Can you go into research nursing with a family care masters degree?

[Lindsey-Student]

I am looking to get my masters degree, but in Maryland you can't become a NP with a Nursing Masters, you need to get a masters degree of nursing in a specific type of practice in order to get your license (ex. Psychiatry, geriatrics, oncology, family). I would love to work in the field as a nurse practitioner first and get experience, then move to research later, possibly getting my PHD in nursing. Is it possible to make a career move like that? All the rules about licensing are very confusing.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I don't really understand your question. Of course you must choose a clinical specialty in order to be certified as an NP in that area.... and then after working in that field, of course you can go back for a PhD. Why wouldn't you be able to? Maybe I am misunderstanding you.

[elkpark]

In any US state, in order to get licensed as an NP, you have to complete an MSN (or, more recently, DNP) with a specific concentration in whatever kind of NP (family, adult, gero, peds) you want to be. The degree has to have specifically prepared you to be an NP -- not just any MSN will do.

Working clinically as an NP and then returning to school for a PhD at some point in the future is a perfectly reasonable career path, and one that lots of people have followed.

Best wishes!