Potential MSNEd student looking for any useful information

Trauma Columnist · Feb 7, 2007

Hi Kate and welcome. I'm an adult health clinical nurse specialist who works as an advanced practice nurse in a nephrology practice. I have an MSN in management and leadership and a post-MSN CNS certificate. One of our posters, llg, gives the best advice:

1. Decide first what your goal is...do you want to be a unit-based educator, an APN, or something else?

2. What is the job market for the job that you want? If you would have to change employers would that be doable?

3. Availability of the education that you need. I racked up over $40,000 in student loans with the BSN/MSN and post-MSN certificate. Is there someone to pay the bills?

4. Your earning potential and ability to change jobs if needed. WHen I first went back to school, I thought I wanted to get into management. Well, after I did, I decided that wasn't where I wanted to be. So...then I was left with a non-clinical MSN and I was still a staff nurse but a staff nurse with hefty student loans - lol. So...back to school I went.

5. Think ahead. What kind of positions does your hospital project that they will need down the road? That is where you want to position yourself if moving is not an option.

Good luck.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 7, 2007

I have several friends with their MSN focusing on education who have gone into staff development. Staff development jobs often pay better than school faculty jobs and can have better hours and working conditions. Also, some of us simply prefer to teach nurses rather than nursing students.

To learn more about the field of staff development in general, you might want to browse the Journal for Nurses in Staff Develoment, which is the journal for the National Nursing Staff Development Organization. That organization is an outstanding nursing organization that has lots of resources to offer. There are also books, etc. on staff development. I am sure any decent nursing or hospital library would have the journal and a few books for you to browse.

Oh ... and ... Thanks for the compliment, TraumaRUs.

llg

nurse_drumm · Mar 5, 2007

Kate,

You're not from Vermont by chance, are you? I know someone in a very similar situation, and her name is Kate as well..... Just being nosey.... LOL

LaeDeesNP · Mar 5, 2007

Nope...originally from Pennsylvania but living in Germany for now...:nuke:

12jude · Mar 21, 2007

I am currently in a MSNed program, if you have any program related questions.

fgoff · Mar 22, 2007

Hey 12jude,

I have a question for you? Thanks for the offer!

Has the MSNed been as accepted as the other disciplines for MSN?

I have applied for a spot in LUs online MSNed program, but seems like the nurses i speak with now are telling me to go FNP. I'm just getting conflicting information.

Thanks! fgoff

SoxfanRN · Mar 26, 2007

Many current MSNs will tell you to go the APRN route because that was the traditional way to go if you were not going to be a CNM or CNS. However, the entire purpose of the CNE certification and designation is to bring nurse educators up to par with other advanced practice roles. The AACN is now understanding that APRNs and CNSs cannot simply educate, design curricula, and be effective. To effectively educate, RNs must have the training to do so. Because of this, you will see many graduate programs specifically offering the MSN Educator track. I think we will also see a trend where schools will hire educators based on specific educator schooling.

I am almost done my MSN Educator curriculum, and I currently work in Staff Development. I agree that the Journal for Nurses in Staff Development is an excellent resource for those thinking about getting into this kind of education. Educating nurses and educating students are two different animals. Designing development programs and designing course curricula are likewise two different animals. Both are rewarding. I find both to be fun.

If you are interested, see if you can follow one of your Staff Educators around for a day to get a feel for what they do. Or, you can follow an educator in the college setting as well.

IRIS56 · Mar 28, 2007

Hello,

I am currently halfway through an online MSN-ED Specialization program. I am sure this is a wonderful route to take to teach AD or BSN students online or at the university. Although, many nurses wanted me to go with the CNS or NP route then to teach, I wanted a degree in nursing education. Therefore, following my desires I enrolled in a wonderful program all online. Paying for the classes as I go. The program is CCNE accredited. So I am sure you will need to examine all the evidence and make an informed choice based on your goals and aspirations. Good luck..

Iris56:balloons:

12jude · Apr 16, 2007

i agree with soxfan and iris56 regarding the msned vs np. however, another important aspect is whether you want to be an np. at the university i attend you can receive your np and certificate in nursing education. this is a great option if you want to be an np and nurse educator. the np program and responsiblities for clinical practice hours (as an np) after completing the program did not interest me; i don't want to be an np. what is it that you want to do? if you want to teach, the msned program may be the best suit for you. if you want to teach and be an active np then consider the np with the nurse educator certificate. good luck.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 23, 2007

I have a MSN-Ed degree and am board certified in Nursing Professional Development (Staff development). I manage the education department of a hospital and work as adjunct faculty for local university.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 11, 2007

I have an MSN in nursing education and manage the Education dept for a hospital. I also serve as adjunct faculty to a local university part-time. And I serve on the advisory boards for the local nursing schools (liaison between acute care and nursing education). Hope that helps.