I am literally itching to start a master's program, or other advanced degree. I'm a total nerd and love school (case in point, I am currently updating my undergraduate statistics course that I took in college about 10 years ago, not because it is a requirement for any of the programs I am thinking of applying to, but just because I want to update my knowledge.) My problem is that I am having a hard time deciding what type of program best suits my goals. I thought I would poll the wonderful minds of the School Nurse forum (and anyone else who wants to chime in!)
Here are my goals: I love school nursing and want to stay in this specialty. I have also always wanted to teach future Nurses. Ideally, I would like to work as a school nurse full time and teach on the side, either some online lecture classes, or evening/summer clinicals. There are tons of nursing schools in my area and many of them offer evening/weekend options, so I feel pretty certain I could work something schedule wise. Eventually I'd like to obtain my PhD and teach Nursing School full time. I feel like I could teach fundamentals, Pediatric, and/or Community Health Nursing with my background.
Here are my options:
1) All online MSN in nursing education. Pros: very cost effective and easy on my schedule! I can get a post-master's CNS later if I want. Con: no immediate applicability to School Nursing.
2) All online CNS is Pediatrics followed by a post-mater's certificate in Nursing Education. Pros: Immediately applicable to School Nursing and the NS that I long to work for someday really likes it's faculty to have a CNS. Con: Slightly more expenside than the MSN in education, but very reasonably priced. Have to find my own preceptor with little help/guidance from the school, and it must be a practicing CNS to precept.
3) Brick and Mortar CNS is Pediatrics. Pros: Less expensive than the online CNS, they offer some courses online or up to 50% online with the classes only meeting on campus once a week. Cons: scheduling around my job might be an issue. The school is about an hour and a half from my home, and maybe 45 minutes from my work, more with traffic.
4) BSN to PhD program (Brick and Mortar) Pros: cuts right to the chase and has the flexibility to tailor the program to my specific interests. Cons: most expensive option, although relatively reasonable cost, and eliminates the possibility of teaching with my master's and getting the school to assist with tuition reimbursement for the PhD. Scheduling might also be an issue, since most classes are on site. The school is about an hour from my home, about 30 minutes from work (more with traffic)
I initially thought about FNP/PNP programs but eliminated them due to the fact that I do not want to practice outside of the school setting, and NPs are not used in the schools in my area (other than school based clinics, which is basically primary care which I do not want). I also eliminated an MPH, which I thought would give me a broader public health education, but there were scheduling issues with my job and I wondered how much it would really apply to School Nursing. There are some programs specific to School Nursing, but I ruled those out because of my goal to teach Nursing School at some point: this specialty is not specificially taught but is generally lumped in with either Community Health or Pediatrics.
Sorry this is so long, I am just really ready to start getting my applications in and get this process started! I am taking the GRE this summer, and hope to make a final decision on which direction to take within the next few months. If anyone took the time to read all this and comment, HUGE thanks!
thanks for the tuition info. Jersey Schools are not offering be the same type deal - even on line. If only i lived in texas.... can i move in with you for about 3 semesters?
I'm back onto WGU - still for nursing ed. Now to take the plunge!
Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.
Indiana State University does an LPN-BSN course completely online...now that I actually have the information I need, I'm wondering if this is really something I want to do right now...I have a wonderful job that I love, and my schedule is great, but I have a 16 month old daughter and I'm not sure I want to add going to school on top of everything else we have going...but at some point I'm just going to have to do it and not worry about it....
Flare, ASN, BSN
4,431 Posts
thanks for the tuition info. Jersey Schools are not offering be the same type deal - even on line. If only i lived in texas.... can i move in with you for about 3 semesters?
I'm back onto WGU - still for nursing ed. Now to take the plunge!