MSN What should I choose

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 27, 2005

No one can answer that question for you. You need to assess your interests along with your strengths and weaknesses and the options available for you. There is no 1 right answer for everyone.

If you don't know where your particular interests and talents lie, you might need to get a little experience in each field in order to find out. As you get that experience, interact directly with people who have MSN's in those fields, go to conferences in those fields, read the literature of those fields, etc. ... you will be able to better ascertain which one is the best match for you.

Good luck,

llg (ddd is my home account)

BETSRN · Mar 2, 2005

Still looking for advice on what I should get a Masters in, will finish my BSN in August and was thinking Education or Adult health

None of us can answer that for you. It is a personal decision. I would, however, get some good basic clinical experience BEFORE going on for a Masters. You need hands on skills to be an effective practitioner. Besides, you'll have a chance to make money, get some ideas as to what area you are interested in (it is wide open) and maybe even have your facility pay part or all of your educational fees for your classes.

You cannot be a good clinical educator without solid clinical skills yourself. How do you expect to teach others? Teaching what is in a book does not cut it when you are trying to show others how to do a skill. I have been a nurse (going to required inservices) for 20 years now. The most successful nurse educators are the ones who have had the skills and have been at the bedside performing these before they teach others. When I have to go renew my Code Blue every year, I learn well and can model the instructor who was an ER nurse before (and participated in many codes), NOT the instructor who has never done it and consequently teaches us nothing in the process.

Those staff that you are teaching are going to KNOW if you know your stuff.

You have years ahead of you. Do it right and you'll be a great educator, I'm sure.

sparkplug · Mar 2, 2005

well I appreciate your input but let me clarify. I was an LPN for 20 years before going back for a diploma RN in 1993. I have worked OB, ER and med surg tele.

\It is just recently I decide to go for my MSN, I finish my BSN in the summer and did not realize that I only need 21 more credits for my MSN. Education has always been my love but if I get my MSN in that is it too limiting. I love adult health and was also thinking about that, I do not want to be a CRNP.

But a clincial nurse specialist would be great.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 3, 2005

OK ... if you want to be a CNS, then focus on that. Which program will better prepare you for the CNS role? I suspect it will be the adult health one, but can't say for sure without knowing the details of the programs. Look at the specific courses, talk to the faculty, etc. and find out which program is more compatible with the role of your choice.

Also, find out what types of jobs the graduates of those programs typically get ... and what types of degrees CNS's in your area tend to have. Where I live, the local schools closed their CNS tracks several years ago. We often hire nurses with MSN's focusing on education for CNS roles because our CNS roles include a lot of staff development -- and those people with their degrees in nursing education can usually handle the job just fine. What is the situation in your town?

Good luck!

llg (ddd is my account at home. llg is my account at work.)