Health

Exploring high-level nursing roles

Published

2 years ago

October 27, 2023

The healthcare system is evolving and requires high-level scientific knowledge and expert practice to achieve the best patient outcomes. Advanced education in nursing is becoming more popular, with nurses wanting more influence and autonomy. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) qualification brings new career opportunities for nurses, such as becoming family nurse practitioners, midwives and educators. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) builds on the master-level programs and can lead to various career paths including health care executive, nursing faculty and clinical researcher. Studying at this level takes commitment and dedication and brings the rewards of greater job opportunities and a rewarding work role.

Considering advanced nursing courses

Both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are graduate nursing degrees but differ in course length and student career goals. In general, the MSN degree has traditionally been for nurses who are going to specialize clinically, whereas the DNP has been for nurses looking for leadership positions. However, there can be an overlap in the types of careers followed by graduates from both degrees. Nurses from both programs are prepared by their courses to work in advanced practice, and there are opportunities to work in such roles as nurse educators and nurse leaders. The DNP is the highest level of nursing degree, and students are prepared through the course for advanced practice roles related to leadership, administration and the analysis of evidence-based research.

Nurses who wish to deliver the most advanced nursing practice can progress from MSN to DNP by taking the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); the highest level degree in nursing. Walsh University offers this clinically focused program, that prepares students for leadership roles where they can influence the future of healthcare.

Both the MSN and DNP programs equip graduates with the skills used in nursing such as solving problems, triaging patients and being a leader. Both degrees offer the opportunity to explore more specialized fields of study than the broader education provided by a bachelor’s degree. The main difference between the MSN and DNP is that the DNP is the highest level of degree in nursing and it prepares nurses for the highest level of practice, particularly leadership positions. The MSN does cover some of the same curriculum as the DNP but is designed to allow nurses to qualify as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). For example, a nurse practitioner with an MSN degree may work as a critical care practitioner delivering bedside care, while a nurse practitioner with a DNP degree may deliver care while also leading a nursing team. The DNP prepares nurses for specialization while also offering additional career opportunities, such as becoming a healthcare lobbyist or clinical researcher.

The need for nurses with advanced skills

The numbers of older people have increased and this has created a greater demand for healthcare services. More people are living with chronic diseases including arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, mental health conditions and cardiovascular disease. With the physician and nursing shortage, this means that advanced practice nurses are in great demand and play a significant role in primary and acute care. They make a difference in underserved communities, improving access to healthcare and advocating for better services. These nurses can provide some of the services offered by physicians as well as nursing care. With advanced degrees, nurses can provide critical healthcare services and meet the needs of diverse populations. They can improve access to healthcare and yield significant improvement in patient outcomes. Healthcare organizations need nurses with a specialized skillset to deliver quality care to patients and ensure health services are meeting population needs.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in detail

Pursuing an MSN degree brings new career opportunities for nurses in different settings. This degree program provides specialized education that can prepare students to become an APRN. Graduates have the knowledge and skills to participate in developing healthcare policies, providing advanced patient care and serving as leaders in the nursing profession. Students can focus on a master’s degree in a non-direct healthcare role – such as management, education or health information systems – or choose a direct patient care role through an APRN pathway which may lead to becoming a nurse practitioner. All APRNs must complete the MSN degree as well as certifications for their specialty.

Nurses are taught to assess, diagnose and treat patients as well as manage their overall care. Specializations include pediatrics, adult gerontology, psychiatric mental health and family practice. The MSN program teaches skills that will be used every day in nursing, such as prescribing medication, making decisions and how to conduct a physical examination. The scope of practice can differ depending on the career pathway a student chooses to pursue. For example, a nurse midwife program teaches prescribing medication, deciding treatments, diagnosis, and caring for women and babies. A nurse practitioner program teaches direct patient care skills including prescribing medication, performing check-ups, and diagnosing and treating illnesses or injuries.

