Rn-msn

Trauma Columnist · Jul 20, 2007

Sorry, I didn't do this route but would have considered it had it been available! Good luck.

JALEXSHOE · Jul 20, 2007

I just finished up nursing school and am planning to start an RN-MSN program in August. I want to be a nurse educator....teach.....Has any one else gone this route? Any suggestions or tips? Is this better or worse then the traditional MSN

I do not have particular experience, but can give some general experience perhaps...

How hard school will be will be dependent on you. It will also be important how you approach study, how much you need to study, and the method in which you learn. For some people, they rarely pick up a book, others spend hours... Also, how are you wired, would online or the traditional brick and mortar route work for you?

You will also need to consider where you want to apply. Some schools still require a GRE for entrance. You would need to look at entrance requirements, to make sure you meet the criteria of each school. Know that they can be very different.

Don't be discouraged, be armed with information. Don't be afraid to ask questions. In education you are as much a consumer as in any other field. Explore grants, especially for education, I know they are out there.

To actually look at class load, then you should be able to load the class schedule for the programs you are interested in online at the schools web sites. Most programs will have them laid out for you, but you won't know the workload until you are enrolled. It can be very dependent on instructors too. There are many part time programs if this is to your liking. You do not have to go full time.

Research, try to get references, and if you are working in the field currently, don't be afraid to network. For instance, if you are working in a hospital, ask the folks in the education department what their views are. If not, I would almost imagine you could contact them, and many would be willing to be helpful.

As with anything, it will be what you make of it. Nursing needs all the educators they can get. If this is what you really want, then it will go a long way in making it worth it. At the end of the day, once completed, you will have a Master's degree. And whether or not, you decide to stay in the field, you will still have that degree.

Good luck!