Thoughts/opinions?

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Hi. I have been a lurker for a while and I find the information available here to be very valuable.

I am preparing to go to graduate school and am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or opinions on my potential plans. I am thinking of teaching at an ADN or BSN level. I have been a clinical instructor for an ADN program since August, and thus far, I am enjoying it.

My question is this: The school I am looking to attend offers a 12 credit post-masters certification in nursing and allied health education. To obtain this I would first have to decide upon a MSN focus. I am looking at the FNP focus while adding an additional semester to obtain the teaching certificate simultaneously. At this point in time, I'm not really interested in working as an FNP but I am thinking this will give me lots of clinical experience and knowledge that I can then take back with me once I have finished and am working in an ADN or BSN program. I also am thinking this route would allow me more opportunities once I do graduate.

However, this is going to be alot more work and additional credit hours. Is my thinking way off here? The school does over a new MSN focus of Clinical Leader with a concentration in education. It would be less credit hours, thus less time and less money, but then I'm limited to working in education.

Any thoughts or opinions from those who have been already been or are attending graduate school right now?

Thanks

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

If I were you, I would listen to my "gut" and go for the plan that makes you more marketable, even if it means considerably more time in school and expense. In the end, you will be glad you did. The role of Clinical Nurse Leader is in its infancy (experimental phase), and, as such is controversial, as many are disputing its need or usefulness. Who knows if this new role will ultimately "survive" or be marketable?

https://allnurses.com/forums/1023482-post1.html

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Thank you Vicki. I appreciate your input and the article link. I read it and I have now confirmed the route that I'm going to take. I'm going to stick with my first thoughts and apply to the FNP track w/the additional teaching certificate. It may take me longer and my student loans may be bigger, but it will be for the best.

Again, thank you for replying.

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