The master’s program prepares nurses to work independently, but each state determines the scope of practice, including in relation to prescribing medication and deciding treatment options. Many MSN programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and a current RN license. Programs can have different work experience requirements, but they typically expect at least one or two more years of experience. On average, the MSN program takes two to three years, including a clinical placement. Coursework covers clinical practice, management, social sciences, nursing informatics, physical science and advanced nursing theory.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in detail

The DNP is a prestigious qualification. It provides an advanced nursing practice degree and it is an alternative to research-based doctoral programs. The DNP prepares nurse leaders for the highest level of nursing to improve patient care and use research to inform practice. DNP nurses may choose to specialize in one of many different fields and can potentially hold leadership positions. They can become nurse educators and use their specialized knowledge to teach nurses in college. They can also become patient advocates and guide patients through the healthcare system, ensuring they connect with the correct resources and their needs are met. In addition to these upper-level, specialized roles, a DNP degree can prepare students for some of the same roles as the MSN, including family nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist.

The doctorate builds on the MSN curriculum to develop competent and highly qualified providers in various fields. Graduates bring high levels of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to achieving quality patient outcomes. The DNP curriculum goes beyond master-level programs by including systems leadership, quality improvement, team management and evidence-based practice. DNPs play an important role in healthcare through direct patient care, organizational leadership and health policy implementation. This degree brings opportunities for expanded responsibility, research and clinical decision-making. Nurses prepared through the DNP degree gain advanced clinical skills and systems thinking, allowing them to take responsibility for individual and population health needs. The DNP qualification allows nurses to consider many career options, whether caring for a vulnerable population, mentoring other nurses or leading change in practice.

The DNP program includes clinical experience and classroom instruction, allowing nurses to enhance their knowledge and skills, and provide high-quality practice. It can benefit nurses to gain experience as a registered nurse and complete the MSN before applying for the DNP. The DNP program can take as little as five semesters for full-time students and eight for part-time students. Nurses with DNPs are sought after by employers and have many opportunities to work overseas. They have nursing expertise and are considered influential figures in healthcare.

Opportunities for nurses with advanced skills

Nurses work closely with patients and play a significant part in advancing healthcare. Nurses are the largest group of healthcare professionals and are essential in keeping patients at the center of healthcare and providing high-quality care. The American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN’s) Position Statement recommended that all nursing leaders should have a doctoral degree. A survey on DNP graduates was conducted by the RAND Corporation in 2015, sponsored by AACN, and found that they add unique value to their organizations, and many employers feel that they can see the bigger picture and bring about change. DNP graduates were highly satisfied with their decision to obtain a DNP degree; 95% were satisfied, including 71% who were extremely satisfied.

Online degree programs can work well for full-time nurses who want to further their education. Technology advances have resulted in well-designed online degrees and effective teaching methods. Lectures are recorded so studying can take place at a convenient time. Students can interact virtually and learn from others in different roles and settings. Nurses can apply what they learn to the workplace, making learning more meaningful.

Qualifying with advanced degrees can allow nurses to pursue many career pathways. The MSN and DNP programs prepare nurses to work in advanced practice and leadership positions. The MSN allows nurses to qualify as APRNs and specialize in roles such as becoming a nurse practitioner. The DNP is the highest possible nursing degree that builds on the MSN curriculum and prepares nurses for the highest levels of practice and leadership positions. The shortage of nurses and physicians, and greater demands on healthcare, have created a need for highly qualified nurses who can improve patient outcomes, deliver care in underserved communities and make valuable contributions in leadership roles. Healthcare organizations recognize that nursing expertise is vital to future healthcare services.

Health

The Scientist as Storyteller: How Steven Quay Makes Complex Medicine Relatable

Published

1 month ago

July 23, 2025

Michelle Langton

Scientific discovery often struggles to reach the people it is meant to serve. The distance between research and public understanding can be vast. For most scientists, publishing in peer-reviewed journals is the endpoint. For Dr. Steven Quay, it is only the beginning. His career has been defined not just by what he has discovered, but by how he communicates it.

Scientific trust today faces growing skepticism and misinformation spreads faster than facts, Quay has embraced a rare role. He is both a scientist and a storyteller. His ability to bridge the technical and the human is what makes his voice resonate across disciplines, institutions, and communities.

Writing as a Lens into the Human Side of Science

One of the clearest examples of Quay’s narrative instinct lies in his writing. He has authored three major books, each rooted in a different part of his life and expertise. Together, they show how a medical researcher can also be an accessible public thinker.

