J Adv Nurs. 2019;00:1–10. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jan | 1 © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd 1 | INTRODUCTION The International Council of Nurses (2017) recommended a master's degree as an entry level for a nurse practitioner – advanced practice nurse (APN). This recommendation acknowledges the significance of postgraduate education at master's level as a catalyst to the pro‐ fessionalization of nursing (Gerrish, Ashworth, & McManus, 2002). However, the role of master's level education to support the profes‐ sionalization of nursing is still unclear (Clark, Casey, & Morris, 2015; Massimi et al., 2017; Watkins, 2011). Received: 27 November 2018 | Revised: 15 February 2019 | Accepted: 26 February 2019 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14044 ORIGINAL RESEARCH: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH – QUALITATIVE The technology implications of master’s level education in the professionalization of nursing: A narrative inquiry Ken H. M. Ho PhD, MSc (Clinical Gerontology), RN, Assistant Professor 1 | Susan K. Y. Chow PhD, Master in Primary Health Care, RN, Associate Professor 1 | Vico C. L. Chiang PhD (Newcastle), MHA (NSW), RN (H.K., Australia), Associate Professor 2 | Julia S. W. Wong EdD (Higher Education), MN, RN, Senior Lecturer 1 | Meyrick C. M. Chow PhD, RN, Acting Dean and Professor 1 1 School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, Hong Kong 2 School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Correspondence Ken H. M. Ho, School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Email: hhm312@yahoo.com.hk; kenho@twc. edu.hk Funding information This project received US$ 3846.00 funding from the School Research Grant of the Tung Wah College. Abstract Aims: (a) To explore the meanings of master's education in the professionalization of nursing; and (b) to describe the core attributes that nurses gained through master's study. Design: Narrative inquiry. Methods: From June 2017 to June 2018, unstructured interviews were conducted with 12 master‐prepared nurses at advanced nursing position with minimum 5 years of postregistration experience. Collaborative thematic narrative analysis was con‐ ducted on verbatim transcripts. Members checking, peer validation and audience validation assured verisimilitude and utility. Results: There was a need to fit one's own assertion for professional growth in nurs‐ ing career structure. Master's study equipped nurses with specialty skills and knowl‐ edge with enhanced reflexivity, which nurtured morality, problem‐solving ability and capacity to collaborate inter‐professionally. Master‐prepared nurses demonstrated effective clinical leadership through acting as change agents. Conclusions: Master's level education and master‐prepared nurses are instrumental to the professionalization of nursing by expanding the roles of nurses. Nursing career mentoring will maximize nurses’ agency in healthcare system. Developing innovative inter‐professional pedagogy will nurture the reflexivity of master‐prepared nurses. KEYWORDS advanced nursing practices, masters education, narrative inquiry, professionalization