MSN Degree major? Does it matter which one you pick?

Nesher, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2005

You are totally overlooking an MN degree... whole different ballgame.

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 9, 2005

Can you elaborate on the MN degree? All I've been seeing around are MSN programs, not MN......can you explain what's the difference between the 2?

Nesher, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2005

An MN degree is more focused on the leadership aspects of the advanced practice role. That said I will also say an MN is less focused than an MSN /NP degree as the nurse is offered the chance to explore themselves, nursing and their own interests instead of a particular direction such as family health.

I cut the next section from the website of the school I attended.

"The program focus is on leadership in practice, research and education. The core curriculum includes nursing research, analysis of health systems, health policy, health disparities, ethics and aesthetics. Students pursue scholarly inquiry by completing a project. The curriculum has a strong emphasis on mentoring with faculty and in fieldwork placements. Students are admitted each fall within a cohort model and in the second year direct their own fieldwork with populations of interest with emphasis on professional development and leadership training."

My fieldwork allowed me to explore oncology nurse grief through an association and investigation with hospice, looking into labrinyths for grief therapy and a trip to London. In London, I and 8 other MN students delved into our areas of interest. In my case I went to King's College Hospital and spent several days with their pallative care team ( a much different concept in England) as well as a day at the Princess Alice Hospice. We also met Nurse Researchers and professors from several Universities for in depth discussions concerning their research, our research and an introduction to the education system for nurses in the UK, as well as several lectures that provided concepts to broaden our minds and thoughts on the English health system.

While an MN degree may be culminated in a thesis or project - this doesn't limit one. I went through a "project" program, but did an original research study which included the process of going through the IRB Human Subjects Division.

One of the best aspects of this degree I attained where the class discussions - such a wealth of knowledge and a free flowing passage of ideas - it was very stimulating and intellectually fascinating - and it is the part I miss most having now finished.

I think if I were to compare an MSN and an MN degree one of the huge differences is this- the MN degree is much more abstract - the MSN concrete, so it depends how you like to think and what you want to do with your education.

I was turned off to the idea of an NP degree as I wondered what would happen if I didn't like the focus I decided on. Or what if I got bored in a couple years? Kinda stuck. With my MN I have many directions to head, CNS, Nurse Educator, Staff Development, Nursing Professor, Research, Management - it is pretty broad and only limited by your own desires.

elkpark · Mar 10, 2005

The MSN programs do prepare you for a specific role (and, often, a specialty within that role) -- you cannot complete an NP program and then decide you'd like to try being a CNS or CNM or CRNA (or vice versa). The choice of major is v. important, because you're locking yourself into a clinical area. Before you start a graduate program, be as sure as you can that this is really what you want to do for the long haul ...

In addition to the majors you noted, there are also programs offering majors in nursing education and nursing administration (and probably other majors I'm not thinking of or not aware of ...)

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2005

You can however, do an MSN and then do a post-masters certificate for the NP, CNS.

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 10, 2005

Thank you for the replies. I have thought about the route that Trauma brought up. But even general MSN programs are hard to come by. And I did a google search of MN programs and can't really find any in my area (which is the NY-NJ-CT area). I'd have to research that MN route though. I do like the idea of having my options open. Thanks for the input though.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2005

I'm doing the MSN with a concentration in management and leadership and then (fingers crossed) may do a post-masters certificate for the CNS.

elkpark · Mar 10, 2005

I was turned off to the idea of an NP degree as I wondered what would happen if I didn't like the focus I decided on. Or what if I got bored in a couple years? Kinda stuck. With my MN I have many directions to head, CNS, Nurse Educator, Staff Development, Nursing Professor, Research, Management - it is pretty broad and only limited by your own desires.

I am not disagreeing with anything that you say, but would just like to point out that one has just as many options with an MSN degree -- it is only in the area of clinical specialty/expertise that you are locked in. I am a CNS in child psych nursing, and, with that degree and certification, have worked over the years as a child psych CNS (child psychotherapist, in both inpatient and outpatient settings), taught nursing as a full-time faculty member, been a member of a psychiatric consultation-liaison team in a big teaching hospital (we worked everywhere in the hospital except the psych units), worked in staff education & development, and have turned down plenty of opportunities to go into nursing administration (because I'm not interested). And, of course, if I really want to do research, I can return to school and get a doctorate, same as anyone else.

I am not familiar with MN programs, and am not criticizing them in any way, but just want to clarify that one is not "stuck" in one role/option with an MSN.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 10, 2005

In many geographical areas, a CNS job does not require Master's Degree that had a CNS role track. It is often possible to practice as a CNS with a master's in the clinical specialty that has an educational and/or leadership focus. Some CNS's even are NP's. It all depends on where you want to practice. If your area of the country has programs that specifically prepare CNS's, then that specific degree has probably become the standard for that area. However, if you wish to practice in a region where such a Master's is not available, then employers may hire you as a CNS with a related Master's (same clinical area plus maybe leadeship and/or education courses).

That is the case where I live. There are no programs focused specifically on the CNS roles. Our CNS's have Master's Degrees in the clinical field -- and perhaps some other role focus. We then encourage (facilitate) their acquisition of the CNS role through orientation, inservices, conferences, etc.

It varies from state to state, city to city.

llg

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 11, 2005

I was thinking the same thing as Elkpark, when it comes to the MSN vs. MN. There really are no MN programs available in this area and like Trauma mentioned before, you can get a general MSN and then specialize, which sounds just like the MN that nesher is describing. But I guess I'd have to do a more in-depth search into this. I'd have to see what the requirements are for the area I live in. Thanks to all of you for your input.

mwbeah · Mar 11, 2005

The MSN programs do prepare you for a specific role (and, often, a specialty within that role) -- you cannot complete an NP program and then decide you'd like to try being a CNS or CNM or CRNA (or vice versa). The choice of major is v. important, because you're locking yourself into a clinical area. Before you start a graduate program, be as sure as you can that this is really what you want to do for the long haul ...
In addition to the majors you noted, there are also programs offering majors in nursing education and nursing administration (and probably other majors I'm not thinking of or not aware of ...)

I had two NPs in my CRNA class, you can do it, you just have to endure the entire CRNA program.

Mike