Help! What MSN track do I do

[KJRNBSN921]

Hi there! I've been a nurse for 5 years and have my BSN. I would like to go back to school to get my MSN but am having a really hard time deciding on a specific track. Originally I said I didn't want to be a NP, but I don't want a role in administration. I love direct patient care. I cant imagine sitting in an office M-F 9-5 or 7-3. I love the flexibility of nursing schedules such as 3 12s. I don't mind weekends and holidays.

Soo I'm looking for some guidance on what type of MSN to pursue, I really don't know what my goals are to figure it out!! Just so confused on what i want to do years from now but want to get school done sooner than later. From what I'm reading it seems like a good idea to do NP as you ultimately could teach or do a manager role, not necessarily need to work as a direct np. Ugh help

[cleback]

Do you like teaching or preceptoring? Nurse educator might fit since your concentration would be quality nursing care, not necessarily the management aspect.

[KJRNBSN921]

I do like teaching/precepting. I was thinking maybe a clinical nurse specialist track?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think you are on the right track, asking the right questions, etc. Maybe you just need to give it a little more. Figure out what type of work you want to do ... talk to people who do that type of work and ask them for recommendations ... and then choose a program. That seems to be what you are doing.

But note: While there are a few NP's who teach or do management, the NP degree doesn't prepare people for those roles. Many times, NP's who want teaching careers or administrative careers have to take additional classes on nursing education or administration. And sometimes, NP's are chosen for those other roles because they get lucky and no one with more appropriate credentials happens to be available. If you want to be an NP, by all means get an NP degree. But don't assume that it is an "all purpose degree" because a few NP's have gotten some other non-NP jobs. As graduate education becomes more common in nursing, employers are looking for a better match between credentials and jobs -- unlike the situation 20 years ago when "any Master's would do" for some jobs.

Have you thought about staff development (Nursing Professional Development)? Several different MSN's support a career in Nursing Professional Development -- and its a field that is focues on practice and can be very "close to the bedside". Sometimes, it's a role that can include some direct patient care.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

You could also consider APRN for acute care. That will set you up for positions as an NP, but in a hospital setting. Trauma. ICU. Burn. Cardiac. etc.