NP vs MSN

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

I have been told that getting an MSN would not be as valuable as nurse practitioner because NP is more flexible, because they are able to work as nurse practitioners and teach. So this is the best route to go due to the options available. I have no interest in becoming an NP and only want to teach, but am beginning to wonder if it is indeed a better route if I can still teach with that degree why bother to get an MSN?

Did I get the wrong advice?

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Not sure what you're asking -- NP programs are MSN (or, now, DNP) programs. Apparently you're talking about getting an MSN in another concentration besides NP; what other concentration are you considering (that you're being told would be less "valuable")? MSN in nursing education?

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

Sorry. Should have clarified. I was referring to MSN with an education concentration.

Thank you for pointing that out.

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Then the people advising you on that are, IMO, correct. The advanced practice degrees prepare you for a career in advanced practice and are also considered appropriate/adequate for teaching positions. The MSN in education prepares you for education-related positions but not an advanced clinical role.

However, if you are sure that you are not interested in an advanced practice clinical role, I don't see what the advantage would be to getting a degree that would prepare you for that.

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

Thank you. I will take this into consideration. Yes I am sure about teaching and you bring up a good point.

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