Msn degree info help !!!

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So I am finishing my ADN and want to do the ADN to MSN program, but I am a little confused as to what a MSN really is... Is that degree considered a Nurse practitioner? I have looked it up and see Anesthetists and Midwives... so what exactly does the MSN entail? Im a little confused!

Thanks for the help! You guys ROCK!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You need to first ask yourself, "What do I want to do with the MSN degree?" The point of the MSN degree is specialization. When you enroll in an MSN program, you will need to select a specialty area or concentration.

The non-clinical MSN specialty areas include leadership, education, holistic nursing, nursing informatics, infection control, and forensic nursing, to name a few. Not all schools offer all MSN specialties, but you will probably find the leadership and education options at most schools.

The clinical MSN specialty areas include nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist. If you complete a clinical MSN program with a family nurse practitioner specialty, you will be eligible to become a family nurse practitioner after passing boards. However, if you complete a non-clinical MSN program with an informatics specialty, you will be eligible to apply for nurse informaticist jobs.

Do you see where I am going? Earning the MSN degree enables you to specialize. You cannot just earn any old MSN degree and be a nurse practitioner. You must select that as your specialty prior to applying to the MSN program.

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

Just out of curiosity, what is your goal in attaining your MSN? An MSN is a degree, not a license. As such, multiple tracks will be available. Some examples of MSN programs are:

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Midwife

Nurse Anesthetist

Nursing Education

Nursing Informatics

Nursing Research

Forensic Nursing

School Nursing

Nursing Leadership

Understanding what your goal is in attaining a graduate degree can help you chooses a program.

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I am really leaning more towards Nursing Leadership, I want to be able to oversee nursing homes. That is my passion. Which is my original purpose of wanting to obtain my MSN.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I am really leaning more towards Nursing Leadership, I want to be able to oversee nursing homes. That is my passion. Which is my original purpose of wanting to obtain my MSN.
To be clear, you want to be a director of nursing services or a nurse manager at a nursing home? If so, the MSN degree with a specialization in nursing leadership would be a good option.

For enhanced marketability, there are dual MSN/MBA programs that allow aspiring nurse leaders to earn two master's degrees at once.

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