I want my MSN, but...

rumwynnieRN · Sep 12, 2014

Yes, you need Masters for Staff Development. For consultant, I hire myself out to hospitals and schools to do projects such as Pain Management, Baby-Friendly Initiatives, Home Care intake, Securing clinical sites, etc. You definitely need your Masters to these roles.

For some of these roles, does it matter what I get my master's in? I guess it would depend on facility to facility.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 12, 2014

I would like to suggest obtaining a Master of Science Degree as a Clinical Nurse Leader.

I have, personally, loved this program. The specific program that I am in provides for a curriculum which can easily articulate into an NP/CNS/DNP program because it separates each of the 3 P’s (Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advance Pharmacology) as required in APRN programs.

But don’t take my word on the viability of an MSN/CNL; please read for yourself.

Lateral integration of care : facilitate, coordinate, and oversee thecare provided by the health care team.

Interdisciplinary care planning: communicate and collaborate withother members of the health care team.

Physician liaison: collaborate with physicians regarding the patient’splan of care by taking an active role in patient rounds.

Resource person: educate staff through mentoring, coaching andclinical conferences.

System analyst: manage and coordinate care at the multidisciplinarylevel.

Evidence-based practice (EBP): raise questions to challengeexisting practices in an effort to promote EBP.

(http://content2.learntoday.info/shu/NU_611/media/Week_05/the%20CNL%20a%20catalyst%20for%20improving%20quality%20and%20safety.pdf)

The CNL role is not restricted to the hospital setting. It is expected that the CNL will function across all settings in which healthcare is delivered, not just in the acute care setting. CNLs can function in community health centers, mental health treatment facilities, long-term care facilities, and other settings in which lateral integration will improve patient outcomes. (Opportunities for improving patient care through lateral integration: the clinical nurse leader. )

AACN about the CNL role: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/CNLFactSheet.pdf

weblink to CNL programs; American Association of Colleges of Nursing | CNL Programs

One more thing! http://www.cnlassociation.org

rumwynnieRN · Sep 13, 2014

I would like to suggest obtaining a Master of Science Degree as a Clinical Nurse Leader.
I have, personally, loved this program. The specific program that I am in provides for a curriculum which can easily articulate into an NP/CNS/DNP program because it separates each of the 3 P’s (Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advance Pharmacology) as required in APRN programs.
But don’t take my word on the viability of an MSN/CNL; please read for yourself.
Lateral integration of care : facilitate, coordinate, and oversee thecare provided by the health care team.
Interdisciplinary care planning: communicate and collaborate withother members of the health care team.
Physician liaison: collaborate with physicians regarding the patient’splan of care by taking an active role in patient rounds.
Resource person: educate staff through mentoring, coaching andclinical conferences.
System analyst: manage and coordinate care at the multidisciplinarylevel.
Evidence-based practice (EBP): raise questions to challengeexisting practices in an effort to promote EBP.
(http://content2.learntoday.info/shu/NU_611/media/Week_05/the%20CNL%20a%20catalyst%20for%20improving%20quality%20and%20safety.pdf)

The CNL role is not restricted to the hospital setting. It is expected that the CNL will function across all settings in which healthcare is delivered, not just in the acute care setting. CNLs can function in community health centers, mental health treatment facilities, long-term care facilities, and other settings in which lateral integration will improve patient outcomes. (Opportunities for improving patient care through lateral integration: the clinical nurse leader. )

AACN about the CNL role: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/CNLFactSheet.pdf

weblink to CNL programs; American Association of Colleges of Nursing | CNL Programs

One more thing! http://www.cnlassociation.org

They had the CNL at the university near my in-laws (which is where I live at the moment), but at the moment, they've stopped admissions.

I'm happy with the responses I've gotten! Thanks everyone:)

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 13, 2014

I have a MSN Education and work as a bedside nurse. I precept new employees, work with capstone students and work extensively with our shared governance structure. I also do research.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 13, 2014

I was also going to suggest a Clinical Nurse Leader program. I think there needs to be a little tweaking of the job expectations of the graduates of those programs ... but the education they receive seems a great foundation for a lot of possible jobs.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 13, 2014

I was also going to suggest a Clinical Nurse Leader program. I think there needs to be a little tweaking of the job expectations of the graduates of those programs ... but the education they receive seems a great foundation for a lot of possible jobs.

There seems to be a vast difference of opinion as to how the role should be implemented in real practice.

I apologize for hijacking this thread with my CNL question; however, I am very curious to hear your suggestions for tweaking the job expectations of the graduates of the CNL programs.

chiandre · Sep 14, 2014

For some of these roles, does it matter what I get my master's in? I guess it would depend on facility to facility.

