I've been a nurse for about 16 years. started out as an LPN, then RN and now I am in the BSN program. I plan on going on to the masters program.
Here's where the trouble starts. I'm spending a lot of money and hard work to get through this and this will probably be my last hurah so I want to make sure I don't waste all this hard work with the wrong choice.
I want to continue after the masters program but the only jobs that there is really a demand for is Nurse Practitioner. This is not really the career path I would choose but could someone tell me what other choices I might have?
It's not a matter of you being smart or not, but rather what information you have available to you - so don't worry about that part :)
Maybe this will clear things up a bit for you
Master's degree:
1-2 years post BSN, depending on structure and intensity of program (note: some CRNA programs are actually closer to 3 years, but almost all are more than two years full-time).
Master's degree covers:
NP
CRNA
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nursing Professor (assistant professor some places) at baccalaureate level
I totally agree with llg that it is a complete and total shame that nurses are not exposed to other career options in school. They get the community health, nursing home, and hospital rammed down their throats as if direct patient care is the only option for a nursing career. I am currently trying to educate myself regarding what I can do with my BSN and in which direction I want to pursue graduate education. Once again, nursing school failed me - options of NP, CRNA, and management were covered, lauded, stressed even - but that's it. I know there are other options out there, but I find myself having to do my own legwork to find options that are not part of the "typical path". I am not about the day-to-day and ordinary. They should introduce a "what can I do with my BSN" seminar as a requirement to the nursing curriculum. I guess they don't want nurses to realize that there is life beyond direct patient care.
RN4NICU, LPN, LVN
1,711 Posts
It's not a matter of you being smart or not, but rather what information you have available to you - so don't worry about that part :)
Maybe this will clear things up a bit for you
Master's degree:
1-2 years post BSN, depending on structure and intensity of program (note: some CRNA programs are actually closer to 3 years, but almost all are more than two years full-time).
Master's degree covers:
NP
CRNA
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nursing Professor (assistant professor some places) at baccalaureate level
Nursing Administration
PhD - an additional 1-2 yrs post MSN
Department Head - nursing program
Senior nursing administration (VP, chief nursing officer, etc)
I totally agree with llg that it is a complete and total shame that nurses are not exposed to other career options in school. They get the community health, nursing home, and hospital rammed down their throats as if direct patient care is the only option for a nursing career. I am currently trying to educate myself regarding what I can do with my BSN and in which direction I want to pursue graduate education. Once again, nursing school failed me - options of NP, CRNA, and management were covered, lauded, stressed even - but that's it. I know there are other options out there, but I find myself having to do my own legwork to find options that are not part of the "typical path". I am not about the day-to-day and ordinary. They should introduce a "what can I do with my BSN" seminar as a requirement to the nursing curriculum. I guess they don't want nurses to realize that there is life beyond direct patient care.