Continuing Education Crossroads... HELP!

Nurses Career Support

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Hey!

I've been a nurse for 2 years now & I miss school :lol2: I want 2 start taking some cont edu coorifices in the fall, but I don't want 2 waste my time or $$$ on useless/unnecessary classes... So I thought I'd post this thread 2 see if I'll get any suggestions/ideas on where to go from here. :confused:

My next goal is a master's degree, but in the future I'm not looking 2 go into acute/intesive care, pediatrics, or geriatrics specifically so... what's left for me to specialize in?! I was thinking informatics, but what can I do with that type of credential when I don't have any other IT expertise? I was also debating about an NP program vs a PA program... their roles are fairly the same, but IDK?!

Any thoughts/suggestions/personal experience stories... Care to share!!!

Thanx! :nurse: Cookie

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It's good to hear from one of my fellow "HAPPY LEARNERS".... we love taking classes & learning new things. It's a very happy place for us.

I would encourage you to move toward a clinical certification first. http://www.nursecredentialing.org/ There are self-study courses as well as intensive prep courses all over the place. If you are not sure about a specialty, go for the MedSurg certification. If that doesn't appeal to you, there are certification programs in informatics that are designed just for nurses and other healthcare professionals... check out this site for more info http://www.amia.org/

When you're ready to go to grad school, an MSN is a must... it is absolutely essential for career progression of any sort. Many nurse leaders with MBAs have found this out the hard way, having to double-back and get an MSN in order to keep their jobs. There are a ton of options open to you. Have fun along the way!

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