CNS, educator, public health. the difference?

[calljs15, ADN]

Hey everyone, I've got several questions regarding different masters programs

What's the difference between a Clinical Nurse Specialist, or someone who has a masters in education? Is the education emphasis the same as public health or are those two different things?

I love education, I love teaching, I love learning. I'm a new grad with my ADN in December 2011. Would you recommend I get some experience in acute care before thinking about a MSN in these areas? I'll be working as a RN (likely med/surg), but since those advanced degrees don't put you at the bedside do they? So why not just go for my masters in education/public health while I'm working as a RN? Do I have to specialize in one area or education? What sort of jobs would these advanced degrees lead into?

I've been questioning where I want to be in my future career and nothing sparks my interest as much as being able to teach people new things. I would love anything you can tell me!

[roma4204, BSN, RN]

How will you teach someone to do something better that you haven't done yourself?

[calljs15, ADN]

How will you teach someone to do something better that you haven't done yourself?

I hear ya; I'm just starting to research these careers so I'm not sure if it's typical to get years of experience first, or have people done it without experience? What about public health? Like I say, any info would be great :)

[czyja, MSN, RN]

The clinical nurse specialist is an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) who has a completed a masters program that includes courses advanced assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology and is licensed as an APRN in her/his state. CNSs have a wide scope of practice, but it is usually characterized by working with systems (eg a unit or service line CNS) and/or providing direct care (eg. psych CNS).

All nurses teach in one way or another - teaching patients is a core responsibility of nurses that cannot be delegated. Nurses that teach other nurses in a hospital setting are nurse educators. They are not necessarily and do not usually need to be APRNs, although many have masters degrees in nursing or education. Nurses that teach in a university or college setting are faculty.

Public health nurses usually have a BSN at minimum. Some RNs working in PH get a MPH, others elect for an MSN. PHNs work in very diverse settings, from providing direct care to vulnerable patients to planning for diasters and pandemics.

Have you googled these terms to see what comes up? These roles are quite complex with considerable overlap. I think you will find many here reticent to go into too much detail.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

You might want to consider a CNL (Clinical Nurse Leader) program. This is a masters-prepared bedside nurse who also would function as a unit leader/educator. It's considered an Advanced Generalist, rather than an advanced practice RN- that's the program I had first considered.