Help deciding on FNP or Ed?

UVA Grad Nursing · Oct 23, 2008

Where do you want to teach (and to what type of student)? At my institution (as well as many other schools with CCNE accreditation), we are required to have faculty with MSNs in the areas that they are teaching (critical care, psych, public health, adult health, women's health, etc) as well as advanced certification in those clinical areas. We have not hired those with MSNs in education. There are also requirements of some state BONs for faculty requirements for different levels of education. In my state, RN programs that are NLN-accredited do not require a MSN in a specialty area.

If you have your heart set at becoming a patient educator or teaching at an ADN program in your community, then a MSN in Education is a good match for that goal. If you want to teach BSN (or higher) students, ask your local schools of nursing who they are hiring. Pursue the program that will allow you to do what you want to do.

graceofone · Oct 23, 2008

I'm having exactly the same problem, however, lately I have been leaning more towards FNP because it is versatile. You could work in a hospital, clinic or if you decided later that you wanted to teach, you could start in an ADN program and work toward your certificate later. JMHO, though. Good luck!

IrishItalianRN · Oct 24, 2008

I'm thinking about these options as well. I start my RN-BSN program Monday and figure I have about a year before i need to make up my mind. I didnt know that to teach in a BSN program you had to have more than your MSN in education.

I love these boards... i am always learning on them...

UVA Grad Nursing · Oct 25, 2008

Italian RN:

There are two agencies that accredit nursing programs, the National League of Nursing (NLN, that accredits all diploma and AD programs as well as some BSN programs) and the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (which accredits BSN and graduate programs). It is CCNE that requires that faculty have clinical degrees and certifications in what they are teaching. I do not believe that NLN requires this standard.

Jen2002 · Oct 25, 2008

Thanks for the replies. I just want as many opportunities as possible, and once you specialize in Ed, it will be hard to return for FNP. I am wondering if being a FNP, and then the ed certificate, if it will weight the same as a specialization in ed? Same job opportunites, etc.

MommyandRN · Oct 26, 2008

Hi, I have been considering the same things. I read on here that you don't really need a MSN in Education to teach, just basically a MSN in anything. I looked at some school's faculty and saw a lot of CRNPs that teach. Also, a lot of the professors go on to get PhDs in education so you could do that if you really get into it. I figure I will get FNP and that way I can always work as an NP and maybe teach if I want. Also, the rumor is that after 2015 they will make NPs get a doctoral degree. So if you want to be a NP later you will have to go to school longer.

On the other hand, I know someone who is getting MSN in education because it is the cheapest (a lot of grants out there for nurse educators right now), and figures she can get a post masters certificate in something else.

Jen2002 · Oct 27, 2008

That is so true. So maybe i will stay with the MSN in Ed, then do FNP later. It is just like doing a certificate, right?

MommyandRN · Oct 27, 2008

I think post masters "certificates" are really like a 2nd masters degree. You already have taken the core/theory courses and just need to take clinicals for your specific track, and any advanced pharm/patho courses you need for that degree. So it does require a good amount of courses.

Another thing is, you could just take courses for BOTH tracks at the same time, and end up with a dual masters? A possibility I think.

Jen2002 · Oct 27, 2008

Now I am so undecided where to go to grad school. I thought I had it narrowed to Lewis University or Loyola University(Chicago). Now I am having the financial thoughts going through my head, along with the preceptor clinical crap! UGH!!! Why does this part have to be so difficult. I thought the schooling portion was supposed to be the hard part.