MSN-Education

[carolelainern, BSN, RN]

I am an RN currently working on an orthopedic floor-we also take plenty of medical overflow. I graduated with my BSN 10 months ago and have been at my current job for 7 months. I knew going in that this isn't my "dream job", but I was and am very grateful for it. However, I've started to think a lot about my next career move.

I don't feel ready for a BSN to DNP program-I do enjoy working as an RN and would like to spend some time as an RN in an emergency room before considering becoming a nurse practitioner. However, I am strongly considering WGU's MSN-education option.

Basically, what I would like to get out of this degree is, at the very least, a way to enhance my knowledge and practice of nursing; plus the option to teach. I think this degree could open some doors, even if I don't necessarily spend a lot of time working in a nurse educator role.

I welcome any and all feedback from current students/graduates of this program-do my expectations seem reasonable? Would you recommend this program to someone who's not exactly sure yet what she wants to be? Or does it seem like I would be wasting my time and money?

I appreciate your input!

Carol

[llg, PhD, RN]

Are you going to paying for this education yourself? Will you be going into debt for it? Or do you have someone paying it all for you? (e.g. a generous employer)

I seriously question the wisdom of paying a lot of money for a degree you don't really want to use for much. If you just want to learn stuff, you can do that for free -- or very cheaply. There are continuing education courses, books, journal articles, and life experiences that you can use to learn and that won't cost nearly as much money. Unless you really interested in becoming an educator, I recommend holding off on school for at least another year or two ... and/or you are fairly sure about what direction you want to take with your career. Use the time to explore some of your other learning options -- continue learning, maybe get certified once you get enough experience to do so -- but save the money for grad school until you know which pathway will be right for you.

For someone who truly wants to be an educator, getting an MSN in Nursing Education is a good idea. There are jobs at schools of nursing -- and there are expected to be more in the future as many of the current faculty is over 50. They will retire eventually. There are also lots of opportunities in Nursing Professional Development (staff education and continuing education). A lot of nursing education happens outside the schools of nursing. There are attractive job opportunities in that field -- just as there are learning opportunities there for you now.