Sooo...What are you doing with your MSN?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology, Psych.

Hi everyone!

Just got the good news this week that I was accepted into the MSN program I've been hoping for. The university I was accepted into offers 3 tracks within the Masters of Science in Nursing Program: NP, clinical nurse leader, and evidence-based nursing. I'm thinking that I'm most interested in the evidence-based nursing track, because I think I'd like to go into research/clinical trials. This post, however, is intended to get some feedback from all of the Masters-prepared nurses out there. What are you doing with your graduate degree in nursing? What types of opportunities opened up to you when you finished your graduate studies? Where has your nursing career taken you, and what does your typical work day look like? I love floor nursing, but I know that I don't want to work med-surg forever, and I'd like to know what options are out there for Masters-prepared nurses outside of becoming an NP. Thanks for any and all feedback!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Mine is in education, and I'm teaching (adjunct) once a week at the local community college.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

My name probably gives it away!! I teach full time, have been teaching for 5 years and I love it. My masters is in nursing education, so that was my intent from the beginning. I work (that job) 3 days a week, but do prep at home (and may need to go in on days I am not teaching, if something is going on). I also work per diem in the hospital, and adjunct at my previous job. Weekends, holidays and summers OFF!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I'm curious ... what is the focus and what roles are the "target" for the track in evidence-based practice? I would imagine there would be a lot of overlap with their CNL track.

I've spent most of my career in Nursing Professional Development roles.

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I've worked in a wide range of clinical settings and roles in the clinical specialty of my MSN, and I've taught in ADN and BSN programs.

I, too, am curious about what an "evidence-based nursing" MSN track would consist of and prepare one for, that would be different from a CNL track.

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im still a pre-nursing student and wanted to eventually get my masters (i know, a long way off!)

im also curious about what a lot of nurses did with their masters

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

I want to get my MSN "just because"...but I can't justify the cost because I love my schedule now, I make enough as a staff nurse working 2 days a week to live and travel. I just don't know what I'd do with a master's since I don't want to teach (staff education is another story; I'd be up for that minus their cruddy schedule). Admin - bad schedule, too much nonsense to deal with, but it also interests me.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

I'm an NP and currently work in pre-admissions testing. I see patients who are scheduled for elective surgeries - I do their history and physicals, order appropriate tests (labs, EKGs, X-rays), interpret them, order consults if need be (cardiac, pulmonary, etc), and then I discuss difficult cases with the anesthesiologists who are my collaborating physicians.

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

Full time faculty in an ADN program..

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

Full time faculty in ADN program. My MSN is in nursing education and teaching was always my goal. I am also curious as to what exactly encompasses an evidence-based practice MSN.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology, Psych.

Thanks to everyone for their responses! I'd love to hear more stories of what people are doing with their MSNs. I've attached the description of the program of study. I also emailed my advisor to ask for some specific examples of what students have done with the evidence-based track after graduation.

The evidence based nursing track focuses on developing advanced generalist nursing practice in a focused area of study, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering life-long learning, and prepares students for the leading edge of health care knowledge and delivery. Students strengthen knowledge and skills in clinical decision-making, application of nursing interventions, and ability to critique and appropriately use evidence as a foundation for practice. In this graduate track, students study nursing as an applied discipline advancing their knowledge of theoretical perspectives for clinical practice, with an emphasis on leadership, the cultural, social and political context of health and illness, and quality improvement methodologies. Students are mentored in the enactment of leadership strategies to improve quality care in nursing practice through an intensive clinical practicum.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

worked in psych and as a supervisor in psych. just did the msn as a backup. a "just in case."

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