Should I Get My NP or Masters in Education?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I graduated in 2015.

Worked night shift on a step down unit and then quit four months later because i couldn't manage my schedule with an infant, a toddler and a husband that works long hours. I basically can't work a hospital schedule since i have no family help with the kids.

Then i took a job in an outpatient psych clinic although (I didn't like psych) but the schedule was so flexible that i had to take it instead of being out of job. Now i have been in the same clinic for two years and for various reasons i might quit in few months.

This year I attended aesthetic courses and got.my injector certificates but was unable to land a job or training in that field yet. I wanted to go for a masters in nurse education or nurse practitioner. So I applied and got accepted in an adult primary care np program to start in Jan 2019. My question is, do you think that if I go into education it would be hard to get a job since I have limited experience as a nurse in the medical field? Do you advise for np instead. Sorry this was very long. I appreciate your help and time.

Dear NP or Education,

A masters in nursing education without relevant clinical nursing experience would make it challenging to get a job in education. Typically recent acute care experience is required.

Getting a job as an NP will not depend as much or at all on prior nursing experience because RN and NP are different roles. While prior nursing experience is beneficial to the NP, it is not a job requirement.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to

A Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!