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Discussion

MSN in what???

I've had my bachelors for a yr now and I want to go back to school for my master's. I'm just not sure what I want it in. What is the best way to go right job wise? How did you all decide what road you wanted to pursue? There are sooooo many options. I really need your help.:nurse:

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    It's good that you are asking such questions BEFORE jumping into grad school. Too many people make the mistake of starting grad school before they figure out what field to specialize in ... get half-way through or even graduate ... then change their mind. They end up with big student loan debt and a graduate degree that doesn't satisfy them.

    While you don't have to have a specific job in mind as a career goal, it really does help if you have a general direction. Start by thinking broadly ... and then narrow your thinking down as you gather some information about the possibilities. Talk to people about their jobs, read about different roles, etc.

    What patient populations interest you? Are you wanting to work with a general adult med/surg population for your career focus? -- or maybe a specialized sub-set of med/surg patients, such as oncology, neurology, ortho, cardiac, gerontology, etc.? Are you wanting to specialize in peds, OB, OR, ED?

    What health care settings attract you" -- high acuity in-patient settings? community health? schools? etc.

    What types of roles interest you? Do you like to teach? Might you enjoy management? Would a project-oriented CNS role interest you? Seek experience as a preceptor and charge nurse to help you answer some of these questions. Serve on unit or hospital committees, etc. Experiences such as these help you identify which advanced functions suit you the best, which helps you figure out what type of advanced role you might like. They also put you in direct contact with people who already have MSN's and can serve as mentors and "sounding boards" for you as you explore your options.

    There are some books out there on career planning and nursing. Browse a few online and maybe check a few out at your local library. (Any library can get just about any book through inter-library loan.)

    In short ... use the basic nursing process. Assess yourself and your opportunities. Diagnose your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Make a plan to get an education that will prepare you for the types of jobs that seem to suit your strenths and preferences the best. Go to school. Evaluate on an ongoing basis to modify your activities as needed.

    Good luck.

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    • Moderator

    Very good advice from llg! One of the reasons I'm not in an MSN program: don't know which "flavor" I'd choose at this point.

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    same here, lunah...but i'm seeking information re: MSN informatics...we'll see...i don't know which flavor as well...as long as i get a MSN to get into AF...i don't even know what kind of MSN they want so i can be competitive/marketable to them...hope somebody can answer this dilemma.

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    I'm most of the way through an MSN in nursing education. I chose that because I can still use it to go into many areas. Also, most programs have a post masters option, so if I want, for example, to become an NP, I can do post masters cert in that that would only include my clinical time. It also gives me a degree I can use outside of nursing should I ever decide to move out of the field. Lastly, I happen to really like education and love it for its own sake. It has taught me so much that I can use in my job now (ICU) in our preceptor program for example, and has shown me the importance of nusring advocacy and public health education. I would only choose a specialty degree if you know you have a passion for that area and will stay in it (a CNS in critical care, for example). The cost wasn't really an issue as I have great tuition reimbursement at my job, and was able to pay cash for the rest. I value it most for the personal abilities it has given me and will pursue teaching later, albeit at a pay cut. I'm looking at ways to use my skills on the internet and am developing several web sites now. Best of luck!

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    • Moderator

    This thread had been moved to the post-grad forum vs. the GN forum. Thanks! :)

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    I have chosen the FNP route. I feel it will offer me the widest range of options and in a changing economic environment, I want as many options as possible. I plan to add a post master's for family psych NP as well. I start in my FNP program on August 30th and really feel this is the right choice for me after much thought. This is my feeling unless you are really attracted to one specialty or one area go for the one that will give you the broadest number of options, you can always narrow your focus down the road. Good luck in choosing!

    Sue, RN

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    Well said medic 2033 and that is exactly what I am doing. I start my MSN in education this spring and it is a great base for future pursuits if I choose to go that route. I am also uncertain what focus as a NP I would be interested in and of course, I also love teaching. It is a great avenue for me to continue school and also have a great degree with options in the end.

    Kirsten

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