Nurses implement this process in a variety of roles and settings, in collaboration with consumers and other health professionals. Nursing education prepares students to practice within the established professional guidelines and standards and to engage in the continuous development and revision of knowledge. Baccalaureate nursing education builds upon a liberal arts and science foundation and provides the basis for the practice of professional nursing as a generalist. Baccalaureate education prepares students to think critically and to make clinical judgments which promote, restore, and maintain health. The nurse generalist is prepared for beginning level professional practice in a variety of settings.
Baccalaureate education provides the foundation for master's study.
Graduate education includes masters and doctoral study. Master's nursing education builds upon the baccalaureate nursing foundation and prepares nurses for specialization in advanced practice roles in a variety of settings. Master's education prepares advanced practice nurses to synthesize knowledge regarding health care systems and theoretical, scientific, and clinical knowledge from nursing and other disciplines for application to practice. Master's education provides the foundation for doctoral study.