Professional and employment characteristics of NPs with master's and non-master's preparation

Health care providers, educators and administrators are continuing to investigate the influence that educational level has on employment of nurse practitioners and professional role determinations. This article presents findings from a study conducted by the authors that addressed the types of employment positions and work settings, characteristics of clinical practice and professional activities of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) with and without master's degrees in nursing. The findings represent the responses from a survey of 112 graduates of a combined certificate-master's PNP program at a major Midwestern university. These findings resulted in the following information: clinical practice, work-related activities and professional activities were similar for PNP-employed graduates regardless of educational level; master's prepared graduates were less likely to be employed in primary care settings or work as PNPs, but nonetheless had greater employment opportunities as well as salary advantages in certain employment settings; and non-master's-prepared graduates were more likely to be employed in primary health care delivery and live in rural locations. These findings are useful to non-master's-prepared NPs in reaffirming their current professional roles and to master's-prepared NPs in assessing their career choices. Both master's and non-master's-prepared PNPs demonstrated educational mobility and a high level of involvement in professional, community and other service activities.