MSN-Ed to DNP?

Specialties Educators

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, EMR, Nurse Educator.

I'm currently in a MSN-Ed program but still in core classes so no education specialty ones yet. I stared panicking a little this week wondering if I'm in the right track. I want to teach at one of our local universities so started looking at DNP options. Most of the ones I looked at specified either MSN-NP or administration or such speciality, they didn't mention education. Has anyone had experience with their MSN-Ed not being acceptable for application to DNP? I'm trying to decide if I should switch to Leadership/Admin and then pursue DNP-Ed or a post-masters certificate. Thoughts? Or should I just chill out and complete the track I'm in and not worry about it?

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

If you are wanting to teach, I would stick with your MSN-Ed program. DNP programs are essentially being offered in two flavors these days: Leadership and advanced practice. A MSN with an education focus should allow you to attend a Leadership track. Some programs offer Educational Leadership, which would tie nicely with your MSN-Ed. Of course, a PhD in nursing program is also an option.

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Hi, I am kind of in the same situation. I am enrolled in a Leadership track for my MSN (haven't started yet), but just had the director of the nursing program at a local university advise me to either do the education track or enroll in some additional nursing education classes if I had a desire to teach. Leadership/management is my passion, and I do want to work in that field, but I also would like to teach night classes, or online classes on the side, as well as, teach full time a few years down the road when my husband retires. I have a MBA, so I somewhat feel like I have the management part covered, and might should focus on the education track. However, I am interested in obtaining a DNP, for which I see little option for an education track, and many DNP programs want the MSN to be either a NP track, or leadership track. What to do, what to do?!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Here are the three DNP programs I looked at with my MSN in Education:

Touro Nevada (my eventual choice)

University of Southern Indiana

Chatham University (Pittsburgh)

There are more and more education-focused programs all the time.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Those in leadership track who want to teach also have the option of a postmasters certificate, which basically earns a second MSN in education. It is a quick and economical way to increase your employability.

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