CNS vs MSN in Education for educator roles

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

Does it make sense to pursue a CNS degree with the intent of using it as an educator in the inpatient setting? I know CNSes are often involved in nursing ed in very specialized areas.

But would that degree be as marketable as the MSN in Nursing Ed?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

CNS isn't as widely utilized as educators are, at least in my part of the country. They seem also to focus more on patient education and patient needs, where an educator is more about the budding nurse or, in the case of Professional Development, the nurse in the practice setting.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm a CNS and my role (and that of my local CNS's) is that of APRN. We do not do education but rather have the scope of an NP

[elkpark]

I'm a CNS and my role (and that of my local CNS's) is that of APRN. We do not do education but rather have the scope of an NP

You and other CNSs you know may be in jobs where you don't "do" education, but that doesn't change the fact that educator is one of the core role competencies of the CNS, with staff as well as clients. OP, CNSs worked in staff educator roles for decades before the MSN in nursing education was developed.

However, I can't comment on the marketability of one degree over the other. There are pros and cons to either degree, and I'm sure the marketability of one or the other varies in different communities and areas.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think if varies greatly from location to location -- and school to school. I was just at a meeting of a local university talking about their DNP program. They pointed out that the people applying for a DNP after having gotten and MSN in Nursing Education had the most credits they needed to take because they didn't always get the "3 P's" in their MSN content on the Educator track. I've had friends have that problem. They have MSN's in Nursing Education that did not give them the advanced clinical content (pharmacology, physiology, and physical assessment) that the advanced practice tracks provide. They had to take those courses as pre-reqs when they wanted to add a DNP later.

That's a whole other angle to consider. Think about what your long terms goals are. Will you might want a DNP later? Then you might be better off getting the CNS ... and adding an educational certificate if you need it in the future. If you might want a PhD, then that's another story. What are your long-term goals? What possible career pathways are most likely to interest you in 15 years? etc.

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

Great points, llg. I am making sure the programs I consider have the 3 Ps... in many programs they are the same classes required for the FNP students. But it's an important consideration, since I am not completely sure if I will go onto the DNP or not.

[LilyRN99]

I have heard you can teach with a APN degree but you can't be a APN with a masters in education. I think the APN track would make more career options Available.