Decisions! Decisions!

[ans2680]

Hi, everyone!:loveya:

I am a new member to allnurses.com even though I have been perusing the site since I was an undergraduate nursing student. Over the last six months, I have made some major educational decisions. Since my undergrad days, I've always had a desire to pursue doctoral studies. When I was working on my Master of Nursing degree with Family Nurse Practitioner specialization, I first learned about the Doctor of Nursing Practice. I had always wanted the PhD but thought that maybe I should get the DNP due to the possibly of higher reimbursement for NPs with the DNP degree. So, for the Fall 2009 semester, I have been enrolled as a DNP student. But, it just didn't feel right. I wasn't enjoying the educational process like I wanted to. It seemed more like a chore. I also know that I really want to teach as a university professor one day and had concerns about tenure-track with a DNP degree. After speaking with the graduate chairperson of a PhD program, the choice became very clear. I needed to transfer to the PhD program. Besides, I happen to love theory and research as much as I enjoy patient encounters. So, for the Spring 2010 semester, I will be enrolled in a PhD program and I am very excited. However, the next endeavor I would like to get is some type of formal education in nursing education. Since I work full-time as a school NP and working on my PhD part-time, I figured it would be better to focus on this endeavor after completing my PhD which will hopefully be within the next 3.5 to 4 years going year round. My question is should I complete a post-masters certificate in nurse education or complete a MSN in Clinical Nurse Specialist- Nursing Education? For some reason, the CNS in Nursing Education seems more appealling, but it is really necessary?

Thanks,

ans2680:redbeathe

[UVA Grad Nursing]

Does your university offer any classes in education? Look outside of the nursing department if need be. For example, at my University we have a class on nursing education, but also a graduate school of education which has numerous classes in curriculum design, education technologies, testing and measurement, etc. Nursing as a discipine does not have a monopoly on how to teach.

Also, look to see if your university has programs to help students develop as teachers. Surely there must be some graduate teaching assistants somewhere at your university --- look to see if you can take advantage of their TA training programs.

[ans2680]

Yes, my university does have a Graduate School of Education. I guess I just didn't think about taking classes there! As a matter of fact, my program has 9 semester hours of cognates (electives) that are required. I will look into picking up some graduate courses in the education department.

Thanks!

[Smitty08]

Wow! You are ambitious. My suggestion: skip the education masters. You will have your hands full with the PhD - that is what will land you a teaching post if that is what you desire. Maybe you can work in some courses in education, curriculum and etc... Be careful you don't underestimate the work of a doctorate - you will be busy! Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

You may also be able to use some of those electives for online courses in nursing education taken at other schools. Check out the possibilities. You might find some other schools that offer their nursing education courses online. You could arrange to take those courses and count them as the electives in your PhD program.

Lots of possibilities ...