masters in clinical area or management?

allnurses Guide · Oct 25, 2004

It entirely depends on what you want to do. I'm in a master's program for education, because I like teaching. There are fewer CNS programs than there used to be, if you want to specialize in one specific area of clinical nursing that's the route to go. Most are in mental health, I've known some who do geriatrics. NP's are mostly doing primary care if independently practicing (that I can see). A master's isn't just so you can say you have one, it's so you can study what you're interested in. Good luck!

can't imagine why anyone would want to do administration (my hat's off to you teeituptom!), but if that's what you like, go for it.

crazyearrings · Oct 25, 2004

On the same line, anybody familiar with schools offering a CNS in pediatrics? OU dropped their pediatric CNS when they started their PNP program. One of the reasons I have never pursued an advanced degree is there is no place that offers one that interests me. I would be interested in distance learning, if anybody knows such a program for pediatric CNS.

dianacs · Oct 25, 2004

On the same line, anybody familiar with schools offering a CNS in pediatrics? OU dropped their pediatric CNS when they started their PNP program. One of the reasons I have never pursued an advanced degree is there is no place that offers one that interests me. I would be interested in distance learning, if anybody knows such a program for pediatric CNS.

Yes, here is one http://www.slu.edu/colleges/NR/msn_curriculum.html (you have to scroll down a bit on the page)

I don't know anything about it other than it exists and that being SLU, it probably costs lots of $$$.

t2000JC · Oct 25, 2004

My problem is that same thing--I know I don't want to bedside nursing forever, and this is the best time to pursue a degree for me as a I basically single and am able to be pretty flexible. I would like a degree that would work well generally and I would eventually like to do research I think, but have yet a find a degree that I like that is not too narrowing and, ahem, boring...t.

BlaineCM · Oct 26, 2004

Why wouldn't you advise going into administration? I am just curious because I have been contemplating going into grad school for either Health Administration, NP, or Pharmacy.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Oct 26, 2004

On the same line, anybody familiar with schools offering a CNS in pediatrics? OU dropped their pediatric CNS when they started their PNP program. One of the reasons I have never pursued an advanced degree is there is no place that offers one that interests me. I would be interested in distance learning, if anybody knows such a program for pediatric CNS.

The Advanced Child Health Specialty program at University of South Alabama is a combo PNP/CNS program

http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/pnp/

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 26, 2004

Have you checked out the Univ. of Phoenix's on-line program? I have a friend who is a pediatric CNS who got her Master's there and she is an excellent peds CNS.

You might also do well by choosing a program in administration, leadership, or education -- and then taking an extra course or two to fill in whatever you think would help you.

Many years ago, I started my Master's program as an administration major, perinatal minor ... then switched the 2 to graduate with a perinatal major, administration minor. I also took some electives in the nursing education tract. While I spent a little more time getting my Master's than most people today (The requirements were greater then AND I took 2 extra classes.) that broad general education at the graduate level prepared me very well for a wide variety of roles -- CNS, staff development educator, manager, etc.

Good luck,

llg

missmercy · Oct 26, 2004

My MSN is a dual emphasis in nursing administration and education: went with the dual because II thought it would be more marketable. The facility where I am has placed little or no value on the degree -- they have 2 CNSs who are stating that merely being master's prepared does not constitute advanced practice nursing and that to "be useful" I should get my CNS - :angryfire - prefferably in Pediatrics as neither of them are interested in that area.

However, their goals for my future and my goals for my future are a bit different. Eventually I will leave this place of torture and head off to a university to teach - :) - there are 4 universities locally clammoring for MSN prepared instructors -- at that time I will start working on a Phd in nursing ed/administration - :rolleyes: - then I will return here to visit -- just to relish the looks on their faces when they call me "Dr.Missmercy" -- not really - I don't want the Phd to put it in their faces -- regardless of how rewarding that might be for a moment or two. The Phd just fits my goals better than a CNS would. Different strokes for different folks!

t2000JC · Oct 26, 2004

What about masters in public health or public administration? I'm wondering how these would fit in with neonatal nursing. t.

allnurses Guide · Oct 26, 2004

Why wouldn't you advise going into administration? I am just curious because I have been contemplating going into grad school for either Health Administration, NP, or Pharmacy.

Strictly personal preference, I enjoy direct contact with patients and other people. Don't like paperwork, don't want to play playground monitor between squabbling coworkers (some of the arguements I see are pretty childish!). If you like organizing and managing on a larger scale, go for it! Nothing against administrators, just isn't my cup of tea.