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Discussion

MSN with the most versatility

I appreciate insight on this. I know each MSN (NP, CNS, educator, administrator, informatics, etc.) has a different role and really depends on the student's interests. But which MSN provides the most likelihood of employment in multiple job markets?

For example, in my current state, clinical nurse specialists are heavily used and have excellent job opportunities. In my home state? Not so much.

I am asking this because my spouse is active duty military and I want to eventually get my master's degree. His career determines where we live and I want to be able to put a hard earned master's degree to good use.

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    • Expert

    I'd say that the MSN with the most versatility is a CNL -- They are prepared as "advanced generalists" and are prepared to lead at the unit level by performing a variety of general functions with any patient population.

    The problem is that the original CNL programs were only available to people who were not already nurses - entering nursing as a 2nd career with a Bachelor's in something else. I am not sure how many programs there are that accept people with BSN's into them -- though I know there are some that do.

    With the CNL MSN as your graduate level foundation, you can supplement with Continuing Education courses and certifications if you need additional education for a specific role.

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    MSN in leadership and management would be the most versatile if you like education AND administration. I have done both fields with my MSN in leadership and management

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    • Expert

    lol - I'm going to be different and say go for the NP.

    I'm a CNS (adult and peds certs) and nope no way in the world would I do it this way. My MSN is in management and leadership and wouldn't have repeated that either.

    And...my husband is retired Air Force so I get the moving. Best wishes.

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    I would have to say Family Nurse Practitioner is most marketable. Clinical Nurse Leader not in my state or neighboring states, no programs even exist for this role. Locally CNS programs have been phased out by NP/FNP/PsychNP. NPs are recognized in all 50 states, where CNS some states do not recognize as APRN. Nursing Admin jobs are limited by number of facilities, (how many MSN Nurse Admins are needed for a hospital?) Nurse Educator jobs depends on if there are nursing programs needing faculty. I know FNPs working cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, as hospitalists, urgent care, primary care, and I even taught in a BSN program for 9 years.

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    I've been exploring this option as well. I'm leaning towards MSN in Management as I could still be on the floor nursing with that degree.

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    • Author

    I was thinking management briefly, but I really do not want the manager role. It would also be hard to work up the chain if I am moving every few years.

    I was originally looking to becoming a nurse practitioner and I think I may go back to looking into it. Every location we may get stationed in uses NPs.

    An eventual goal is working for the VA and have a decent amount of job openings for NPs on USAjobs.

    Thanks for all these helpful responses!

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    • Expert

    I agree that NP's are found everywhere ... and if that's the role you want, then by all means get an FNP. It is probably the most "geographically" versatile.

    When I was thinking of a CNL degree ... I wasn't limiting it to a CNL role. I was thinking that it was versatile in performing a variety of roles within the health care industry. A person with a CNL degree could get a job as a manager, staff educator, academic educator, case manager, quality improvement staff member, program coordinator, nursing supervisor, shift coordinator, staff nurse, research nurse, utilization review nurse, etc. For someone interested in inpatient nursing, those are the types of roles out there -- most of which can be filled by a CNL. An NP whose education is all geared to outpatient assessment and treatment is not as well-suited to those inpatient roles. (Though there are acute care NP's as well.)

    So I guess ... one decision the OP should consider is whether she is more interested in outpatient roles or inpatient ones? And which type of versatility is most important? Is it just geographic versatility that she is interested in? Or is she also interested in being able to fulfill a variety of roles?

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    I want to get my FNP eventually, my problem is that I'm used to my flexibility as a nurse leader (mon-fri) making my own hours coming and going as I please (freedom). As an NP I would have to work shifts where I have to be there with little flexibility to complete my day or cut it short when needed.

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    What would be a good MSN to get if I plan to work in corrections?

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    What would be a good MSN to get if I plan to work in corrections?

    In my opinion if you plan on staying in the clinical setting outside of acute care FNP is the way to go.

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