How about this: NP vs. MSN ?

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

Since we've already done NP vs. DNP, PA vs. NP, etc., I figured I'd add one more. ;)

No, seriously, I was wondering what people here would do (or did) if they were confronted with this choice.

You can do a lot with an MSN: work at the bedside, teach, do administration or research. And you find them everywhere. However, many RNs experience burnout and limited autonomy. And at least at the bedside I'm not sure how much of your clinical training you get to apply.

NPs have much more autonomy and in addition can diagnose and write prescriptions. And in most, but not all cases, they make more money than MSNs. However, I've heard many say that finding a job can depend heavily on where you live, and I've heard NPs say the MDs dump a lot of work on them.

I'm honestly not sure which route I'd like the best. I'm looking for something with wide geographic flexibility and the opportunity for teaching, but I'd also like to get lots of use out of my assessment/clinical skills.

Thanks

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Specializes in ICU.

When you say MSN, do you mean Clinical Leader? NP's have MSNs, too, except those who were grandfathered in.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

I mean a generic MSN, without any other certification.

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Specializes in critical care.

My thoughts on this scenario have always been....a NP can teach but a MSN-Education cannot be a NP.

My employer offers an onsite, free MSN-Nursing Education program for a 2-year-commitment. I had seriously considered it, but instead I am doing MSN-FNP. I think that will give me the ultimate flexibility at this point. (Of course this also depends on your local job market.)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I faced that decision earlier in my career -- when there were fewer options to choose from. The bottom line for me was that I did not want to be an NP. That type of work just didn't appeal to me.

I chose an MSN in Perinatal Nursing and have had a successful career -- mostly in CNS and Nursing Staff Development roles. I have also done a little teaching. (I did all of that with just my MSN, but I also went back and got my PhD eventually.) A lot of people don't think of CNS and/or Nursing Staff Development when they look ahead at possible career paths, but they are very nice roles -- generally nice hours, well paid, part of the leadership team but not the manager responsible for staffing, the opportunity to have a great influence on improving practice without having to worry much about "whose working Saturday night and Christmas."

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.
I faced that decision earlier in my career -- when there were fewer options to choose from. The bottom line for me was that I did not want to be an NP. That type of work just didn't appeal to me.

I chose an MSN in Perinatal Nursing and have had a successful career -- mostly in CNS and Nursing Staff Development roles. I have also done a little teaching. (I did all of that with just my MSN, but I also went back and got my PhD eventually.) A lot of people don't think of CNS and/or Nursing Staff Development when they look ahead at possible career paths, but they are very nice roles -- generally nice hours, well paid, part of the leadership team but not the manager responsible for staffing, the opportunity to have a great influence on improving practice without having to worry much about "whose working Saturday night and Christmas."

I've heard that, at least here in IL, the CNS and NP roles are pretty much similar. Is that true in other areas?

I had wanted to be a CNS when I started NS because I was interested in specialization and differential diagnosis. But then I heard that there's not much demand for CNS anymore. Staff development is something I hadn't really thought of.

I'm also looking to avoid roles that are geographically limited. I've had enough of that with my previous line of work.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi Joe - as you know I'm a CNS in IL. In IL, the NP and CNS role are exactly the same per our nurse practice act. I did an MSN (nonclinical) in management and leadership in 2005. Ooops - so that made me a highly educatated staff nurse! Hated management and couldn't take the paycut in order to teach...so back to school.

I feel as another posted stated, an NP can teach a generic MSN has fewer options.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I've heard that, at least here in IL, the CNS and NP roles are pretty much similar. Is that true in other areas?

Yes, in many states, the roles are much the same in that NPA recognizes them equally.

I'm also looking to avoid roles that are geographically limited. I've had enough of that with my previous line of work.

Good idea in that some states do not recognize CNS.

I feel as another posted stated, an NP can teach a generic MSN has fewer options.

I totally agree.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

I feel as another posted stated, an NP can teach a generic MSN has fewer options.

But don't NPs have fewer options when it comes to hospital employment?

I was just thinking...if you ended up far from a major city wouldn't an MSN have an easier time finding employment at a local hospital, while an NP would have to hope for sufficient primary care positions were available?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
But don't NPs have fewer options when it comes to hospital employment?

I was just thinking...if you ended up far from a major city wouldn't an MSN have an easier time finding employment at a local hospital, while an NP would have to hope for sufficient primary care positions were available?

NP=MSN

The NP should have no problem securing employment anywhere. Well, let me add to this. Sure, the type of NP specialty can be limiting in some areas, large and small, but the MSN-educated NP can always work anywhere as RN should that occur.

It will take diligent planning to actually move to an area and secure an NP position. But, that holds true with just about any type of location and APN job worth having. Not just NP, but CRNA, CNM, CNS.

I think you're making this a little more complicated than you really are meaning to, Joe.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

Sure, the type of NP specialty can be limiting in some areas, large and small, but the MSN-educated NP can always work anywhere as RN should that occur.

That's what I needed to know.

But an MSN doesn't always make one an NP...at least not in my program, which provides a generalist MSN. You need another year of classes to become an NP.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
That's what I needed to know.

But an MSN doesn't always make one an NP...at least not in my program, which provides a generalist MSN. You need another year of classes to become an NP.

You are correct; MSN does not = NP unless you actually graduate from an APN program. NP or CNS, for example.

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