7starbuck7

I am really looking at Education. At Ball State they put both Education and Administration under "Leadership" and then you choose the role focus (Admin or Ed). From comparing the program to other MSN/Education programs the curriculum is very similar. http://www.bsu.edu/cast/nursing/article/0,1894,28331-4398-44716,00.html

I know I am not alone on this that is for sure. The idea of starting all over in a new career, more student loans, etc does not sound appealing. I am between two ideas right now...getting the MSN in Education (on my own, without commitment) or getting an Associate's degree in computer information systems, lol. Maybe I will do both! I like the thought of teaching in an RN to BSN program or an LPN program. Or being a unit educator. Or working on the computer side of things.... Thanks!

I don't know why I read "Clinical Nurse Leader"? It isn't any where on the site. I guess that is how you know you have been researching too many programs! Thanks!

Okay, nevermind, the school has confirmed this a MSN in Leadership with a concentration in Education. It is not a CNL program.

Okay, nevermind, the school has confirmed this a MSN in Leadership with a concentration in Education. It is not a CNL program.

Yes, the program I am looking at is online. Here is the description, now I am not sure it is truly a "Clinical Nurse Leader" program at all. Leadership Track Plan of Study (Educator or Administrator)Leadership Track Plan of Study (Educator or Administrator) Research Core NUR 607 - Data Analysis (3) NUR 604 - Nursing Research (3) NUR 697 - Research Paper (3) Nursing Core NUR 603 - Nursing Theory (3) NUR 605 - Nursing and Information Technology (2) NUR 610 - Concept Analysis 1. Health Promotion (3) (*45 hrs clinical) NUR 611 - Concept Analysis 2, Clinical Decision Making (3) (*45 hrs clinical) Role Core Role Focus (choose one option) Educator (9) NUR 620 - Curriculum (3) NUR 622 - Teaching in Nursing(3) NUR 626 - Program Evaluation (3) Administration (9) NUR 640 Nursing Administration Theories (3) NUR 642 Administrative Management for Nurses (3) NUR 643 Financial Management (3) NUR 672, Practicum - Selected Role (4) (*225 hrs clinical) * Clinical hours Total - 33 credit hours required for this track. http://www.bsu.edu/cast/nursing/article/0,1894,28331-4398-44716,00.html

I don't see ANY postings for a CNL in my research so far. Of course I find many positions for "MSN", but my concern is whether this degree would be considered for teaching positions. At this point I am looking at some other programs because I am not sure about this one. I don't know if this helps or not, but here is the course list Leadership Track Plan of Study (Educator or Administrator) Research Core NUR 607 - Data Analysis (3) NUR 604 - Nursing Research (3) NUR 697 - Research Paper (3) Nursing Core NUR 603 - Nursing Theory (3) NUR 605 - Nursing and Information Technology (2) NUR 610 - Concept Analysis 1. Health Promotion (3) (*45 hrs clinical) NUR 611 - Concept Analysis 2, Clinical Decision Making (3) (*45 hrs clinical) Role Core Role Focus (choose one option) Educator (9) NUR 620 - Curriculum (3) NUR 622 - Teaching in Nursing(3) NUR 626 - Program Evaluation (3) Administration (9) NUR 640 Nursing Administration Theories (3) NUR 642 Administrative Management for Nurses (3) NUR 643 Financial Management (3) NUR 672, Practicum - Selected Role (4) (*225 hrs clinical) * Clinical hours Total - 33 credit hours required for this track.

Hello, I have taken some graduate courses thinking I was going the NP track, but I don't think it is for me and I switched to an education track. I am all set to start in an employer sponsored MSN/Education program but the commitment is freaking me out (total of 5 year commitment). I am looking at a MSN in Clinical Nurse Leadership with a concentration in Education at Ball State. It is much more affordable than trying to do what my employer is offering on my own. However, the only info I can find in regards to the CNL is for direct-entry programs. I am a RN/BSN with 9 years experience. Is this degree one I could teach with or work as an educator in the hospital? Or is it a Master's for those that want to stay at the bedside? I have a friend that is in the program for administration and she seems to think it is just like a MSN/Administration (or in my case Education).

I graduated from an ASN program in 2000 and a BSN in 2007. I have worked most of my 9 years in nursing in adult ICU at a large, teaching hospital. I have changed departments a couple of times, worked float pool, some agency stuff PRN, etc. I am 31-years-old. I started my MSN in 1/2008 and have dropped out of my program twice (NP). I don't think I want to be a NP. I shadowed several and it just doesn't appeal to me. I think the pay is terrible for the amount of hours and responsibility you take on. I changed my major to nursing education instead. I am all set to do this MSN/Education thru an employer sponsored program but I am starting to chicken out because of the comittment (3 years in the program and 2 after graduation). I have never loved nursing. I do my job and I do it well. I get along well with my co-workers, the patients and the families. But I have never been passionate about it. But honestly I could leave the bedside and never look back. I have thought about completely abandoning nursing and going back to school for something different. I have thought about making a huge change in specialities (like moving to NICU or case management). I just don't know what to do and I feel like I am wasting so much time! Has anyone BTDT? Made a big change? Been in this rut? Any advice?

