Advice needed on further education from here

morphed · Jun 11, 2010

I would just Google this stuff first and then ask a question if you're still confused...

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 11, 2010

I have but I just keep coming up with online courses touting their wares. I want to hear from other nurses who have had this experience and can explain concisely their interpretation.

happyheatherp · Jun 12, 2010

I have been a nurse for 18 years, and I have my BSN, and will be starting my MSN this fall. I am pursuing my MSN because I teach as well as work clinically, and I need my MSN, or be working on it, to teach the nursing program I work at. My MSN is about 19 mo. long, and is all online. It really depends on which direction you want to take with your education. Start with a school that offers the things you are thinking about, then see which program fits you best. Any NP program will require a lot of time set aside for school, and little work on the side. The BSN will allow you any clinical position you want, but if you desire administration/management you would prob. want your MSN. The NP program includes the MSN core classes, then the core curriculum for the NP and all the clinical hours as well. You just really need to look at a school that offers those programs and see what seems to fit you best! Best of luck! :nurse:

morphed · Jun 12, 2010

I am pursuing my MSN because I teach as well as work clinically, and I need my MSN, or be working on it, to teach the nursing program I work at. My MSN is about 19 mo. long, and is all online.

Which online program are you taking? I was thinking of doing the same thing but I thought employers wouldn't really like an all online program? How does your institution view it? Obviously it seems they don't mind since it sounds like they are accepting this method of working on your MSN while allowing you to teach, but did you have to talk them into it or were they just willing to accept whatever program you chose? I would LOVE to be able to do an all online MSN program. Oh, and how much is the cost? And this is a Masters in nursing education, right? Where I am I believe you can have an MSN in a variety of things, it doesn't necessarily have to be in nursing education, in order to teach in the nursing program.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 12, 2010

I have been a nurse for 18 years, and I have my BSN, and will be starting my MSN this fall. I am pursuing my MSN because I teach as well as work clinically, and I need my MSN, or be working on it, to teach the nursing program I work at. My MSN is about 19 mo. long, and is all online. It really depends on which direction you want to take with your education. Start with a school that offers the things you are thinking about, then see which program fits you best. Any NP program will require a lot of time set aside for school, and little work on the side. The BSN will allow you any clinical position you want, but if you desire administration/management you would prob. want your MSN. The NP program includes the MSN core classes, then the core curriculum for the NP and all the clinical hours as well. You just really need to look at a school that offers those programs and see what seems to fit you best! Best of luck!

Thank you so much for your reply. You say you already have your BSN, so 19 months is what it takes to get your MSN when you already have your BSN? How long do you think it migh take to go straight from RN to MSN? Can I even do that? If one has an MSN does that make the path shorter to NP? I'm trying to decide which path to take. I don't really see myself as an educator but I would love to go the management route, or even be a practitioner in gynecology. I am assuming then that NP is not something you can do part time while working?

happyheatherp · Jun 12, 2010

Which online program are you taking? I was thinking of doing the same thing but I thought employers wouldn't really like an all online program? How does your institution view it? Obviously it seems they don't mind since it sounds like they are accepting this method of working on your MSN while allowing you to teach, but did you have to talk them into it or were they just willing to accept whatever program you chose? I would LOVE to be able to do an all online MSN program. Oh, and how much is the cost? And this is a Masters in nursing education, right? Where I am I believe you can have an MSN in a variety of things, it doesn't necessarily have to be in nursing education, in order to teach in the nursing program.

The MSN Nurse Educator track is online, but I still have 384 hours of required teaching practicum to complete in an education setting. I chose the Nurse Educator path because I was going to teach. You can teach with other Master's degrees, but I wanted to take the classes that would help me teach more effectively, and my classes are geared to that exactly. This is 19 mo. for PT study, I could have done it in 14-16 mo. FT status, but I work FT and could not do both FT. I am going to OU (University of Oklahoma) and it has excellent graduate programs. It doesn't matter if it is in class or online, the curriculum is the same. I live too far away to go to the campus for class, and would not be able to work FT as well. It just fits me better. My director at the college is a graduate of OU with her MSN, and almost a NP as well. She went on and completed her PhD, and I am looking forward to doing the same. The cost is in the range of $10,000 total I believe, which is much better than my BSN from a private university that cost me $22,000 for 18 mo. Hope this helps!!!

happyheatherp · Jun 12, 2010

Thank you so much for your reply. You say you already have your BSN, so 19 months is what it takes to get your MSN when you already have your BSN? How long do you think it migh take to go straight from RN to MSN? Can I even do that? If one has an MSN does that make the path shorter to NP? I'm trying to decide which path to take. I don't really see myself as an educator but I would love to go the management route, or even be a practitioner in gynecology. I am assuming then that NP is not something you can do part time while working?

Yes, once you have your BSN, for me to go PT it is another 19 mo. or so. They have an RN to BSN that is 9 mo. FT study, so maybe 16-18 mo. PT study. Part of the MSN curriculum is the core classes that every Master's degree has to take, then you branch off into classes in your specialty. So, in theory, if you have your MSN already, it shouldn't take as long, but you have to make sure those classes are equivelent and will transfer to go on for your NP. You have to really want to teach to go into teaching, because the pay just isn't there. You can't do it for the money that's for sure. They have a Master's in Administration/Management as well, that may fit you better. The NP program is very intense, with a lot of clinical hours to complete. It is all worth it if it is really what you want to do. When it gets tough, and you aren't sure you can finish, it is that drive to do it that will get you through it, knowing you want it so bad. With that said, think of what you really want, and go for it!!! :nurse:

happy2learn · Jun 12, 2010

MSN from RN seems to take about 3 years, full time. At least, that's what I've seen at my local university.

I know the university by me does offer the NP programs online, of course you still have to attend like 500 hours of clinicals.