MSN Leadership - Is it worth it?

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Specializes in Nursing.

Hello Nurse Leaders,

I would like to ask - is getting an MSN Leadership worth it? Has it opened doors for you? What sort of role are you in, now that you have earned your Masters?

It's expensive and time consuming and want to make sure I am heading in the right direction.

I am currently an ER nurse, but have had opportunities to get involved in committee's and to work with Lean process improvement initiatives. I really enjoy the work - but not sure if I see myself as a Unit Director. Maybe more of a project manager?

Will the money I invest in earning my MSN make sense? I am in my 40's.

Contemplating the Leadership path (when I look at the curriculum, I am very interested) vs. the FNP route (which stresses me out to think of all the clinical hours). I am willing to go either route ... but seem to be leaning toward Leadership.

Just want to hear from other Nurse Leaders if it has been worth the journey - and what opportunities it has lead you to???

Thx.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Yes, it's definitely worth it as far as opening doors. It was a big part of why I got my first unit manager position, which has then allowed me to get a service line director position. At this point in my career, with my degree and my experience, I really could go anywhere in the country and get a manager, director, and likely a CNO position (which I have no desire or plan to do).

It doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive. I got my MSN from Western Governors University. I think it took me 20 months of very part-time work (in order to strike a good work/life balance, I ONLY did school work on weekends, so I averaged about 12 hours/week on school). I think that was around $12,000-14,000? It's paid for itself multiple times.

Good luck in your decision. Anyone can be a crappy manager. Being a GOOD manager is really hard work. It's the hardest nursing job I've ever done, and I carry my stress with me pretty much all the time. So make sure it's really what you want to do.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

OP: It also depends on what you want to do with your career and where you want to work. If you want to be in nurse management, obtaining an MSN will be well worth your efforts and the investment. Due to changes in healthcare, most organizations are leaning towards an MSN for nurse managers, while requiring BSN minimum at bedside. My organization started hinting and "preferring" Masters preparation for entry level management positions some years back. Now they are throwing money at current managers to return to school. Soon, they will require us to have an MSN (period). This of course, is not necessarily the case of all organizations, but the tides are turning in this direction.

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Specializes in none at the moment.

Yes, a Masters in nurse leadership is well worth the effort as it will open doors to any type of management position you are looking for unit manager, project manager, CNO, etc. I believe soon all managers will be required to have thier Masters degree. So, if your hearts in leadership it would be the way to go! I obtained mine through Chamberlain and its helped me tremendously.

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I think it's worth it. I finished my MSN this year and will probably ultimately end up with two masters degrees and a DNP (I'm still young...and will be working for a LONG time would rather just get the DNP soon-ish). I THINK my ultimate goal is going to be something senior executive level...so...as MSNs, MBAs, MHAs, MHSAs, etc become more common, I MAY need that DNP (and don't want to be forced to hurry and obtain it ASAP due to a role change).

I'm more than qualified for a unit manager job. I'm actually being considered for an operational management position that otherwise would not happen without my degree, my clinical experience and method of problem solving. I'm being considered over people with much more experience...

I went to an excellent school, but I went part time and made full use of the academic assistance my employer provides.

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Specializes in Nursing.

Thank you so so much to everyone for posting your thoughts and advice.

I have recently received a promotion to lead a project on my unit and can see there is a lot of opportunity for leadership at my hospital.

Did your MSN program require any practicum hours? How did you manage the practicum hours while working full time?

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22 hours ago, anne_marie_oregon said:

Did your MSN program require any practicum hours? How did you manage the practicum hours while working full time?

Yes, my program did. I very creatively arranged my work and school schedules. Took work with me for any down time between engagements with my preceptor which couldn't be filled by practicum project hours. I had a few weeks where I flexed and worked Saturdays to make up for my missed hours due to school.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

All the leaders in my organization have an MSN or MBA or MHA. Sadly, the FNP designation is starting to lose ground. I would steer clear unless being an NP is what you really want to do.

Congratulations on your promotion!

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Specializes in Leadership.

I agree with several of the other posters. MSN in leadership being "worth it" really depends on your career goals. I wouldn't let age, money or time stop you if you really want to be in leadership and advance. 40...you still have a long career ahead of you. Money...if you are open to opportunities you will have the ability to make more money. Time... its not as horrible as one might think and different programs offer different options. I completed mine over 3 years just taking 1-2 classes a semester while working full time. It is a commitment for sure but if you are willing to give up some of your free time its definitely worth it. It has opened a lot of doors for me and I don't regret it at all. Now I did have to relocate several times to reach my career goals.

Also, if you haven't been in a leadership position I would advise working in one for a bit before you commit to that path. It sounds like you are in a project leadership role now so that will be a good entry level management position to see if you want to make this your career. Its not all sunshine and rainbows.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

OP: Practicum hours are manageable when seeking an MSN in leadership degree part-time. My peers who have leadership positions and work five days a week usually perform their practicum hours at their jobs off the clock. So, basically he/she works 6 days a week. Others I know work less hours (0.6 FTE or 0.8 FTE positions) and fill the additional hours with their practicum activities. You will have to be flexible once you go to school and hopefully, so will your employer. My employer, like I wrote in an earlier post, is supportive of nurse leaders returning to school.

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Specializes in onc/nero/LTC.
On 9/24/2019 at 8:48 PM, anne_marie_oregon said:

Thank you so so much to everyone for posting your thoughts and advice.

I have recently received a promotion to lead a project on my unit and can see there is a lot of opportunity for leadership at my hospital.

Did your MSN program require any practicum hours? How did you manage the practicum hours while working full time?

Mine required 60 hours over 8 weeks. I did my practicum in the facility I worked at with the only other nurse with a MSN at the time. It was pretty easy for me to do while working full time.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
On 12/19/2019 at 11:24 AM, Nursie_C said:

Mine required 60 hours over 8 weeks. I did my practicum in the facility I worked at with the only other nurse with a MSN at the time. It was pretty easy for me to do while working full time.

Good point. OP: I should add that not all schools are alike. Some schools absolutely require that you not perform your practicum while at work and so it can be a challenge. Others allow you to receive hours if your work in a field aligned with the objectives of your degree. I know a DNP student who specifically choose his university based on the fact that he could perform his practicum hours while working. So, look at the requirements of the universities you are researching.

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