If you could start back at the beginning...

[Nurse Magnolia, BSN, RN]

Hi All,

I am a brand new nurse - though not new to the working world. I have two bachelors degrees and went back to nursing school at 45 when I could finally do what I wanted to do. I graduated in April, passed my boards a few weeks ago and I begin my job in June in a level III NICU. I have a 3.9 GPA in my bachelors degree prior to nursing school and a 3.9 GPA in my nursing program. So from here, I could pretty much go wherever I want to further my education. My end goal is to be a nurse educator. I was teaching mental health classes prior to nursing school and I really enjoyed the classroom environment and I am also interested in nurse education at the clinical level.

Here's where I get confused. I want to move right on to my next degree (since I'm older). I don't know what to do. I really don't want a third bachelors degree but it doesn't seem to save me any time in the MSN program to skip it. So might as well get it along the way. But I am confused as to whether, if my end goal is teaching, if I should get my MSN in something like FNP, and then get a post masters certificate in education? Or if I should go to the MSN in education (what I'd prefer) and then supplement with experience. I'm also a little worried that my NICU job (which I am very excited about) will be too narrow of a focus to get into education.

So, if you could start from the beginning, and you were me, would you:

(a) do an RN-MSN in Nursing Education (I'm looking at WGU or Carlow University..WGU is winning out due to the low costs and the quickness with which I could complete the program due to my previous coursework)

(b) do an RN-MSN in FNP and a post graduate cert in education

(c) something different I haven't thought of

Any thoughts or advice would be helpful as I've researched so many options that my head is spinning. I don't really plan to do a DNP because of my age if that matters at all to the discussion.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

There is really no need to get an FNP unless you plan to work as a nurse practitioner. It definitely isn't needed in the world of nurse educators. I did much like you, graduating with my ASN at the age of 41 and completing my MSN by the age of 47. I did an RN to MSN program and completed it in 2.5 years.

Definitely get as much acute care under your belt as you can while you are in school. That holds as much weight as the degree does.

I am happy to answer any questions for you.

[Nurse Magnolia, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, not.done.yet said:

There is really no need to get an FNP unless you plan to work as a nurse practitioner. It definitely isn't needed in the world of nurse educators. I did much like you, graduating with my ASN at the age of 41 and completing my MSN by the age of 47. I did an RN to MSN program and completed it in 2.5 years.

Definitely get as much acute care under your belt as you can while you are in school. That holds as much weight as the degree does.

I am happy to answer any questions for you.

Thank you so much for that! So I've decided on an MSN program. I am wondering how much being certified as a CNE matters for employment. I am between 3 programs right now....Sacred Heart MSN, Carlow University RN-BSN-MSN and WGU RN-BSN-MSN. Sacred Heart and WGU would prepare me to sit for the CNE exam. Carlow University (which is local to me) does not. Also, do you think a brick and mortar school (Carlow and SHU) look better than an online school (WGU)?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I personally went to WGU and have had job offers/been recruited all over the place. Well. Frequently, I should say. As far as certification is concerned, it really depends where you see yourself working as to which one you will want to get. CNE generally is considered a certification for academic environments. However, there is a certification for nursing professional development through the ANCC that is more geared toward professional development specialists, who work in an inpatient hospital setting. That is what I do and that is the certification I hold at this time.

You will find people who will say brick and mortar matters and that the school itself matters. That has not been my personal experience, but then I am not overly concerned about going into academia at this point in my career. I find working as a hospital educator pays better, is more reliable, has more opportunity for advancement and gives me all the sense of contribution that I was looking for and none of them have questioned my bonafides.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I re-read your post above. As far as employment and certification goes, it never hurts to have it. However, for professional development certification you must meet the hours of practice requirement to sit for the exam. In other words, you won’t need to worry about it for a couple of years after you begin working in your new role. CNE you can take right away if you so desire.