NP vs Masters in Nurse Aministration

[JGB25]

I am debating on getting a masters degree as an NP or in Nurse Administration. I have been a nurse for two years and want to further my education. What are the pros and cons of NP's and nurse administrators? From what I have read, there are aspects I would enjoy about each profession. I know several NP's who love there job and my CNO told me she loves her job and the pay is better than an NP. Of course money isn't everything. Hoping to get advance from both professions on this blog.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't think anyone here could answer that question for you. The advice I always give when someone asks a question such as this, is...if you don't know which direction you should go, then it's too soon in your career to make a decision. Once you've had more experience under your belt, you will likely know which direction to take, and won't need to ask strangers on the internet.

[JGB25]

People could say what the pros and cons are of their career choice. Before people make any decision they should research it and talk to people who are in the profession and have experience working. But you are right, I shouldn't have turned to a blog of nursing professionals who work in fields where I am considering working. I never asked anyone to choose for me. I asked for pros and cons of each career choice.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Pros: I'm ina better position to effect change for my unit, my patients, and the nurses with whom I work

Cons: it's a tremendous amount of responsibility, I'm never fully off the clock, I never feel like My work is done for the day, and I'm constantly feeling like I'm not doing a good enough job.

[elkpark]

People could say what the pros and cons are of their career choice. Before people make any decision they should research it and talk to people who are in the profession and have experience working. But you are right, I shouldn't have turned to a blog of nursing professionals who work in fields where I am considering working. I never asked anyone to choose for me. I asked for pros and cons of each career choice.

I think klone's point was probably that what one person might consider a "pro" or a "con" might not be the same for another person.

I agree that, if you don't have a clear idea of which role better suits you, it's probably too early for you to be committing to a graduate program. As you get more experience in nursing, it's likely to become more obvious to you which career path you would prefer and want to commit to.

No need to get snippy. Best wishes for your journey.

[JGB25]

Thanks, I appreciate your response.

[JGB25]

I never meant to seem "snippy". I feel like if I never would have said how long I have been in nursing this question would be viewed differently . A lot of nurses I work with struggle with this same question, regardless of how long they have been in the profession. I have talked with several people from both professions, I was just hoping to hear other people's view on their professions.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I agree with PPs, it really depends on what you want to do. The roles of NPs and administrators are so vastly different. Do you think you'd prefer diagnosing and writing orders, or planning budgets and completing performance reviews? Do you enjoy being in the charge nurse role? That may give you a sense of whether or not you'd like some of the more administrative aspects of nursing (making assignments, moving bed spaces, conflict resolution).

Like elkpark said, if you aren't sure what you want to do, I wouldn't spend a ton of time and money on an expensive degree. I know several RNs who accumulated a ton of debt getting masters degrees (both NPs and administrators), realized that they hated their new roles, and went back to being bedside nurses. Perhaps instead of enrolling in a graduate program, you could seek out opportunities to better understand your passions and goals (i.e. talking with current NPs and managers, taking on more charge responsibilities on your unit, getting involved in committees that work directly with nurse administrators, shadowing NPs in a specialty that interests you).

A word salaries: the CNO may make more than most NPs, but many managers and administrators do not. I'm sure you realize that you don't go directly from being a nurse with a couple of years of experience to a CNO; you have to work your way up through the ranks, which can take decades. There is a vast range of salaries for nurse administrators in different facilities and geographic areas, as well as a vast range of salaries for NPs in different specialties and geographic areas.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the above posters -- and want to echo adventure_RN's recommendation. No 2 people will see the pros and cons of each the same way. Your best source of information is yourself. Get some experience in both types of work by getting involved in professional activities that give you some management experience and some other experiences working in a more advanced clinical role and/or along side advanced practitioners. Monitor your reactions and imagine doing the various roles on a permanent basis.

Eventually, you will develop the self-awareness necessary to make a good decision for yourself.

Also, don't limit yourself to just those 2 role possibilities. There are lots of other options. Is there some special reason you are considering only those 2 options and no others?

[elkpark]

I feel like if I never would have said how long I have been in nursing this question would be viewed differently .

My response would be the same regardless of how long someone has been in nursing -- if you don't have a clear idea of what career path you want, you're not ready to commit to a graduate program. Like adventure, I've known a number of nurses who rushed into graduate school simply because they wanted to go to graduate school, and figured out after they had the degree (and the loans to pay for it) that they didn't really enjoy doing what the degree had prepared them to do. Then they were stuck with a degree and career path they don't want, and are trying to figure out what they need to do next (and how to pay for it) to get to where they want to be. Not a good place to be.

I see so many people in nursing who just want to go to graduate school because they want to go to graduate school. Graduate degrees in nursing lock you into a pretty specific, narrow career path and role. It's important to get it right. Best wishes.

[JGB25]

I am considering those two because I really enjoy the diagnostic aspect of nursing and I feel like an NP would allow me to continue what I am doing with a lot more autonomy. I enjoy patient care, but some days I wonder if it is something I will want to be doing for the next 20-30 years. I have asked and been given more charge nurse and administration opportunities and surprisingly have really enjoyed it. That is why I asked the initially question about the pros and cons for people who work in those current positions. Hopefully more time in the field will help clarify my decision. I appreciate all the responses.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

Ha!!! That's like asking what's better the color red or green. What do you prefer and see yourself as? That's the right answer. From what I've seen both make good money but have very different jobs. Pick what you want to do & that's the right answer for you. Good Luck!!!