Nope! MSN is a powerful tool because it is a higher degree in the Nursing profession so the opportunities are endless. It does not matter what specialty you get it in. Other Masters will limit the roles available to you in Nursing.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 14, 2014

There seems to be a vast difference of opinion as to how the role should be implemented in real practice.
I apologize for hijacking this thread with my CNL question; however, I am very curious to hear your suggestions for tweaking the job expectations of the graduates of the CNL programs.

I think the main thing is that people need to stop confusing an "academic degree" with a "job role." Those are 2 different things -- just like an ADN or BSN, etc. is not the same as working as a "nurse." There are lots of different types of jobs that a person with an entry-level degree can get. They are not all the same.

The typical coursework for a CNL is general enough -- and includes lots of valuable content -- that would be applicable in the fulfillment of lots of different job functions and specific positions that an employer might have available. The educational program should acknowledge that and recognize that their graduates may find lots of different good job opportunities -- and the programs should tweak their flexibility to allow for that reality.

With an academic education foundation of a good CNL program... a nurse can augment that education with some Continuing Education and be very well suited to fulfill a Quality Management/Performance role ... or a Staff Development job ... or a Program Coordinator role ... or an Infection Control Specialist ... etc. Employers hire people with MSN's for those types of roles and yet, the academics designing today's academic programs don't have much of anything to offer for people who want those types of jobs. My hospital often can't find people qualified to fill those types of open positions, which are necessary to run the hospital's programs, lead improvement projects, etc. Applicants tend to be NP's, which do not have suitable educational backgrounds for these roles.

I think the CNL programs could easily be used as a foundation for such roles -- but a lot of the people involved in those programs (both faculty and students) seem to think that the only "proper" job for a CNL grad is a job titled "CNL" that fits the exact job description the school teaches. A little more flexibility would help the employers find people to fill those jobs (many of which are quite attractive) and help the graduates find good jobs.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 15, 2014

I think the main thing is that people need to stop confusing an "academic degree" with a "job role." Those are 2 different things -- just like an ADN or BSN, etc. is not the same as working as a "nurse." There are lots of different types of jobs that a person with an entry-level degree can get. They are not all the same.
The typical coursework for a CNL is general enough -- and includes lots of valuable content -- that would be applicable in the fulfillment of lots of different job functions and specific positions that an employer might have available. The educational program should acknowledge that and recognize that their graduates may find lots of different good job opportunities -- and the programs should tweak their flexibility to allow for that reality.
With an academic education foundation of a good CNL program... a nurse can augment that education with some Continuing Education and be very well suited to fulfill a Quality Management/Performance role ... or a Staff Development job ... or a Program Coordinator role ... or an Infection Control Specialist ... etc. Employers hire people with MSN's for those types of roles and yet, the academics designing today's academic programs don't have much of anything to offer for people who want those types of jobs. My hospital often can find people qualified to fill those types of open positions, which are necessary to run the hospital's programs, lead improvement projects, etc.
I think the CNL programs could easily be used as a foundation for such roles -- but a lot of the people involved in those programs (both faculty and students) seem to think that the only "proper" job for a CNL grad is a job titled "CNL" that fits the exact job description the school teaches. A little more flexibility would help the employers find people to fill those jobs (many of which are quite attractive) and help the graduates find good jobs.

I've been learning more and more about the CNL role. It Does seem to be fairly generic as implemented versus how it's marketed.

I see many CNL programs have Advance Practice Nurse level "Advance Physical Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology" classes as part of the curriculum. In my particular program, we are just a handful of units away from an FNP degree upon graduation, should we choose to go that route and continue on for an FNP certificate.

I really wonder if the 3 P's have been recently added into the CNL programs, -----NOT------ to produce Advance Practice Nurses, but more in order to reinforce that "bedside nurse's nurse" aspect that was originally intended. This is to say, instead of being behind a desk somewhere away from the patients.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 15, 2014

.....and for all I know, perhaps the 3 P's have always been part of the curriculum.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2014

I was also going to suggest CNL. I am finishing up a CNL program now. I had started a FNP program but realized that I wasn't ready to leave the bedside and I wanted something that also included education in its focus. CNL answers both of these desires of mine.

The degree is still fairly new, so I am sure that it will be tweaked some as time goes by.

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2014

I am also not interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner! If I did, it would be in psych, but I do not want that level of responsibility. Nor do I wish to become an administrator. I am going for my MSN in Nursing Education. I love to teach, and I love nursing!