How to choose an MSN program

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I'm an RN who is completing her BSN in March for University of Texas-Arlington. I want to start on my MSN within a year after graduating. I am deciding between and education or an administration degree. I think NP is out of the questions, because I don't think I can do all the clinical hours while working and spending time with my family. What I am looking for is a degree program that is online, can be done part time, is affordable, provides a quality education and (most importantly) is respected by employers. I have found a number of affordable programs that can be done part time (Fort Hayes State University for one), but I'm having a hard time ascertaining whether the programs are effective and well-respected. Money is a concern, but I would rather pay more to receive a good education and get a job after graduation. Any suggestions, either school suggestions or help figuring out what constitutes a good program?

I'm having a hard time finding any info about online MSN programs. There seems to be a lot of info on the RN-BSN programs, but the graduate degrees are a mystery. Anyone have any recommendations?

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

My workplace has a partnership with Walden University. I am currently in my second semester/third class (finishes Sunday, start the fourth on Monday) in the education specialization. So far, so good. Still have 7 classes plus practicum to go. I know that at least one professor at the nursing school graduated from Walden and had no problem getting a job in education. I know there are other programs out there, but I chose this one because it seemed like they expected strenuous academic work from students, it fits with my schedule, and my workplace finds it valuable enough to form a partnership.

Hi there. I just finished the BSN program through western governors University and I have nothing but positive things to say.

Im going right into their MSN program. ** if i take a break I will stop:)**

But they offer MSN in leadership/management and MSN in education.

The tuition is dirt cheap and classes are doable.

I was able to work full time and be a single mother with no difficulty.

Just wanted to let you know of another option.

I'm an RN who is completing her BSN in March for University of Texas-Arlington. I want to start on my MSN within a year after graduating. I am deciding between and education or an administration degree. I think NP is out of the questions, because I don't think I can do all the clinical hours while working and spending time with my family. What I am looking for is a degree program that is online, can be done part time, is affordable, provides a quality education and (most importantly) is respected by employers. I have found a number of affordable programs that can be done part time (Fort Hayes State University for one), but I'm having a hard time ascertaining whether the programs are effective and well-respected. Money is a concern, but I would rather pay more to receive a good education and get a job after graduation. Any suggestions, either school suggestions or help figuring out what constitutes a good program?

I'm glad you've both had good experiences with online nursing schools. It makes me feel a little more confident knowing that a Master's from a strictly online school is respected by those doing the hiring. I understand the need to do the MSN right after the BSN. I was going to take a year off, but I started to have doubts that I would go back. I've looked at Western Governors University before, but I have 2 concerns about it. First, I just don't know how I feel about the pass/fail aspect of the classes. I'm motivated to study partially because of my desire to maintain my A average. I'm worried I would lose some of that in a pass/fail situation and in an online learning situation, motivation is everything. My other concern is that, while I love the pricing, I'm worried that I would overstretch myself trying to get as much done as I could in a short time, since it isn't priced by hour, but in 6 month increments. Do you find yourself having that problem with that?

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think it is a big mistake to go to graduate school before knowing what type of work you want to do.

Do you want to be an educator? Do you / would you enjoy an educational career? Do you have any natural talent for being a teacher? Are you planning to teach undergraduate nursing students or do staff development?

Do you want to be a manager/administrator? Would you enjoy that type of work? Do you have any natural talent for managing other people's practice?

The type of work you want to do should be a big factor in the school you choose for your graduate education. You should choose a school that has a strong program focusing on the type of work you want to do. And it sounds like you are not yet certain of the type of work you want to do. That's OK. Most nurses do not know what advanced role will suit them best until after they have practiced for a bit and tried a few things out. Don't throw your money (and time) away on a graduate education until you are really ready to make a good choice about the nature of the work that will suit you best in the long run.

llg, PhD, RN-BC

Truthfully, I have been practicing for a while, 6 years, and if I were to pick the career I truly want I would probably choose nurse practitioner, but due to the fact that I need to work full time and I have a young daughter and I don't want to lose time with her I just don't think it's in the cards for me. An NP program just requires more clinical time than I am willing to sacrifice. I know I want to continue in an acute care setting, not an academic setting (at least not right now), but I do have interest in education (patient education or staff development). I would like to keep the option open for a move to management down the line. I'm just trying to decide which pathway will be the most flexible. I want to be marketable and I don't really want to be pigeonholed into one career.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

OK. That's a good start - a lot more focused than what it appeared in your OP. Have you considered a Clinical Nurse Leader track? I believe that such a pathway might give you the flexibility you seek. A CNS track might also be an option, depending on your clinical areas of interest.

Most MSN's in education focus only on the role of the educator in academia -- teaching for a university or school of nursing. Very few provide good content on staff development and continuing education. If you are interested in Nursing Professional Development, make sure that any programs you choose include that content and allow you to do your preceptorship in that specialty. I am in Nursing Professional Development and have precepted a couple of MSN students -- most of who got NOTHING about staff development or continuing education from their schools. It's like I am starting from scratch with them.

Good luck to you.

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