MSN earning power -- Clinical or Administrative??

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm seriously considering going for my MSN immediately after completing my BSN, basically b/c my life is set up for school and would be a good time to do it.

In terms of career flexibility and earning power, is one better off going the clinical route (APRN, NP) or Administrative route?

Also -- how valuable is an MSN degree? Any of you out there wish you already had it? or alternatively, regret spending the time and $$ to get it?

And how valuable is MSN clinical training? I mean, are you much better off in terms of training?

thx,

Mr_D

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In this area, clinical gets the nod. I work the floor now, but I got a grand total of about a dollar an hour raise for my administrative/education MSN. Did mine online, clinicals at a local clinic. Couldn't do NP this route, so can't offer any insight there. Considering transferring credits now to local university, need 13 to 17 hours for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I don't know, I don't want to move and there's limited opportunities here so would it be a waste?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I'm planning on going for my MS in Nursing Education, but then I did my BSN more than 20 years ago. I'm doing it because of the itch to do something new, not because I ever expect to get my money back out of it. But, education doesn't always have to be all about money........ Also, my back is starting to go, so if I get to the point of not being able to do ER anymore, I'll still be able to teach, which I also enjoy very much.

The question for you is, what do you want to do in nursing? If bedside or critical care, or long term, etc., all the things available immediately with your BSN, is what you want to do, then I'd say go do them! Experience under the belt helps a whole lot in deciding what to do next, or define what is or isn't your passion. The clinical experience as a student doesn't begin to touch what you'll really be doing in a few years. If what you want is going to take the master's degree, go for it. I honestly think you'll get more out of it after working a few years first, and really defining what you want to do if you aren't really sure now.

Good luck in whatever you choose

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