New ICU Nurse looking into MSN/APN options

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Hello all! I am a new nurse and am working in the ICU at a level II trauma center. One reason I took this job was to broaden my options for the future. I really want to pick the brains of some more experienced nurses and see what you think about getting an MSN/advanced practice license. Everyone says CRNA is the way to go, but I would really like to know about more options. FNP seems more accessible, but I don't know that I would want to endure the crazy hours and being on-call for physicians, etc. I guess I'd just like to know what you've heard about new advanced practice careers that may be promising. Thank you all!!

-Mindy from Texas

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Mindy,

Have you taken a look at the 'operational' advanced practice roles as opposed to the clinical care roles? These include areas such as administration, infection control, case management, supply chain management, quality, education, informatics, etc. These management/leadership roles require graduate education as well as related clinical experience. There are MSN programs related to most of these areas. I just recently heard of an MSN-Quality & Patient Safety program; their graduates are in demand.

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