In Stay Safe: A Physician’s Guide to Survive Coronavirus, published June 5, 2020, during the first days of the pandemic, Quay offered plainspoken, evidence-based guidance on protecting oneself and one’s family. It was not framed as a political statement or a policy directive. It was personal and grounded in the daily realities people faced. He wrote it not just as a scientist, but as someone who wanted to help others navigate a frightening time with clarity and calm.

His second book, The Origin of the Virus, tackled a more complex and controversial subject: the question of how SARS-CoV-2 emerged. Rather than speculate, Quay walked readers through the scientific evidence with the kind of transparency that is often lacking in public discourse. The tone was methodical, never alarmist. What set the book apart was its balance, engaging to a lay reader, yet rigorous enough to be taken seriously by professionals.

Then there is A Ride Through Northville, a deeply personal departure from the world of virology and oncology. Here, Quay revisits his childhood in Michigan, capturing the streets, friendships, and quiet moments that shaped him long before he entered a lab. The structure of the book mimics the experience of riding a bike through town, evoking memory not as a chronology, but as a sensory journey. For a scientist whose career has involved high-stakes research and global debates, this book offers a rare window into the reflective, grounded person behind the work.

Speaking Clearly Without Speaking Down

Quay’s communication skill is not limited to the written word. He has also become a frequent guest on health-focused podcasts and a speaker at public science forums. His TEDx talk on breast cancer prevention is one of the most viewed videos on the subject, and for good reason. He does not rely on drama or abstract theory. Instead, he explains mammographic density, hormonal risk, and clinical trial design in a way that makes the science both comprehensible and actionable.

In interviews, Quay has a habit of slowing things down. He avoids jargon unless he defines it. He is comfortable saying, “We don’t know yet,” which, in the realm of public science, is a kind of honesty that builds trust. He often discusses Atossa Therapeutics’ trials in plain terms, describing how experimental drugs like (Z)-endoxifen might help certain patients respond better to treatment. He emphasizes that these are ongoing studies, not marketing pitches, which sets him apart from many biotech executives.

Educating the Public Without Oversimplifying

One of the challenges of public-facing science is resisting the urge to oversimplify. Many well-intentioned scientists flatten complexity to fit the constraints of social media or mainstream news. Quay does not follow that path. He explains mechanisms and hypotheses with nuance, trusting that readers and listeners are capable of understanding more than they are often given credit for.

His social media presence reflects the same philosophy. He shares articles and research updates, but rarely with alarm or bravado. When he comments on current medical debates, he tends to lead with evidence rather than opinion. That steady tone has earned him a following that spans across ideological and professional divides.

During the pandemic, this approach stood out. While others chased headlines, Quay focused on distilling evolving guidance into practical advice. He acknowledged the limits of current knowledge, updated his views as new data emerged, and emphasized science as an iterative process. His voice became one that many people turned to not for certainty, but for clarity.

A Scientist’s Responsibility Beyond the Lab

Quay has often said that science does not exist in isolation. It is part of society. That belief informs why he writes, speaks, and engages in public discourse as actively as he does. He sees the scientist’s role not just as a producer of knowledge, but as a custodian of its meaning.

He has testified before the U.S. Congress and advised the State Department, not as a politician but as a physician-scientist committed to accuracy. In each case, his contribution has been grounded in data but shaped by a recognition of the human implications of policy and research.

This is especially evident in his work on breast cancer. By advocating for better screening tools and more personalized treatments, Quay speaks not only to clinicians and investors but to women facing real fears about their health. He explains the science behind mammographic density and hormonal modulation not just with charts, but with stories about what those risks mean in someone’s life.

Storytelling as a Form of Service

What makes Quay’s communication style compelling is that it never feels performative. He is not branding himself or building a media empire. He is doing what he believes scientists should do: make their work useful.

In every form of his storytelling, from the deeply personal to the technically specific, there is a throughline of responsibility. He understands that science touches people’s lives in ways that go far beyond the lab. For him, that means speaking clearly, writing honestly, and never underestimating the audience.