RN-MSN Online specialties options

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · May 26, 2020

I start my MSN in education program next month. Although I have no desire to work in the education department per se’, I’m pretty sure I’ll start out there just to show that I’m a competent educator not just in theory.

My goal is to be part of a simulation team not only in the education department, but on the actual units as well. Basically, I plan to be a visible resource to those transitioning from ‘office’ nursing to a more hands-on role of patient care.

My organization (due to COVID-19), suspended it’s outpatient clinics and brought all of those nurses into the main hospital. Many of them are so afraid and anxious because of a lack of patient care skills. I plan to be that educator to help bridge the gap by re-introducing “real nursing” (as I’ve heard it being described lately) to those being displaced as our organization’s outpatient clinics try to move permanently to telehealth.

I’m actually contemplating making my capstone project reflect something like an on-the-job refresher course in nursing. This works perfectly with my background as a med-surg nurse.

pro-student · May 29, 2020

CONGRATS on deciding to continue your education. Since it seems like you're still very undecided about what direction you want to take your career, it might be wise to start out with completing a BSN program. This will give you a lot more options if/when you decide to pursue your MSN. It might also give you a good opportunity to become antiquated with some of the different paths in nursing and clarify your goals further. The things you mentioned you didn't want to do would exclude most MSN specialties (community health is the only one I can think of that you didn't rule out) and the few you mentioned generally don't require a MSN. A masters is a big investment of time, money, and energy and it would be a shame to misdirect those resources without some realistic goals or a plan for how you hope that investment to pay off.

Enarra, BSN, RN · May 30, 2020

I’d go the BSN route first as it buys you time to think about what specialty to do. While opening up other opportunities. Unfortunately there’s no generic masters LOL.

I am a new MSN nursing informatics student for fall 2020. I got my Associates 8 year ago and BSN 5 yrs ago. I thought I was going to become an NP just like most of my classmates but as I worked I learned that what I liked doing is learning new software and showing others. I am good with computers and became the go to person on my unit for anything computer related that they didn’t want to call IT for. Best of luck

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · May 30, 2020

33 minutes ago, Enarra said:
I’d go the BSN route first as it buys you time to think about what specialty to do. While opening up other opportunities. Unfortunately there’s no generic masters LOL.

I am a new MSN nursing informatics student for fall 2020. I got my Associates 8 year ago and BSN 5 yrs ago. I thought I was going to become an NP just like most of my classmates but as I worked I learned that what I liked doing is learning new software and showing others. I am good with computers and became the go to person on my unit for anything computer related that they didn’t want to call IT for. Best of luck

Actually, yes, there is a generic masters. But for the cost, it is cheaper to get a masters with a specialization. ?

https://www.chamberlain.edu/academics/nursing-school/master-of-science-in-nursing#accelerated