Objective　To explore the overall research focus and frontier of master of nursing specialist at home and abroad to provide reference for the development of master of nursing specialist in China. Methods　The numbers of literatures from 2006 to 2016 that related to master of nursing specialist are 1 595 in web of science and 249 in China National Knowledge Internet respectively. Knowledge mapping and visual analysis were carried out by CiteSpace. Results　In 2006-2016

the numbers of both domestic and foreign relevant literatures were generally on the rise. The international researchers focused on the research of nurse practitioners and primary care

while Chinese ones on curriculum

training pattern

core competencies

etc. The current international frontier was in the field of systems and team

while the Chinese one was in the field of education and training model. Conclusion　There is a certain gap between the research of master of nursing specialist at home and abroad. Our country should take our own national conditions as the basis and learn from foreign research focus and frontiers to promote the development of master of nursing specialist.