Need your advice ... MSN Ed right for me?

[NurseFL]

Hello everyone,

I love reading threads on this site! I am currently going crazy trying to figure out what MSN degree is right for me and would greatly appreciate your insights.

I have been a nurse, BSN for 2 years working in a busy OB unit. We have Mother/Baby, NB nursery admissions & Antepartum. I also work in NICU Progressive when needed. I know that it's time for me to get a higher education. I love what I do but something is missing. With high patient loads, tasks & excessive charting, I don't have enough time to teach my patients which is the favorite part of my routine. I enjoy working with students, helping floats & other staffs with charting & tasks. I am always looking up protocols & ensuring I practice by guidelines. Therefore, I am thinking that MSN in Ed might be right for me.

My concerns are: with just 2 yrs of exp, am I ready for grad school? Would I have enough exp. to teach OB? What are my chances of getting a FT job considering my level of experience. I considered the Women's Health NP Program but am not sure if this is right for me. I see myself being a teacher where I can be off on nights, week-ends & holidays so that I can be with my family.

Thank you in advance for your time!

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you keep working as you go to school, you should have enough clinical experience to teach with no problems/questions. Right now, you may have enough experience -- but it's kind'a borderline.

You might also find Nursing Staff Development a good career path for you -- which is something you could do with the MSN in nursing education. It would keep you closer to the clinical practice arena while also giving you the teaching opportunities and better working hours.

[Moogie]

I have been a nurse, BSN for 2 years working in a busy OB unit. We have Mother/Baby, NB nursery admissions & Antepartum. I also work in NICU Progressive when needed. I know that it's time for me to get a higher education. I love what I do but something is missing. With high patient loads, tasks & excessive charting, I don't have enough time to teach my patients which is the favorite part of my routine. I enjoy working with students, helping floats & other staffs with charting & tasks. I am always looking up protocols & ensuring I practice by guidelines. Therefore, I am thinking that MSN in Ed might be right for me.

My concerns are: with just 2 yrs of exp, am I ready for grad school? Would I have enough exp. to teach OB? What are my chances of getting a FT job considering my level of experience. I considered the Women's Health NP Program but am not sure if this is right for me. I see myself being a teacher where I can be off on nights, week-ends & holidays so that I can be with my family.

Re: your amount of experience---how many births per day does your facility average? Per weeK? Month? Compare it to that of what you might have if you worked a very quiet OB floor. Obviously, three births per day gives more experience than three per week. So it isn't just a matter of time. But let's say you're really busy---and working through two more years of school. That's even more clinical experience and expertise to bring to the table as an educator. I think you would do well!

Just one word of caution: being an nursing instructor does not always mean weekends, evenings or even holidays off. As more non-traditional students join the ranks, schools will be forced to offer Saturday, maybe Sunday clinicals;

Lastly, you can either go for a WNP now, and then go back for a post-master's certificate. You could also do the opposite, tale the NE path now and a post-master's in women's health.

[NurseFL]

thank you for the advice ... anyone know what the starting pay for Educator is?