MSN Degree major? Does it matter which one you pick?

elkpark · Mar 11, 2005

I had two NPs in my CRNA class, you can do it, you just have to endure the entire CRNA program.

Well, yes, maybe I wasn't clear enough. If you want to change clinical specialties, you can always go back to school for an additional degree or post-Master's certificate. What I meant was that you can't just decide to switch specialties one day -- e.g., I (a psych CS) can't just decide I'd like to try giving anesthesia and get a job as a CRNA, the way a staff nurse can decide s/he is tired of med-surg nursing and would like to try psych, or tired of ICU and would like to try home health, etc.

In many geographical areas, a CNS job does not require Master's Degree that had a CNS role track. It is often possible to practice as a CNS with a master's in the clinical specialty that has an educational and/or leadership focus. Some CNS's even are NP's.

This also is true, and would depend on whether the employer requires nat'l. CS certification and whether an individual's educational preparation and experience qualifies him or her to sit for the certification exam. "Clinical nurse specialist" is not a protected title and anyone can call him/herself a CNS, and some employers are willing to hire most anyone to do most anything ... There are different routes to the national certification, and I have worked with some excellent CSs who did not graduate from a CNS track Master's in that particular specialty, but met the requirements to sit the exam through a different path of education and experience.

crowned_one · Mar 11, 2005

An MN degree is more focused on the leadership aspects of the advanced practice role. That said I will also say an MN is less focused than an MSN /NP degree as the nurse is offered the chance to explore themselves, nursing and their own interests instead of a particular direction such as family health.
I cut the next section from the website of the school I attended.
"The program focus is on leadership in practice, research and education. The core curriculum includes nursing research, analysis of health systems, health policy, health disparities, ethics and aesthetics. Students pursue scholarly inquiry by completing a project. The curriculum has a strong emphasis on mentoring with faculty and in fieldwork placements. Students are admitted each fall within a cohort model and in the second year direct their own fieldwork with populations of interest with emphasis on professional development and leadership training."
My fieldwork allowed me to explore oncology nurse grief through an association and investigation with hospice, looking into labrinyths for grief therapy and a trip to London. In London, I and 8 other MN students delved into our areas of interest. In my case I went to King's College Hospital and spent several days with their pallative care team ( a much different concept in England) as well as a day at the Princess Alice Hospice. We also met Nurse Researchers and professors from several Universities for in depth discussions concerning their research, our research and an introduction to the education system for nurses in the UK, as well as several lectures that provided concepts to broaden our minds and thoughts on the English health system.
While an MN degree may be culminated in a thesis or project - this doesn't limit one. I went through a "project" program, but did an original research study which included the process of going through the IRB Human Subjects Division.
One of the best aspects of this degree I attained where the class discussions - such a wealth of knowledge and a free flowing passage of ideas - it was very stimulating and intellectually fascinating - and it is the part I miss most having now finished.
I think if I were to compare an MSN and an MN degree one of the huge differences is this- the MN degree is much more abstract - the MSN concrete, so it depends how you like to think and what you want to do with your education.
I was turned off to the idea of an NP degree as I wondered what would happen if I didn't like the focus I decided on. Or what if I got bored in a couple years? Kinda stuck. With my MN I have many directions to head, CNS, Nurse Educator, Staff Development, Nursing Professor, Research, Management - it is pretty broad and only limited by your own desires.

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]Nesher, thank you so much for explaining the MN degree. I had the same questions as LadyT618 had. I'm beginning an accelerated BSN program this summer and my intention was to go straight to graduate school and get an FNP degree. I am considering the FNP because it seems like it would provide the most flexibility while providing a great foundation for an advanced practice nurse career. However, I was also concerned about becoming a FNP and later realizing that it did not provide the flexibility and foundation I was seeking.

MN sounds appealing because I can "customize" the education/training that I'm seeking and still be an NP, but I'm concerned about obtaining a FNP/MSN degree and finding out that I still don't have the training I was looking for or that will allow me work in a way that I can fulfill the passion I have for healthcare. Right now, I've decided to get my BSN, work as an RN for awhile and then choose my MSN speciality after I have a better grasp of the advanced practice nursing field.

Hopefully, I will be done with school, for awhile at least, in 2008. If anyone can offer suggestions on other advanced practice training/education options that are available ...I would greatly appreciate it!