by NICU-RN

I am an RN,BSN seriously considering getting an MSN\MPH in another year or so. I would like to know what types of courses are involved with obtaining the degree? What projects you had to perform? How long it took to get your degree? Where and what you did for clinicals?? Did you write many papers? Did you consider the courses difficult? How things have changed since you obtained your MSN\MPH job\income wise? Any other important information would be great! Thanks.

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

The types of courses (and what the requirements of those courses will be) will depend on the particular academic program. You'll have to ask the school for that information as you do your research on particular programs. Most Master's Degree programs have a combination of requirements that include tests, papers, clinicals, etc. -- and whether they are "hard" or "easy" depends both on the particular school and your particular abilities.

Personally -- I went to a very rigorous undergraduate program and felt that my Master's Program was easy in comparison. However, I have had friends who had the exact opposite experience.

As far as income goes ... again, that depends on your particular situation. You might see a drop in pay if you are now working as a staff nurse earning big differentials for night shifts, weekends, precepting, etc. and/or are able to work overtime hours. If you take a salaried job at the Master's level, you might get a higher base pay rate, but get a smaller paycheck because you don't get overtime, differentials, etc.

However, if you are fairly low on the staff nurse payscale and don't get a lot of differntials added to your pay, you would probably see and increase. A lot would depend on what type of job you get. What type of job would you be seeking? What types of employers would you be looking to work for?

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

Thanks for replying. Have a blessed week.

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

I'm so glad you asked this question! I'm wanting to pursue a MSN/MPH also and would love to hear from nurses who have gone this route.

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

Originally Posted by llg

The types of courses (and what the requirements of those courses will be) will depend on the particular academic program. You'll have to ask the school for that information as you do your research on particular programs. Most Master's Degree programs have a combination of requirements that include tests, papers, clinicals, etc. -- and whether they are "hard" or "easy" depends both on the particular school and your particular abilities.

Personally -- I went to a very rigorous undergraduate program and felt that my Master's Program was easy in comparison. However, I have had friends who had the exact opposite experience.

As far as income goes ... again, that depends on your particular situation. You might see a drop in pay if you are now working as a staff nurse earning big differentials for night shifts, weekends, precepting, etc. and/or are able to work overtime hours. If you take a salaried job at the Master's level, you might get a higher base pay rate, but get a smaller paycheck because you don't get overtime, differentials, etc.

However, if you are fairly low on the staff nurse payscale and don't get a lot of differntials added to your pay, you would probably see and increase. A lot would depend on what type of job you get. What type of job would you be seeking? What types of employers would you be looking to work for?

LLG-

Could you share your specific experience re: the MSN/MPH (if you don't mind). I know you stated our experience will vary depending on several factors but what has been your experience with this area of nursing? I haven't met alot of nurses with this background and would love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

Thanks for asking this question...I am also looking to pursue these two degrees. For anyone that has earned these degrees what type of employment opportunities were availabe when you graduated and where do you currently work?? What is a day like for you???

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

I haven't earned a master's degree yet, but I have been accepted to the MPH program at the University of Pittsburgh (Community and Behavioral Intervention of Infectious Diseases) and I am waiting to hear from Hunter College (CUNY) regarding their dual master's degree program (MSN/MPH). I still haven't decided, but my friend, who earned her MPH in community health recommended that I earn the MPH in a speciality. She feels like she'd be more marketable if she had earned her MPH in, for example, biostatistics or epidemiology. However, at the same time, she stated, as a non-nurse, that a nurse with a graduate degree in public health is VERY marketable. My ultimate goal is to work abroad in infectious disease. Good luck to all!

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

I'm a few days away from finishing my MPH. I started off in a MSN/MPH program but dropped the MSN portion to focus more on epidemiology. I have enjoyed most of my program. Of course there were a few classes that were more challenging than others, but over all I've learned alot. Having the RN definitely helps in class when you're going over chronic or infectious diseases, etc. I probably wrote 1-2 major papers per semester. I learned alot of statistical analysis and coding in SAS. I had an internship at the state health department (social justice and health equity) for one semester. Some of my classmates have had internships at the county level doing community assessments, program planning, etc. My program ends with a MPH research project and poster presentation. My personal interest in infectious diseases, and I'll be starting my dream job at the end of the summer. Unfortunately, our health care "system" doesn't invest much money in disease prevention, so the pay may not be as great as working in a hospital. But if you're like me and tired of seeing your favorite frequent flyer patients with CHF, MI, uncontrolled HTN, etc (only after 18 months of being a nurse), I think that you can find your niche in public health.

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it. I am still researching options.

Re: What to expect by obtaining my MSN\MPH?

It is wonderful to see so many people that have the same interests as me. Right now i need guidence, so that I wont make the same mistakes I made while obtaining a biology degree I dont use. Now I am researching a new career path and came across Public Health Nursing. My sister and my best friend are both nurses and they always brag about how rewarding it is. Now I didnt choose nursing based on what they said alone, I had to do research and make sure this is something i could do for the rest of my life. So anyone who is already a Public Health Nurse should really respond to guide those of us who are pursuing the degree. Let us know what to avoid or what internships to pursue or whats out there that we should be aware of.