. In some cases, having a master’s degree specifically related to nursing may be important for certain academic positions.

The situation may be different in another country, where the requirements for academic appointments or professional roles may allow for a broader range of postgraduate qualifications. This is why you should not choose a master’s program simply because it is available or because someone else with a nursing background studied it.

Before applying, find out what the qualification will allow you to do in the country where you intend to use it.

This is especially important if you already have plans to pursue a PhD.

Your master’s degree should ideally provide a strong foundation for your doctoral studies. A PhD is expected to contribute new knowledge, and in many cases, doctoral research builds on, extends, or deepens the knowledge and skills developed during your master’s studies.

For instance, if you want to conduct research on disease patterns and population health, an MSc in Public Health or Epidemiology could provide a useful foundation for a future PhD in a related area. The doctoral research can then extend that foundation by addressing a more specific research problem and contributing new knowledge to the field.

This is why choosing a master’s simply because you were accepted into the program may not be the best approach.

Before applying, think about where you want your career to go.

Your answers to these questions can help you choose a program that actually aligns with your interests and moves you closer to your goals.

Your plans may change along the way, and that is completely fine. You may discover a new interest after working for a few years, and that’s perfectly fine too. The point is to have some direction before committing your time and money to a program.

If you want to become a clinical nurse specialist, for example, a nursing specialization may be the better choice. If you are interested in population health and research, public health or epidemiology might be a better fit. Someone interested in healthcare leadership may consider health management or health policy.

Nursing also gives you an advantage because of how broad the profession is. Nurses do more than bedside care for patients. Nurses are involved in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, patient education, research, leadership, and community health. This gives nurses knowledge and experience that can be valuable in several other areas of healthcare beyond traditional nursing roles.

A nurse who moves into public health can use clinical experience to understand health-related problems at the community and population level. This may suit nurses interested in community health, while epidemiology may be a better fit for those drawn to research.

A nurse who moves into epidemiology can use a clinical background while learning how to study disease patterns and health outcomes.

Health education can support a career in teaching.

A nurse who studies health management can combine experience in patient care with knowledge of how healthcare organizations are run.

Health management or policy can lead towards healthcare leadership.

Health informatics is another option for nurses interested in technology and healthcare data. Other options include Digital Health, Health Policy, and Global Health.

The key is to choose a field that connects with your nursing background, your career goals, the country where you intend to use the qualification, and the opportunities you hope to pursue.

Nursing is versatile, so an interdisciplinary master’s can add a new area of expertise without leaving your nursing foundation behind. However, versatility should not be mistaken for choosing just any postgraduate program.

So, considering a master’s outside your undergraduate discipline does not mean starting from zero or giving up nursing. You are taking what you already know and adding a new area of expertise to it.

The important thing is to choose a program that makes sense for where you want your career to go, where you want to use the qualification, and what you want to achieve with it.

Your master’s should not just be another qualification after your name.

It should be a step towards the person and professional you want to become.

Not sure which postgraduate path is right for you?

Choosing a master’s degree is a decision that deserves more than a quick application. If you need guidance on your postgraduate options, career direction, application process, or next steps, the Nursiscope Mentorship Academy is designed to help you make informed decisions and prepare for your postgraduate journey.

Learn More About the Nursiscope Mentorship Academy: https://bit.ly/career_mentorship

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adesugba Omolade is a Registered Nurse and Midwife trained at the Nigerian Army College of Nursing, Yaba, Lagos. Her interests span nursing, midwifery, research, leadership, and global public health. She is passionate about research and data analysis and their role in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-limited settings. She hopes to advance into academia and global health leadership, combining research, teaching, and practice to contribute to improved health outcomes in Nigeria and beyond.