Need help to decide for MSN

Nurses Career Support

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Hey all,

I will have to join MSN by Fall 2010 because i am in F1 status and my OPT ends by may 2010. Now i am confused about MSN choices. I would love to do Nursing Informatics but I do not see many job options & they usually do not require masters degree in informatics for informatics job, same situation with management positions as well. I am not sure about job market for NPs. I would like to do FNP but i wanna make sure about job market first. Being an international student, i wanna make sure that I am heading towards right direction in my career here in the USA and plan accordingly for visa status in future.

Can anyone please suggest me or encourage me about NP programs ?? I am doing some research and its not long time left for me to start applying. Please help.

Regards

Riti

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When it comes to FNP, my question to you is; do you plan on doing your program online or in the classroom? There are many excellent online schools to choose from ex: The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. The offer an MSN with a focus in family nurse practitioner. Indiana State University also offers an MSN with FNP. University of Alabama, St. Louis University, Ball State University. Those are just a few to name that offer MSN in FNP online.

If you would prefere to attend class vs. online then it will not be hard to find a university that offers MSN with a focus in FNP. Whatever state you choose to live in will most definetly have schools available. Please note that most online schools do not require a GRE where as other schools that you would attend do require the GRE.

As far as the job market is concerned for FNP, it is excellent. I'm sure you will have some areas that finding a job may be hard, but with the influx in patients, baby boomer etc. doctors do not have time to see all these pts. FNP perform the same duties as a physician they can prescribe medication, diagnose and orders tests, under some restrictions. The future is very bright for FNP. Be aware though, that if you want to work in the hospital then you may want to go for the Adult Nurse Practitioner, or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ICU) because they can work in the tertiary setting, where as a Family Nurse Practitioner works in primary care settings. I have seen FNPs work in the hospital, but from what I have been hearing, only ANP,or ACNP, can legally work in the hospital. Each one has many schools online and campus that offer these degree focuses.

You also mentioned informatics. University of Phoenix offers an MSN in informatics, and no matter what having your MSN will never hurt you to find jobs, it will only help you!

Another choice to get your MSN, where the job market is in high demand is nurse educator/instructor. We are aching for nurse falculty. Many schools offer an MSN in nurse education both online and campus.

Good luck to you, I hope this was helpful:up:

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There is also a CRNA option if you hold your masters. goodluck on becoming a NP you can do it!

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Specializes in CTICU.

The job market depends where you are. You need to investigate that for yourself. Ask at the hospitals/clinics. Check if they are hiring. Look for job ads. Etc.

With regard to specialty, I don't think anyone can advise what you will like. Just make sure the job you're planning for requires a masters degree if you're hoping to apply in EB2 for PR visa.

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What are your professional/clinical interests? (Besides staying in the US, that is ...)

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Specializes in ICU.
What are your professional/clinical interests? (Besides staying in the US, that is ...)

I feel that it is her/his main goal but there is nothing wrong with that. As we all know that this country was built on immigrants. I am pro anyone who is willing to work hard in this country to build it and make it stronger. We have many citizen that I wish I can send outta of here and bring in their place an enthusiastic, educated and energetic immigrants. Just imagine how much better this land would become!

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Thank you all for your reply.....

I have decided to get in to MSN program and decide my specialization after a semester. Most of the schools first admit as general MSN and specialize after core courses. So i am giving myself some time to decide. Thank you all again for positive responses.

love ya'll

riti

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