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?

Specializes in anesthesiology.

why take on the extra debt in a field with such low compensation? And how would having a masters degree effect your practice? Why not just read the books that pertain to your interest without paying $1000/credit hour?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
11 hours ago, murseman24 said:

why take on the extra debt in a field with such low compensation? And how would having a masters degree effect your practice? Why not just read the books that pertain to your interest without paying $1000/credit hour?

in my case, i will get a salary bump after my next class. Then again after the next 15 credits then when my degree is complete. Also, i do get modest tuition reimbursement AND i'm taking my classes at a slower pace so that I can maximize my tuition reimbursement. So far i'm 4 classes in and only out of pocket 500 bucks.

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Specializes in School nursing.
1 hour ago, Flare said:

in my case, i will get a salary bump after my next class. Then again after the next 15 credits then when my degree is complete. Also, i do get modest tuition reimbursement AND i'm taking my classes at a slower pace so that I can maximize my tuition reimbursement. So far i'm 4 classes in and only out of pocket 500 bucks.

That is the way to do it! My school does offer tuition reimbursement up to $1,000/year, but that doesn't go super far for any of the programs in my area I'd be interested in thus far.

They will reimburse my fees for the national certification exam, thankfully.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

tuition at the school i'm getting my degree from is about 360 per credit. it's really one of the cheapest for an accredited school.

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Specializes in ICU.

I would decide what route I wanted to go prior to spending the time, effort, and money in a masters degree.

without a specific focus area, I wouldn’t think there is much value in a masters. The goal is to focus on your desired area of expertise and then become a subject matter expert/graduate in that field.

good luck with whatever route you end up choosing.

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Specializes in school nursing.

I'm currently in my last class of the SNHU online MSN program, and love it! I took the MSN- Generalist approach and I'm so glad that I did. I find that working in such an autonomous position, the classes at SNHU have provided me with an overall increased knowledge-base in all areas of nursing. And the program is so flexible in terms of scheduling; I was part time (one class over 10 weeks) for the school year, and did 2 or 3 classes over the summer to help me get through the program faster. Specifically, I have found that the care coordination aspect of my job has become intrinsic in my practice, and I'm able to more effectively advocate for my students and their families.

As for obtaining an MSN despite being in a position that has low compensation...I didn't seek an MSN for increased compensation. I simply did it to better myself and my practice in order to benefit my students (patients). I did it because my love for my profession had fueled my desire to be better, and the process of obtaining my MSN has done that. I don't know that had I gone into another specialty of nursing, I would have had the urge to continued my education. Buying books and teaching oneself (which is how I chose to spend my free time) can only get you so far.

I hope you find your way, and good luck in your future academic endeavors!

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8 minutes ago, shark_nurse14 said:

I'm currently in my last class of the SNHU online MSN program, and love it! I took the MSN- Generalist approach and I'm so glad that I did. I find that working in such an autonomous position, the classes at SNHU have provided me with an overall increased knowledge-base in all areas of nursing. And the program is so flexible in terms of scheduling; I was part time (one class over 10 weeks) for the school year, and did 2 or 3 classes over the summer to help me get through the program faster. Specifically, I have found that the care coordination aspect of my job has become intrinsic in my practice, and I'm able to more effectively advocate for my students and their families.

As for obtaining an MSN despite being in a position that has low compensation...I didn't seek an MSN for increased compensation. I simply did it to better myself and my practice in order to benefit my students (patients). I did it because my love for my profession had fueled my desire to be better, and the process of obtaining my MSN has done that. I don't know that had I gone into another specialty of nursing, I would have had the urge to continued my education. Buying books and teaching oneself (which is how I chose to spend my free time) can only get you so far.

I hope you find your way, and good luck in your future academic endeavors!

Thank you so much for this response. I started my rn to Bsn with SNHU and the only reason I transferred out was because I got a better deal elsewhere. Other than that I loved them and was leaning toward them for my masters but just wanted to look at all my options and what would make more sense financially as a school nurse. I know I'll get a salary bump but I didn't;t just want to waste my money on any type of masters program. Your comment definitely helped me make a design. Thanks again ?

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Specializes in NCSN.

Another thing to look at is nursing informatics. We have a few nurses in my district going that route because of the changing charting systems and requests for data regarding student health.

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Specializes in CVICU.
On 1/11/2020 at 1:47 PM, shark_nurse14 said:

I'm currently in my last class of the SNHU online MSN program, and love it! I took the MSN- Generalist approach and I'm so glad that I did. I find that working in such an autonomous position, the classes at SNHU have provided me with an overall increased knowledge-base in all areas of nursing. And the program is so flexible in terms of scheduling; I was part time (one class over 10 weeks) for the school year, and did 2 or 3 classes over the Summer to help me get through the program faster. Specifically, I have found that the care coordination aspect of my job has become intrinsic in my practice, and I'm able to more effectively advocate for my students and their families.

As for obtaining an MSN despite being in a position that has low compensation...I didn't seek an MSN for increased compensation. I simply did it to better myself and my practice in order to benefit my students (patients). I did it because my love for my profession had fueled my desire to be better, and the process of obtaining my MSN has done that. I don't know that had I gone into another specialty of nursing, I would have had the urge to continued my education. Buying books and teaching oneself (which is how I chose to spend my free time) can only get you so far.

I hope you find your way, and good luck in your future academic endeavors!

Shark_nurse14,

I hope this reply somehow finds you many years later. I have recently been accepted into SNHU’s MSN generalist program. I am currently an cardiovascular ICU RN in a hospital setting looking to get her masters without a specialty because I am perfectly content doing what I do right now. I figured in a few years I’d know if I want to become an NP or just look for a supervisor/nurse management like job. Do you feel that your experience in SNHU’s masters program would prepare you for a post masters certificate?

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