I have looked at CNS. I am concerned that I keep hearing they are being "phased out". Also, the role that I am familiar with them being in is not what I am interested in. I just keep fooling around, taking one class here and one there and not accomplishing anything!

Yes, I shadowed several NPs and it just isn't for me for a lot of reasons. My employers offers an on-site MSN in nursing education, but I have to commit for 5 years (3 for the program and 2 after graduation). I could do the program on my own for 22K! Or I found this program at Ball State and it would cost me next to nothing after tuition reimbursement and there's no commitment. But I don't know if a CNL/Education degree is "enough" to teach at a college? I am sure it is acceptable to be a nurse educator in a hospital.

I should add that I am a RN/BSN with 9 years experience. I am not a direct-entry student. The university I am looking at (Ball State) only offers nursing education under the CNL program.

All the threads I find are about direct-entry MSN programs. I am trying to find out whether this would be an appropriate degree for someone who wants to be a nurse educator in or out of the hospital setting. Thanks!

Hello, I have been all over the place with my Master's degree. I originally started out in a NP program, but after a lot of soul-searching I have found that is NOT the path for me. I am applying to a Clinical Nurse Leadership MSN program (with my specialization being education). Any experience with this degree? It is a little different than a traditional MSN in Nursing Education. Thanks!

So, with the case management, are you assigned x number of pts? What would be a normal case load? I am going to have to go for a few interviews to check out the salary. I made over 70K last year, but that is on weekend option plus one. I don't know if I can take the pay cut plus the driving. Thanks!

I am looking for a job that can fit in more "normal hours". My husband and I are so frustrated with our work hours. We both have to be at work at 6:30a and that is not working well with children and daycare (that doesn't open all 7a). Home care is one of the options I am looking at. I have been an ICU nurse for 8+ years. I need some info.... The jobs I am applying for are "RN Case Manager" jobs. What types of hours and salary am I looking at here? I also applied for an on-call hospice job. On-call from 5p-8a M-Th. Any help, hints, advice you can give would be appreciated.

I quit a NP program that was going mostly online (only the clinical classes met in person) to go to an on-campus program. I felt like the online component just increased the BS by 100%, lol. I am a cynic, but I think a lot of the theory classes are just BS. And I want to be taught pharm and patho in person and not just 100% case studies (which is what my original program was doing). My adviser told me the pressure is on to make their program online as well. It brings in more $ and costs less to run. I think we will see a shift to most programs being online in some capacity. The only people I know that have quit their jobs to go to NP school are those going full time and doing the program in two years. In my entire program there are only 3 people going full time. I am going ultra part-time, taking one class per semester and it will take me a total of 4 years to finish. I do not plan on quitting my job to do it. D

Where I live a lot of these programs are popping up as universities and colleges closed their ASN program. (medtech comes to mind). Yes they are accredited in the sense that you can take boards. But graduates are finding that the credits are NOT transferrable to 4-year colleges and universities. Not to mention the price tags on these schools are HUGE.

I have been a RN for 8 years, ASN 2000, BSN 2007. Adult ICU. I started a FNP program this summer. The programs around me require 1-2 years full time RN experience to apply for NP programs.

Thank you, that was very helpful. I am looking at practice acts in relation to NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA. Thanks!

Does anyone have a link to a site that provides a good summary of nurse practice acts by state? Trying to read mine is giving me a headache. I am trying to do an assignment..... Thx

I am working FT (three 12s) and going to school very PT (one class per semester). I have two children (ages 6 and 4). When I reach clinical, I will drop my hours to two 12s. The people I have met that are doing the program FT are either working PT or PRN and do not have children. GL

I do not think ANP will give you an advantage for jobs in a hospital. If you want to work in acute care, you should really consider ACNP. ANP or FNP, those are both focused on primary care. Like trauma said, so much of this is based on your location. Where I am, FNP and ACNP are the ways to go. GL

I think this thread is getting all off topic. This is about personal choices. I can't tell someone else what choice is right for them. I am choosing FNP because I am tired of 12 hour shifts, tired of working holidays, tired of shift work. Simply, I am completely burned out of bedside nursing. Yes, as I have said, I make good money as a RN, but at what cost? My mental and physical health, that is the cost for me! Can I really do this when I am 50? Money isn't everything. I really have to consider my quality of life in the long-term.

You definitely have to look at the big picture. I make good money as a RN (80K with no overtime) but that is because I work float pool with no benefits (no vacation, no health insurance). In our float pool you have the ability to make over 95K without working overtime. But this is very hard work--physically and mentally. Not something I could do for the rest of my life.