Need information on MSN critical care programs

[rhp123]

Hi, everyone

I almost done with all pre-reqs for the nursing school. Right now I'm still exploring different fields of nursing. A friend suggested me looking at nursing informatics. However, I feel I'm much more interested in working in ICU. It makes me excited thinking doing something so challenging and totally new from what I've been trained and done for so many years.

One good school close by offers direct-entry MSN programs, in all specialites except critical care or CRNA. I'm not sure, does not all MSN critical care programs require some RN work experience for admission?

Also, I'm interested to know what is the job market for MSN in critical care graduates? What is the average pay? Do they usually work in hospital ICU?

Since I know a lot of BSN and ADNs work in ICU, so is MSN in Critical care really needed by the market?

Thanks for any information or answer.

[LoraLou]

I have my bsn working in an icu, i had thought going through that I would go straight through to get my msn, but I think so much of nursing is learned through actual bedside care, i cannot imagine what i would have done if I had gone straight through.

MSN in critical care just depends, no its not needed for bedside nursing, staff nurse, but many hospitals have nurse practitioners that work in the units and function at a higher level, just depends on what you're interested in.

Lora