MSN/Education degree

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 7, 2013

Have you investigated whether or not each program will prepare you for the type of work you want to do when you graduate? A lot of MSN in Nursing Education programs only teach about teaching in an accademic setting. Essentially, they teach only about being undergraduate college instructors. They base their entire curriculum on the National Leagure for Nursing standards/guidelines for college undergraduate teaching and ignore everything else. They completely omit any content related to the field of Nursing Professional Development -- which is its own specialty, with its own official Standards of Practice and ANCC certification exam, and its own professional association (ANPD -- Association of Nursing Professional Development).

As a Nursing Professional Development specialist, this is a big complaint of mine. A significant portion of "nursing education" occurs in the workplace and schools of nursing that claim to prepare nurse educators are failing to provide the necessary content for folks interested in that branch of nursing education. I have precepted several students in MSN Nursing Education programs for their practicum experiences. I have to start from scratch to provide them the content they need -- content about staff development, inservices, continuing education, preceptor training, new grad transition programs, etc.

Talk with the people from the 2 schools that interest you. Find out what opportunities there are in their programs to learn about Nursing Professional Development (NPD)-- and not just undergraduate academic education -- in their program. You might find that one offers you more of what you are really looking for than another.

Good luck. Please let me know what you find out. I am trying to find schools that include NPD content in their Nursing Education Programs so that I can recommend those programs to prospective students looking to practice in that field.

Entravel · Aug 8, 2013

I am currently at Western Governors University getting my Masters in Education. It is a great school! You should go over to the Colleges Forum and look at the threads under Western Governors University. A lot of your questions will be answered and a lot of people wouldn't mind answering any additional questions you may have.

As far as the usefulness of the degree, you will definitely use it. A lot of people are having to go back to school, in my area, that are currently in an educational role and get their MSNed, not to mention the pay increase in my hospital setting, academia is another story. WGU recently added a large practicum component and I'm pretty sure you could schedule some time with someone in NPD if that was your interest to fulfill some of those hours to help with your knowledge base in regards to that area. But I do not think that any MSNed program, as of right now, is going to give you in-depth knowledge of that specialization.

In defense though, I would like to point out that Education, Leadership, FNP, ACNP are all broad Advance degrees. They teach general concepts; Education, Leadership/Management, Preventative care outpatient and Acute care inpatient. Where you choose to specialize into is your choice. It would be nice for programs to focus more on certain areas or at least give you an option, but most don't when you pick a general degree like these. The rest is basically on the job training (Ex: FNP in urology or MSN in management working in a long term care setting or in nursing politics opposed to a hospital management setting ). Specializations lye in things like Peds NP, NNP, Cardiology NP etc. But I wouldn't base your decision on that.

Good luck!

alyssatgeorge · Aug 9, 2013

Thank you both! @mjh11rn--How are the classes at WGU set up? Is it a lot of forum postings, discussion, etc. Or papers and presentations? Any quizzes? Do you like this style of learning?

I am interested to know what other jobs we could get with this degree....other then being a teacher or educator in hospital? I am excited about potentially starting this program soon, but like I said want to make a good choice in both the degree path and school choice. I wonder if later on we decided we wanted DNP, would classes from WGU transfer to other Universities?

Another thing I am skeptical about it the pay. While I realize you don't go into education and teaching for the money, I would at least like to go into it knowing I would get some what of a pay raise with a Master's Degree.

Good points on specializations-my area is Pediatrics....it is what I know and love.

Entravel · Aug 10, 2013

To answer your questions:

1. The classes are all online (excluding practicums).

2. Lots of papers, projects and tests (which you can either take at a testing center or they will send you a webcam to take at home) Not many forums or discussions and no group projects (yea!)

3. I love this style of learning. I can move at my pace, when I need and want to.

4. Teacher, educator, like llg said staff development, unit educator, supervisor (and other management positions due to just having the MSN), research (of course in-depth you would need to get your PhD but then that would open up even more doors), charge positions and you can even look into some educational opportunities in the community and within nursing politics.

5. You'd have to contact the universities your interested in to see, I asked a similar question on another thread here titled PhD or EDD and got some great responses. Someone even recommended a school where you can get a DNP without being an APN.

6. As far as pay goes, potential in the hospital, management or politics you would get a raise, but generally people take a pay cut with a MSNed. So it really comes down to what you want and what's going to work for your life.

There are a lot of good forums on here where you can continue to get some other answers from people that have asked similar questions.

