Trying to decide on MSN specialty....any suggestions???

chris82 · Sep 27, 2011

I too have been trying to fiugre out what I want to do. My problem is that I do want to get my MSN, but I currently work in a skilled LTC unit and really do not have any other experiecnce. I am a supervisor and think that I would like the management/administration side of nursing. The problem with that is that you lose the patient contact, and that is what I enjoy. I think you should just make a list of what you like about nursing and try to fit it into what specialty works with your list. Money is not always everything, but we need to make sure that it is worth all the loans to continue our education. Good Luck!

surgeryangel · Sep 27, 2011

Thank you so much for your response...it's so hard to figure it out....I had thought maybe I should go the NP route and get possibly teach with that degree or Just go with the education altogether from the get go....just not sure of stability is all...

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 27, 2011

I think it's wonderful that you are committed to continuing your education. However, I would advise you to focus on gaining clinical competency before jumping into grad school... for a couple of reasons. First of all, the transition from student into competent practice is very stressful for most new grads. Don't make it even more difficult by tackling grad school at the same time. You also need to determine whether there is a specific clinical area or role that you are attracted to. Take some time to explore and get to know some people who are working in those areas. Grad programs with a clinical focus usually require some experience in that area as a criteria for admission. Most employers have some form of tuition reimbursement as a benefit, but it may not kick in until you have been there a while - you want to take advantage of any help you can get!

I would like to encourage you to consider 'workplace' education as a career choice. Although the qualifications are the same as our academic colleagues (minimum of MSN), many of those of us in workplace education earn higher salaries and have more varied and intresting roles. We play an important part in development and implementation of all organizational initiatives, from new programs and service lines to high tech & informatics.

If you do choose to move into education, I would strongly advise you to go with a traditional grad school rather than a commercial/online option, especially if you want to move into academia at some point. Educators have to be comfortable in a scholarly, research-oriented environment in order to foster these same skills in our learners... this is not the mission of commercial (investor-owned) "schools".

surgeryangel · Sep 27, 2011

Thank you, HouTx! I had thought of sticking with "workplace education" before. I didn't mention that I have been a registered nurse that worked in the surgical department for the last ten years. I just recently switched to community nursing as a case manager which provides a totally different environment. I totally agree with what you said...the only concern of mine were getting back into the poor hours and call requirements that hospitals so often require. As I said, I guess I am just trying to find my niche...thank you for all of this wonderful input!!!! Also...I had looked into a MSN program for CNS/Nurse Educator but wasn't sure about what this entailed either...

floridastudent · Sep 28, 2011

I recently got my MSN in education, and while I eventually would like to teach I wish I would have gotten my NP first. It is much easier to find post masters programs in education for those with an NP than vise verse. I now am looking at DNP programs to get my NP. There aren't that many online so it is making it difficult. Good Luck!

jjosemadam · Sep 28, 2011

Hi There,

Its really a pleasure to know that you are about to do your masters in Nursing. I am Jobin J Madam a master graduate Nurse in the Medical and surgical Nursing. I am really happy to comment on your question "Trying to decide on MSN specialty....any suggestions???"

Yes According to my experiences and current trends, I would like to advice you to take specialties like Cardio Thoraccic Nursing or Critical Care Nursing. Both of these specialties will give you a greater exposure in the Clinical side and in the same time this courses will yield a highest pay rate in the Global Scenario. And If you are interested to serve the community, you can try the Community Health Nursing too, but the fact is the community health nursing education that you have in the country may not be helpful to get a Job Abroad due to the difference in the culture and community.

My sub specialty is Critical Care Nursing and I feel that it was the best Choice ever I have made as the need for a Critical Care Nurse in an inevitable one in the hospitals, especially in the departments like the Accidents And Emergency Department as well as an ICU or Theater.

Again My advice for you that please Identify which area of nursing gives you pleasure, then choose one specialty which will give you much more experience in the same...

Thank you

Jobin Jose

candiRN79 · Sep 28, 2011

I would get some clinical experience first, so you have a clearer idea of what you want to do.

jjosemadam · Sep 28, 2011

Hi candiRN79

Yes I guess I can help you once you have achieved the enough experiences. Thank you

Texan_Gal · Sep 28, 2011

Interesting dilemna you have as I was in the same boat a few years ago as you are now. I've been a BSN-prepared RN for nearly 2 decades & wasn't really clear on what direction I wanted to go. I knew I wanted a master's degree but I too wasn't sure which degree I wanted to pursue.

What I did was invest some time to assess my interests and my strengths . I used a variety of tools to accomplish this including a book called "What color is your Parachute" , which I used to focus in on my strengths, interests and future goals. I'm so glad I invested that time and energy into a thorough self-assessment because it paid off in a big way. Ultimately, I decided to earn my master's degree in Occupational Therapy and I'm so glad I did.

Now, I work for myself and am building a lucrative business using my combined nursing and OT skills. So my suggestion to you would be to:

1) Gain some nursing experience in a community, inpatient or other clinical setting.Not only will you master your critical thinking skills, you'll also find out what you like & don't like.

2) Take your time & do your own self-asssessment. If you jump into a master's program too quickly, you'll lose focus & become lost. No one hires anyone who doesn't know what they want (and trust me, I've done some hiring & I can tell you that I've never hired anyone that didn't have a vision or focus).

3) Use online tools or visit a career center to determine your interests. While I was taking my pre-requisites for my master's program, I took advantage of the career center on campus & used their tools to narrow-down my focus of interests. That decision was one of the best ones by far as it truly helped me see myself from an objective angle.

Best of luck to you! Just take your time with this decision as it can be a costly one if you jump into something you end up not enjoying.

-DJ

surgeryangel · Sep 28, 2011

Thanks to all of you!!! This is such wonderful information!! My husband and I have discussed just taking the time to review the various avenues that nursing can take one's career. The only reason that I was not wanting to wait is because I am so fearful that I will not go back. It took me almost ten years to go back to get my BSN after saying for years that I would NEVER wait that long....you know how it goes...LOL! Anyway, thank you to everyone...all of this input is so extremely helpful! :loveya: