Masters in Nursing

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Hey Guys,

In need of some advice on what to focus when trying to get my masters. I just started school nursing and honestly see myself here long term. I really want my masters but not sure what to specialize in. I know many school nurses chose masters in education but I'm not entirely sure I would want to teach. I've been looking into Clinical Nurse leadership and just wasn't sure if that would be worth the money working as a school nurse. I also heard of just a general masters in nursing from Southern New Hampshire University but again I'm not sure which route to chose. Any thoughts/suggestions?

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

I know several school nurses who did the MSN through SNHU and a) really liked the program and b) found it relevant to their practice; at this point in my life it doesn't make financial sense (or stress-inducing sense) for me to go back for my Masters, but I always thought I would do a MPH with a concentration on epidemiology; I find that to be so fascinating...

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I have a friend who has been a school nurse for many years. Her MSN is as a PNP, with a minor in Community Health Nursing. I always thought that was a nice combination. But I don't know if there are any schools anymore that would allow you to have 2 different foci.

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6 minutes ago, llg said:

I have a friend who has been a school nurse for many years. Her MSN is as a PNP, with a minor in Community Health Nursing. I always thought that was a nice combination. But I don't know if there are any schools anymore that would allow you to have 2 different foci.

I can't remember when and where I heard this, but I had thought nurse practitioners were advised to put that license on hold while practicing as a registered nurse in the school setting due to liability issues. Please someone, correct me if I'm wrong.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I don't know if my friend has kept her PNP license active or not -- but it certainly gave her great peds assessment skills.

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29 minutes ago, k1p1ssk said:

I know several school nurses who did the MSN through SNHU and a) really liked the program and b) found it relevant to their practice; at this point in my life it doesn't make financial sense (or stress-inducing sense) for me to go back for my Masters, but I always thought I would do a MPH with a concentration on epidemiology; I find that to be so fascinating...

I've heard great things about there program so I'm leaning towards them but I really wanted to take a look at all other options as well

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Absolutely true! And I suppose if you have it, you can put that license on hold, you have your MSN and will still move up in the salary schedule AND can use the NP later if you choose.

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6 minutes ago, ihavealltheice said:

I can't remember when and where I heard this, but I had thought nurse practitioners were advised to put that license on hold while practicing as a registered nurse in the school setting due to liability issues. Please someone, correct me if I'm wrong.

I've heard you could not practice as a NP while working as a RN in a school setting as well

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i'm working towards a masters in emergency management. I started thinking about life after school nursing -in the grand scheme, i can retire in 13 years, which too far off so I wanted to think about the things that would incorporate my skills as a first responder, my experiences as a nurse, yet still be relevant to my day to day practice. Between disease outbreaks, the effect of natural disasters on communities, and the impacts of man-made disasters, there's plenty of topics to keep me busy and interested.

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I am one of three NPs in my school district. My NP license is not currently active since I do not need it for this job. The other NPs, however are active. One actually functions as a NP (SBHC) so she needs it, the other is active but working as a school nurse.

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Specializes in School nursing.
2 hours ago, MHDNURSE said:

I am one of three NPs in my school district. My NP license is not currently active since I do not need it for this job. The other NPs, however are active. One actually functions as a NP (SBHC) so she needs it, the other is active but working as a school nurse.

I was in an NP program (direct-entry was how I became a nurse) when I feel into and than in love with school nursing. The NP made no sense for me at that point, so I pulled out of the program.

I do debate a master's in Public Health in case I want that career option. But than I remember the workload and I'm like UGH. So my plan is just to study and pass the exam for national school nurse certification.

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Specializes in Ortho, CMSRN.

Clinical nurse leadership is a great role, but it seems specialized for hospitals. I love bedside nursing, patient care, and caring for the same patient for more than a day, so I think I'd really like the CNL role. That being said, college is expensive, and I have two kids who will never be able to afford college unless I go back to school to become a teacher so that they can get free or reduced tuition. I am making choices too. No rush, but a Masters will happen in a few years.

For you, I would wait a bit, The CNL role is not what you think it is, which makes me think that maybe you want to get a masters degree just to get a masters degree. Be a nurse for awhile and then find your reasons to go further. The way will become more clear.

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