Your very welcome! Good luck!

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2013

Have you investigated whether or not each program will prepare you for the type of work you want to do when you graduate? A lot of MSN in Nursing Education programs only teach about teaching in an accademic setting. Essentially, they teach only about being undergraduate college instructors. They base their entire curriculum on the National Leagure for Nursing standards/guidelines for college undergraduate teaching and ignore everything else. They completely omit any content related to the field of Nursing Professional Development -- which is its own specialty, with its own official Standards of Practice and ANCC certification exam, and its own professional association (ANPD -- Association of Nursing Professional Development).
As a Nursing Professional Development specialist, this is a big complaint of mine. A significant portion of "nursing education" occurs in the workplace and schools of nursing that claim to prepare nurse educators are failing to provide the necessary content for folks interested in that branch of nursing education. I have precepted several students in MSN Nursing Education programs for their practicum experiences. I have to start from scratch to provide them the content they need -- content about staff development, inservices, continuing education, preceptor training, new grad transition programs, etc.
Talk with the people from the 2 schools that interest you. Find out what opportunities there are in their programs to learn about Nursing Professional Development (NPD)-- and not just undergraduate academic education -- in their program. You might find that one offers you more of what you are really looking for than another.
Good luck. Please let me know what you find out. I am trying to find schools that include NPD content in their Nursing Education Programs so that I can recommend those programs to prospective students looking to practice in that field.

So where did you go to school? Just curious....

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 12, 2013

So where did you go to school? Just curious....

I don't have an MSN in Nursing Education. My MSN is in a clinical area (Perinatal Nursing with a minor in Nursing Administration and electives in Nursing Education - 52 credit hours, 17 individual courses I think it was). My clinical experience was in NICU. I also have a PhD in Nursing, focusing on Research Methods, Philosophy, and Theory. I have 26 years of Nursing Professional Development experience -- and NPD is what I am certified in.

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2013

I don't have an MSN in Nursing Education. My MSN is in a clinical area (Perinatal Nursing with a minor in Nursing Administration and electives in Nursing Education - 52 credit hours, 17 individual courses I think it was). My clinical experience was in NICU. I also have a PhD in Nursing, focusing on Research Methods, Philosophy, and Theory. I have 26 years of Nursing Professional Development experience -- and NPD is what I am certified in.

Are you aware of any schools that do offer more curriculum designed for Nursing Professional Development? You are correct that the focus in the curriculum is more toward the undergraduate programs. I do not have a problem with that per se, since that is what I wish to do, teach new nurses. I would, however, like an opportunity to obtain a post graduate certificate in nursing professional development, if there ever is such a thing. It appears you have gained all of your knowledge and expertise re: nursing professional development through your many years in that speciality. I did visit the website for the association of nursing professional development and saw the textbook for the recommended curriculum. To your knowledge, are their any schools using this textbook?

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 12, 2013

I am not aware of any program that focuses on the Professional Development Specialty. My "goal" is just to get current Nursing Education Programs to include it as a part of their curriculum. What most of us have done is get that knowledge through Continuing Education activities ... most of which offer Continuing Education credit ... things like conference, workshops, etc. I think it is a real shame that academic educations don't recognize the NPD specialty as being needed.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 12, 2013

Although a bit limited, most of my classes through Walden's MSN Ed program have included a bit about professional development. This is the old program though, so I'm not sure what the revamped program includes. Even though I'm interested in teaching undergrad, I do wish there was more information, even if it were an elective course, about professional development.

trishmsn · Sep 11, 2013

I am brand new to this site (this is my very first post, in fact!) but I graduated with my MSN-Nursing Education a few months ago. I am quite happy with my WGU expereince, and feel that a LOT of the satisfaction was due to my excellent "mentor"....basically, the person who guides your progress and checks in with via phone once a week. It took me three calendar years (5 terms) because I took one term (six months) off due to a family emergency, and had another term where I barely did anything to progress. The admission assessment is to ascertain that you can read, write, and do math at a graduate level. I used two computers, so I could look stuff up on the spare if I needed to! As long as you had easy "B''s or better for your BSN and can write well, you should be fine. There is a TON-PLUS of writing....!

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 11, 2013

I graduated from Excelsior and very happily so. I didn't find the curriculum to be focused completely on being a college teacher. In fact, I thought it was very well balanced. You create your own Capstone project so you can work in area you wish. It is an MSN with three areas of speciality; informatics, education, and leadership. It is a great program and also one of the cheapest you will find.