Masters in the Science of Nursing vs Masters in Biological Science

Specialties CRNA

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Are there advantages/disadvantages to these different degrees?

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Are there advantages/disadvantages to these different degrees?

Nope.

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Thx kolob

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Are there advantages/disadvantages to these different degrees?

The only disadvantage is if you want to go on and get your DNP or PhD in nursing later. Then you may have to take some extra classes if you graduated with an MS degree versus an MSN.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The biology is generic IMHO if you are wanting to continue to practice as an RN in any capacity. What would be your reasoning for pursuing a biology degree?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
The biology is generic IMHO if you are wanting to continue to practice as an RN in any capacity. What would be your reasoning for pursuing a biology degree?

It is common for CRNA schools to be outside of nursing schools i.e. MS in Biology or other MS degree is conferred instead of an MSN in those CRNA schools.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

I would recommend a MSN over non nursing masters. Many schools and programs require the degree be in nursing. Many state boards of nursing also require a nursing degree.

It will not hurt you if you ONLY do anesthesia from that point on. If you want to go back for your DNP you may have issues.

If you ever decide to add a certification as I did, you may run into licensing issues.

For instance Oregon, which I was already licensed in as a CRNA, would not license me as a FNP even though I held a Masters and a Doctorate(DNAP) from fully accredited school. Was there in difference in degrees? None at all except we actually received 12 EXTRA semester credits of pathophys and pharm in my DNAP program. Every else was EXACTLY the same.

So I am of the mind that the future may change and you might want to go back for something else.

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Thank you everyone for your input. You guys shed a lot of light for me. I was curious on the matter since the school I'm in now offers a masters degree in biological sciences.

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Reconsidering my post. There is an advantage of an MS over MSN. In an M program you are spared nausea inducing "Nursing Theory " classes.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

I could not agree more with this post.

Reconsidering my post. There is an advantage of an MS over MSN. In an M program you are spared nausea inducing "Nursing Theory " classes.
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Lol, its funny u mentioned that. It was actually what I was attracted to the most bout the program I'm in.

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I think saying an MSN is better for transitioning to a DNP is a crock of turtle doo nowadays.

With the coming DNP requirement, more schools are going to launch MS to DNP programs. I know my school will be doing it in the near future as they announced earlier this year, all they have offered up until now was the MS. Wouldn't be fair to expect practicing CRNA's with an MS to obtain an MSN before getting their DNP.

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