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Hello, I am trying to make a choice between two graduate programs and need some insiders' perspective. Basically, it comes down to this: The program at University of California San Francisco is a 3 year accelerated MSN degree. It would qualify me as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in advanced community health/international nursing/ HIV/AIDS. The Johns Hopkins program is a BSN- MSN which would qualify me as an Adult/Acute Care nurse practitioner, that would take about 3 1/2-4 years. While time and money are factoring into my decision; it is less important to me than getting the best education and the best preparation for my career. I have identified these concrete things about what I want to do in the future: 1. Work in Latin American and/or India and if I have to be in the states... with refugee/immigrant populations 2. Would like to work in a clinical setting such as a community clinic, public hospital or with an ngo where I could be involved with direct patient care as part of my job description. Would like to have prescriptive authority and feel confident to function at least in my clinical specialty (HIV/AIDS) without a physician. 3. It is equally as important to me to be involved with community-based initiatives such as advocacy, outreach, program planning, and fostering collaboration between ngo's, the private sector and the public sector. My ideal job would involve maybe 40% of my time in patient care and 60% of my time doing #3 (arbitrary %'s, but just to make the point that I would need both to feel fulfilled.) I have done quite a bit of research about the differences and similarities in the roles of a CNS v. an NP, but am still unclear about the real scope of these advanced practice specialties in the context of my career goals and which would be a better option for my studies. I have been considering many other factors and will continue- to but any light that can be shed on this question would be helpful. I need to make a decision by next Tuesday and am far from being pulled in one direction or the other! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this post and provide guidance.

As a prospective graduate student in nursing, I am currently researching various accelerated programs for individuals with non-nursing bachelors degrees. I am interested in programs that will allow me to obtain advanced education as a nurse practitioner in adult health with a dual degree in social justice/ public policy and administration.* I have not been successful thus far in finding programs that combine these disciplines and was hoping to obtain a contact who could advise me about the most effective way to obtain this education.* * I also wanted an "insiders" opinion of the perception of a Masters in Public health degree versus a Masters in Public Administration degree.* My current educational and professional background is in the field of Public Health and I seek a program that will allow me to combine clinical nursing experience with the ability to participate in international health- related public policy. My long term goal is to assume an administrative capacity in a non-governmental organization or other social justice organization but having the ability to work in a clinical environment part time.** I would be very grateful for any direction, contacts or advice about how I might work toward this objective.* Any ideas or comments are appreciated. Thanks.