Leadership or NP

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Hello! I'm currently an ASN student and after graduation I want to go to WGU for their ASN to MSN Leadership degree. I know for a fact I want a master's but going for a NP is a little intimidating at moment. I figure it will take 3 to 3.5 years to finish the masters then I will decide to do NP or not.

My question is...Is this a waste of time? I live in Indiana and all the NP programs want you to have clinical experience which is fine but I don't want to take a break from school and I feel that bachelor's is a waste if they are offering a RN to MSN track. Thoughts?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi - these are really good questions. I can tell you that I have an MSN in management and leadership and it didn't do me much good - might be different for you.

However, as an APN I make money for our practice and I like my job a lot. For me, this was the way to go. Just my $0.02

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It depends on what type of work you want to do for the rest of your life. Are you really ready to make that decision now?

Some people love NP roles. Others would hate being NP (me included). Some people love management -- others hate it. etc. etc. etc. I don't think you can possibly know which path is right for you until you actually "feel what it's like" to be a nurse and discover which aspects appeal to you more than others -- and which types of work you have a natural talent for and which aspects you do not have a talent for.

Work a little before you make a commitment. Get comfortable with yourself as a nurse before you decide. If that means you have to delay your education a semester or two, that's an investment worth making. You don't want to waste a lot of time and money on a degree that gets you a job you don't want. If you have to start school in order to get a job, just take some general classes that will apply to whichever path you choose -- until you are sure of your path. But don't rush into something you'll regret having to pay for later. I know lots of people (me included) who changed their minds about their career paths after they got a little more experience under their belts.

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Great advice! Thats why I was considering the leadership degree so that way I will know if I wanted to Persue NP. I am currently in pediatrics and want to stay in that field but I know I don't want to be on the floor for 20 years. Thanks so much!

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So you have both degrees?!

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Don't get ahead of yourself. Earn your ASN. Practice at that level before you even think about additional credentials. Who knows.. you could end up like me, an ASN making 6 figures working from home in my jammies.

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Don't get ahead of yourself. Earn your ASN. Practice at that level before you even think about additional credentials. Who knows.. you could end up like me, an ASN making 6 figures working from home in my jammies.

I'm definitely looking into entrepreneurship! Or other avenues but I'm the type of person who had to have a plan A to Z. Or I will feel unorganized in my proffession.

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