Choosing an MSN track

[sdlrn]

Hi! I am researching, researching, researching online MSN programs! It's making me nuts! But one of my main concerns is choosing a track. I truly don't know what I want to be "when I grow up". :) (Administration, management, education, advanced practice, etc, etc)

Some have said it's better to choose a leadership/administrative track and that way you can also be an educator if you desire. (Since most schools simply require an MSN to teach, not specifically an MSN in education). Others have said its better to choose education as your track because a hospital will recognize an MSN regardless, so you can pursue management or administrative career opportunities. But if the degree isn't an MSN in Education, some colleges/universities wont accept you as an instructor.

Also, would either of these tracks be helpful in eventually pursuing an NP? or are they completely different types of programs because they are clinical vs. non-clinical MSNs?

Would love some guidance and advice! Thanks!

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

There were several in my FNP class who also got their education "certificates". I actually started out doing it also as it only added 2-3 classes. Thing is I don't think you actually got certified unless you did some clinical hours in the role (forgive me if I'm wrong fellow nurses).

I think becoming NP is the most time consuming vs. education or leadership and management tracks. So if you went an NP track I don't think it would take as long to go back for a post masters in education or the leadership and management stuff (again forgive me if I'm wrong. All I know is the nurse educators and CNL's who started when I did are already finished I believe).

SO if I thought I really might enjoy an NP role I'd go ahead and do that and possibly tack on education or leadership with it if I knew I'd want those roles eventually. All the while I'd be getting more RN experience to apply to these new roles once graduated.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

Oh and several classes for each of the tracks overlap. I'd suggest finding a school that offered all of these and comparing the curriculums to see just how much difference.

Or, as I mentioned before, see if they have postings for post masters certifications in them (from what I've seen they often can't give a set post masters schedule because it's dependent on your individual transcript)