Master of Science in Gerontology

Murse901, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

Not sure where this degree would be applicable. If you want to get it for the knowledge, get it. If you want to get it to get a job, I'm not sure whether or not it's a great idea. I just did a search on Careerbuilder for Master of Science in Gerontology and only found 3 jobs in the entire country, and all of those required EITHER a bachelor's or a master's in any number of subjects including Gerontology.

As a side note, most states require nursing home administrators to have a degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing Home Administration, or some variant of an administration degree.

Have you considered getting your MSN instead of a Master's in another area?

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

i know two people that are in the process of receiving something similar. however, i do not know anyone getting the degree without obtaining a masters in nursing first or obtaining it without the msn attached. one is a nurse educator (current msn wanting to add this to her specialty) at a hospital working in med surg who will continue in her position when she graduates. the other wants to continue to work in long term care but as a an administrator and educator (she is currently working bedside).

PAERRN20 · Oct 13, 2009

Thanks for the replies. I do not want to get a MSN for various reasons. I have an ASN and a BSN so I don't want to do anymore nursing. I am interested in the administrative side of things. I will look into a Master in Healthcare Administration more. I don't want to do bedside nursing forever.

Moogie · Oct 13, 2009

Some MSN programs offer specialization as either a gerontological nurse practitioner or CNS. The downside as far as I can see to those particular programs, though, is having to complete a clinical component. My goal is get back into teaching nursing, not work as either an NP or a CNS in a clinical setting.

I think the biggest problem with a MS in gero, though, is that it's not a nursing degree. The ideal, IMHO, would be a dual degree like the MSN/MPH degree only MSN (possibly nurse educator) and MS gero. I don't want to do to master's degrees, though, so I am planning on taking as many gero electives as possible in grad school.

I wish you the best in achieving your goals! Gero is definitely an area of growth in nursing and enthusiastic, committed nurses are certainly needed in gerontology. :up:

PAERRN20 · Oct 14, 2009

Thanks for the replies!

Jennybird · Jul 19, 2011

I feel like I've been tagging onto lots of older entries, but wanted to add my two cents. The people that I know who have their MSG (Master in Gero) have rough times getting jobs, and typically have social work jobs (entry level). This is with the degree alone. One MSG told me she wishes she would have gotten an MSW bc many of the applicable, gero-related jobs want these credentials. I don't think having a MSG, even if added to another degree, will help you get an administration job. I think a MPH would be much more appropriate or even just a certificate in nursing home admin, if that is the direction you'd like to go in.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jul 20, 2011

Typically most people pair a graduate CERTIFICATE in gerontology with their MSN degree.

Jennybird · Jul 20, 2011

ScottE is right. Now that I think back, when I was getting my MSW (w concentration in Gero), there were a few nurses who were pursuing certificates in Gero; we had classes together.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2011

I've worked in several nursing homes in 2 states....my understanding is that nursing home administrators have to be Licensed Nursing Home Administrators (LNHA), through that program, regardless of their college degrees. :) But administrators have to deal with a LOT of state and federal beauracracy (I know I killed that spelling).... are there enough perks to have to deal with that?? State surveys are a major pain and stress, and the complaint investigations can be brutal...even when nothing was done wrong. :uhoh3: