questions about MENP

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Hi all!

This is my first post so sorry if this isn't in the correct section--not really sure where I should have posted it. anway.. long story short I have my BA in psychology and currently have been working as a scribe in the ED for two years. I currently have two plans in place: get my ADN and then straight after turn that into a BSN or do an accelerated BSN program. Today at work, however, I was working with a physician who I get along well with and he mentioned he thinks I should just go straight into a masters entry program in nursing since I want to get my masters one day anyway and it would cut down on time and schooling. As of right now I want to be an ER nurse and then later down the line become an NP. SO here's where I have questions.. if i were to get my MSN i've found that a lot of programs require to to select a speciality when you apply.. I would probably choose the general nurse practitioner. but (this is probably a dumb question) when i graduate with my MSN do I HAVE to be a NP? Can i work solely as an ER nurse for, say, 6 years and then get a job as an NP? do you find there's a benefit of getting my MSN right off the bat? or is it better just to have my BSN for a while and then go back to school when i want to be an NP?

the MD kind of made me re-evaluate my whole career plan haha so now i'm not sure what to do and any input would be much appreciate. thanks!!

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

What do you mean by "general nurse practitioner"? You can get an MSN in variety of areas such as nursing administration, nursing education or nurse practitioner, informatics etc. if you were talking about those direct entries masters programs not all of them are for nurse practitioners. Many of them are direct entry for nursing which means you would be an RN with a masters degree. If you do get a new nurse practitioner degree it is not recommend that you work as a registered nurse if you're a nurse practitioner especially in areas such as the emergency room. You would be held to the highest level of education that you have.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

An MD does not have an MSN so how would he/she know this is a good fit for you? I would inquire what he knows about getting an MSN and what career options are available. Maybe talk to an RN with an MSN and find out more about it before committing to it based off what an MD told you at work.

As far as "better" or "worse" there is not one answer. I am working on my MSN and I have been a nurse 10 years. I think in the MSN world it helps to have been a nurse as I have built a proven base to grow on. I am not going to be an NP..I am getting my MSN as clinical nurse leader.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Your thread has been moved to the Nursing Schools / Colleges forum where the other school specific discussions are. We hope you will receive additional responses in this new location.

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