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Discussion

Thinking about Grad School for Staff Dev.

Hey All,

I'm beginning to think that I need to go back to school and get my masters. My current employer will pay for 6 hours of grad school credit a semester which sounds pretty good. I'm a little discouraged in my current job and am looking for a new horizon so to speak. I'm not interested in being a CRNA..don't want to do H & P's all day either. I think I might really like staff development. So, what kind of masters should I persue? I was thinking Clinical Specialist...but not so sure. Our University provides a MSN with an emphasis in Nursing Management/Leadership...although this really isn't what I want to do. Can anyone give me some advice.

P.S. I'm also wondering what the starting salary will be about. And, how is the job market for this type of job?

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I think that the "Nursing Management/Leadership" MSN is the way to go for staff development. I would think that a Clinical Specialist would be more patient related than staff related.

Kris

  • Experts

Either the CNS program or the Management/Leadership track could work, depending on the specifics of the programs. Does either one include some content on education? ... or allow you to take an elective or two that would include education?

I've been in staff development for years and got my Master's many, many years ago. It wasn't called a CNS track at that time, but that's basically what it was. But I also got an official minor in Nursing Administration and took some electives in nursing education.

My advice would be to talk with people who live in your area who are in staff development. They are probably familiar with the local graduate programs and could tell you which is more suited for their line of work. They could also tell you about the local job market, salaries, etc.

New staff development instructors are usually disappointed in their salaries. The base pay range might be the same or slightly higher than that of a staff nurse IF you have a MSN, but without the shift differentials, overtime pay, etc. the actual pay is often less than that of a staff nurse. But you frequently get better working hours and more flexibility in your schedule. For many of us, that's a trade-off worth making.

At the higher levels of staff development (with at least a MSN plus several years of experience in education), the pay is often higher than that of a staff nurse.

llg

  • Experts

llg - you are so right on. I am interviewing this week for a staff educator position at the hospital where I currently work. Now, I'm a case manager which requires a BSN. However, new position states "masters strongly preferred." However, they are saying that I will take $1.50/hour salary cut! That is less than I made two years ago as a staff nurse. Plus, I wouldn't have clinical ladders which can add up to $5,000/year. What are they smoking? I am going to interview but unless they are willing to come up with the bucks, I will refuse it if offered. I did already have one interview with the nurse manager who is known in the hospital as being wonderful to work for and I told her that I would not take a pay cut and she was fine with that. We'll just have to see.

To the original poster - I am completing an MSN with a concentration of management and leadership and have had several master's courses on education. My only advice is to ensure that you get an MSN versus an MS or MA if you want to teach. I have a friend who has an MS in education who can't get into nursing education because she doesn't have an MSN.

My university offered three MSN tracks: Education, Administration and Advance Practice. I chose Education and am glad I did. The Admin is a good choice too, I think, for your goals.

I think that the "Nursing Management/Leadership" MSN is the way to go for staff development. I would think that a Clinical Specialist would be more patient related than staff related.

Kris

Our clinical nurse specialists have almost no patient contact. They do mostly research and staff development.

What other college courses can be taught if you have a MSN? Am I only able to teach nursing oriented courses? What do other professors have for credentials within their speciality? The reason I ask is that I've been noticing alot of health science majors. I think I would be qualified to teach these courses. Any info? I guess I'm a little confused on the position of a (4 year college) instructor. Most seem to have a PhD. Thanks.

hey all,

i'm beginning to think that i need to go back to school and get my masters. my current employer will pay for 6 hours of grad school credit a semester which sounds pretty good. i'm a little discouraged in my current job and am looking for a new horizon so to speak. i'm not interested in being a crna..don't want to do h & p's all day either. i think i might really like staff development. so, what kind of masters should i persue? i was thinking clinical specialist...but not so sure. our university provides a msn with an emphasis in nursing management/leadership...although this really isn't what i want to do. can anyone give me some advice.

p.s. i'm also wondering what the starting salary will be about. and, how is the job market for this type of job?

:rolleyes:

the fact that you state, "i think i might really like staff development," hints that you're investigating other options. great! no use spending hard-earned time/dollars/labor in a course of study that might not suit your future career goals. staff development departments vary on the graduate educational requirements for their nurse educators but most do favor a msn. the question lies with what focus? leadership/management? clinical specialization? nursing education? the fact that your employer will provide some financial assistance is a thumbs-up towards supporting your educational goals.

:coollook: before enrolling in a specific graduate degree program, investigate the following:

1. review various graduate degree curriculums to decide which programs will best suit your needs and your desire.

2. collect data from various staff development departments on their educational requirements for rns who teach. (i purposely didn't use the term nurse educator because in some healthcare facilities the staff development department and the nursing education department are separate).

3. talk to rn veterans who work in staff development for an heads-up on any other credentialing that staff development departments favor (i.e. national nursing specialty certifications, other graduate degree credentials---education, health education, specialty institute credentialing, etc).

4. contact the national nursing sepcialty organization in staff development for some feedback (surf the internet for the website).

:p i worked free-lance for a lt facility in their staff development department that was directed by an rn. my masters degree in my clinical specialty, clinical experience, specialty certifications all provided an impressive package. i also worked part-time at a 5-hospital complex as a nurse educator in a separate department of nursing and again, the same above package worked.

:) professionally, you will decide on what educational track will work for you but do your homewrk first so that you don't cut yourself short of the best package of educational /clinical specialty credentials that will work for you and enrich your knowledge base/skills.

:) i hope that i have helped you.

:balloons: much success to you and welcome to the family of staff development nurses!

What you are looking for is an MN - it is amazing how many nurses don't know what this is - it carries a focus in advanced practice - education and leadership. Sounds perfect for you - as it was for me!

My MSN is in Nursing Education. I know that a lot of what I learned in grad school coincides with the requirements for certification in Staff Development (ANCC). Good luck! I do not believe ANY knowledge is ever wasted.

As for salary - that depends so much on location and local market. But my salary is about that of a nurse manager.

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