MSN-Nurse Leader

Specialties Management

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Specializes in School Nurse, Med-Surg.

I am looking for guidance on finding a mentor for my MSN nurse executive leadership degree. I am not sure what careers/ jobs exist for an RN with a MSN in nursing leadership. I have been an RN for 7 years, of which 4 year have been spent working on a med-surg unit and the current 3 years I have been working as a school nurse. I am not sure what I want to do with my MSN degree.

I am also looking for suggestions on picking a mentor for my 120 hours I need to complete. I do not know who (or job title) to work with. The nurse must hold a MSN and ideally in leadership.

I enjoy trying to figure out why a process has failed, and reasons polices and procedures are not being followed exactly as written. What kind of nurse leader does that make me?!

I look forward to hearing suggestions on finding a mentor, and suggestions for careers/jobs with a MSN nurse executive leadership degree.

Sincerely,

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Specializes in Psych.

The MSNs I have met are nursing instructors, directors of nursing departments, CNOs, etc. I mentored with the director of my unit when I worked as a floor nurse working on my BSN. I learned quite a bit from her. It sounds like you are on the right track and you are a leader. You will have to choose what interests you the most. Good luck!

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There are really a variety of degrees available for MSN. If you really like process and investigating best practices I would encourage you to check out Clinical Nurse Specialists degrees. While they are not usually a "manager", they are a leader. The pay isn't as good as say a director but a CNS degree does not limit you from being a "manager" of quality or something along those lines eventually. CNS really work on process and workflows. They are focused on integrating best practice. At smaller hospitals the manager may do this as well. Research all the degrees out there! There are lots of options.

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I will be finishing my MSN in Leadership and Administration in Dec. If possible, I would try to shadow a CNO. My main preceptor worked at the unit level but I got to shadow the facilities Director of Nursing. It was a wonderful experience and I learned a great deal! I gained insight into how a hospital operates and the roles nurses a different levels play.

Good Luck!

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