Question about MSN vs. MS in nursing

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Specializes in Graduate student.

Hi---

Hope someone can assist me here. What is the difference between a MSN degree and a MS in nursing? I'm in a graduate program that offers a MS in nursing but one of my classmates said she interviewed for a job, she was told that the MS in nursing was NOT the same or as good as a MSN. Of course, our school says something different...

BTW, the school is accredited by the CCNE so that furthers my confusion.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

My school awards an MS in Nursing as opposed to an MSN, with the explanation being that the MS implies a heavier research component as opposed to a clinical-only MSN. This is merely what I've been told, though, and I've no idea how true it is.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

This is one of those things that varies from place to place. Back in the olden days, there was a definite difference between the two degrees. However over the years, the lines have blurred between the two and their curricula and requirements are not always different anymore. Some schools have clung to the "traditional" distinctions and others have not.

Traditionally, the MSN (BSN, DSN, DNS, etc.) degree was awarded by a professional school that was a part of a larger university, but had a lot of automony within that school structure to regulate itself. If the university had an "ABC School of Nursing" -- it was a professional school located within a larger university. Those degrees tended to be more practice-oriented.

The MS degrees with major in Nursing (and BS with a major in Nursing, PhD, etc.) degrees were offered by universities in which Nursing was just a department within that university -- just like the Dept. of English, Dept. of Chemistry, etc. -- and not a separate professional school with a separate Dean and separate regulatory committees. Those degrees had to meet the same requirements as the rest of the university and usually included more focus on research (not practice) and a foreign language requirement.

Some schools offered both sets of degrees -- with 2 different tracks. They had the BS, MS, and PhD for those interested in the academic side of nursing -- and the BSN, MSN, and DSN (or DNS) for those more interested in the practice side of nursing.

As I said, over the years, the lines have blurred and you will not find those clear distinctions anymore in all places. Some schools emphasize those differences a lot -- and others ignore them completely. So you will find some MS programs having dropped their foreign language requirement and having no more of a research than an MSN program at another school. And you will find some MSN programs that include a heavy focus on research. The system has morphed in ways to minimize those differences -- but you will still find them in some circumstances.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

...and by "MN" you mean "MS"?

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Specializes in Graduate student.

I was wondering that as well.

Thank you, both of you, for your responses. VERY helpful!!!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
...and by "MN" you mean "MS"?

OOps! Yes, I meant "MS"

I was typing so many degree titles and letters that I goofed. (Though I have seen at least one school that offered an MN -- a "Master's in Nursing" or some such thing.)

Sorry for the confusion. I have since gone back an edited my post.

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