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Discussion

Specialization for MSN or Post-Masters

Hi all, I've been a member here for over three years and was very active for the first year or so, and have just been lurking since then. Just wanted to ask a question to those of you that are NPs (or are at least in school)-

Which is better, picking a specialty when pursuing an MSN (ie- Psychiatric/Mental Health, OB/GYN, etc), or getting a more general MSN (in this case, I am referring to an FNP which seems to have the largest scope of coverage, though on a less in-depth level), then getting a Post-Mater's certificate in a specialty?

I like the idea of both Psych and Adult/Gero focusing on Cardiology, but I hate to pick either and be pigeon-holed into a very specific job. I feel like getting my feet wet, so to speak, with an MSN as an FNP will introduce me to a little bit of everything, then I can decide for sure where I want to focus a few years later. I would like to get my DNP at some point, so I suppose an MSN-DNP program would be a good choice as well, and lots of places offer different concentrations within their DNP programs...

I hope I made myself clear. Any input is apprecaited. Thanks!

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    Your thought process represents mine before I started my FNP program 2 years ago. I was torn over whether or not to specialize. I have worked in Critical Care for 7 years now, and couldn't decide whether to do Adult/Gero Acute Care or FNP. On the one hand, the acute care role seemed like a natural extension of my nursing career, but I didn't like being limited in my population focus.

    One of the beauties of nursing is the ability to switch populations should you get tired of where you are. That is what ultimately led me to the FNP route. Although there are limits on the scope of practice, being an FNP is far less restrictive, and I truly enjoy being a jack of all trades. My job offers have come from a variety of areas including internal medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, pediatrics, ER, and urgent care. Had I chosen another path, I wouldn't have been given anywhere close to that amount of opportunity.

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    Hi all, I've been a member here for over three years and was very active for the first year or so, and have just been lurking since then. Just wanted to ask a question to those of you that are NPs (or are at least in school)-

    Which is better, picking a specialty when pursuing an MSN (ie- Psychiatric/Mental Health, OB/GYN, etc), or getting a more general MSN (in this case, I am referring to an FNP which seems to have the largest scope of coverage, though on a less in-depth level), then getting a Post-Mater's certificate in a specialty?

    I like the idea of both Psych and Adult/Gero focusing on Cardiology, but I hate to pick either and be pigeon-holed into a very specific job. I feel like getting my feet wet, so to speak, with an MSN as an FNP will introduce me to a little bit of everything, then I can decide for sure where I want to focus a few years later. I would like to get my DNP at some point, so I suppose an MSN-DNP program would be a good choice as well, and lots of places offer different concentrations within their DNP programs...

    I hope I made myself clear. Any input is apprecaited. Thanks!

    Have you taken some time to shadow a BO working in cardiology? Or psych? Or an FNP? (Remember that FNP is also a speciality though their scope is broadest).

    You may find what you want to do now is much different after some perspective from shadowing or going to NP school.

    Sent from my iPhone.

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