MSN vs PhD for teachers

[Swampler]

Hello all. I am thinking of going back to school with the goal of teaching nursing in a university. My question is if I should choose to do PhD over MSN? I’ve heard PhD can be beneficial if you’re looking towards tenure but I would likely be teaching/working part time not full time. I am concerned if I go back for my Masters I’ll have to go back for my PhD and regret not going all the way through the first time.

Any insight is appreciated!

[Null]

Hi,

A PhD will certainly provide you the broadest array of job opportunities but requires a substantially more rigorous investment in time, effort, and money. As you indicated in your post, you may find the MSN limits you to clinical track positions. If you have any desire (or think you will in the future) to conduct research, you should pursue a PhD. Some BSN to PhD programs are shorter in duration and credit hours than their post-MSN counterparts.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

As part of my BSN to PhD program I took a series of MSN-education courses including a practicum following around a nursing professor. Seemed like a lot of the professors that didn't have their PhD were working on it. Also, the ones who didn't have it told me of how they really feel at the bottom of the totem pole in respect much less potential for advancement. Every one of them told me they planned to return for either PhD or DNP.