MSN options

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I am contem beginning a masters level program.

Forensic nursing

Nurse leadership

Nursing administration

Nurse educator

Forensic sounds great. Super interesting but what the **** kind of job/job market is there for that. The prospect of testifying in court is terrifying.

Leadership/Administration...seriously what's the difference

I dont want to be bedside forever so I need a degree that actually has a job market.Forensic nursing probably doesn't have a huge market.

Thoughts?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

What do you like to do? What you don't like?

What do you want from your career?

Do you want to go back to school, or you just want to get heck out of bedside for whatever it takes?

What kind of experience(s) do you have? Nursing and non-nursing?

What is your dealbreaker (please do not think "I just want to sit in office 9 to 5 M-F and grab $$$$$$ for that") Money?Work/life balance? Power of making decisions? Being a center of everything? Being a narrow expert? Job market? Easiness to move from one state to another?

Can you afford your Master's? Will you have to take another loan?

Think about all that before you make any decision. And if you just want out of bedside, there are opportunities to do that with no suffering through Master's.

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My MSN had a concentration in quality and patient safety.

Is there a reason why you are not considering a nurse practitioner program?

Management is a crazy job in healthcare, not many jobs in education, forensic???? there are probably no jobs either.

Also consider MPH, MBA healthcare administration (if you feel like business).

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Post-Grad Nursing Forum

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I am on my 2nd career. I had 6 years in social work/d&a

I was a mental health tech for 3 years and now a psych nurse for 3 years.

I do not mind bedside nursing for now, but I know it's not what I want forever

Where I live there are 5 local colleges with nursing programs-so education wouldn't be a bad gig.

I am so uncertain about my career trajectory I dont know what would be the best path for me. I want the most versatile degree though.

NP I am not considering because I am not sure I can handle the stress or a NP program with 2 toddlers in my house. And I dont feel comfortable with the pressure of being a prescriber.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
I am on my 2nd career. I had 6 years in social work/d&a

I was a mental health tech for 3 years and now a psych nurse for 3 years.

I do not mind bedside nursing for now, but I know it's not what I want forever

Where I live there are 5 local colleges with nursing programs-so education wouldn't be a bad gig.

I am so uncertain about my career trajectory I dont know what would be the best path for me. I want the most versatile degree though.

NP I am not considering because I am not sure I can handle the stress or a NP program with 2 toddlers in my house. And I dont feel comfortable with the pressure of being a prescriber.

If you like MH, wait for a couple more years till your kids grow up and go to school, meanwhile collecting $$$$. Then go to PMHNP, maybe combined with Ed. Tons of jobs practically guaranteed, good money, flexible, can also teach (with Ed), much less hassle with controlled substances than GP or many specialties. And you'll get a chance to do it all with zero additional debt.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Accidental double post

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Wait until you decide what you want to do and spend the time and money on yet a third career path.

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I am on my 2nd career. I had 6 years in social work/d&a

I was a mental health tech for 3 years and now a psych nurse for 3 years.

I do not mind bedside nursing for now, but I know it's not what I want forever

Where I live there are 5 local colleges with nursing programs-so education wouldn't be a bad gig.

I am so uncertain about my career trajectory I dont know what would be the best path for me. I want the most versatile degree though.

NP I am not considering because I am not sure I can handle the stress or a NP program with 2 toddlers in my house. And I dont feel comfortable with the pressure of being a prescriber.

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I think one of my biggest concerns is getting advanced degree and not having a marketable degree. I am unsure of what the options/jobs for the nurse administrator vs. nurse leader. I have an email out to the admissions director of the school I am looking into

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Most important is getting a degree that doesn't pigeon hole me and also doesn't have me stuck at the bedside WITH an advance degree.

Work life balance is huge. I want to be available for my kids.

I am leaning towards nurse educator-as we have 4 or 5 local colleges and I think this would create some flexibility in my scheduling and I could meet my kids needs.

I am exploring my BSN level opportunities. But, for some reason I am getting an itch to get my Masters. Even if I go one class at a time.

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Be mindful of "nurse educator." They do exist within hospital systems, but if you are considering acedemia, most institutions want a terminal degree. With a MSN you could teach a clinical, or possible be an adjunct, but these are both low paying. If you are thinking of a tenure track position at a University, an MSN will not get you there.

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