What can I do with a MSN degree?

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 24, 2006

Now, how would a bunch of strangers know which nursing specialty would interest you most?

You'll have to do some serious self-assessment to choose a career path for yourself. What do you like about nursing? What types of roles interest you? Do you only like direct patient care? Do you like teaching? Do you like scholarly work and/or research? Do you have a desire to run things and be an administrator? What do you like? Why did you become a nurse? What intereted you about nursing in the first place?

After you have figured out what types of roles interest you, then (and only then) are you ready to look at different graduate programs. You pick the program that will help you meet your long term career goals. Figure out who you are and what type of career you want first ... establish some general goals ... then look at grad school options. If you do it the other way around, you could end up with a degree that only qualifies you for jobs you don't want. Too many people make that mistake.

Some people make the mistake of going to grad school to get away from their current job without thinking about where their new education will lead them. They end up disappointed and frustrated because they make a big investment in education that doesn't get them anything they want.

Figure out what kind of career you want first. Explore the many roles and many specialties that nursing has to offer. Then develop a plan to get yourself qualified for the jobs that appeal to you.

llg

willdgate · Oct 24, 2006

Now, how would a bunch of strangers know which nursing specialty would interest you most?
That's why I said that I did not want to deal with the legal aspects of nursing, therefore, i didn't want an advanced nursing degree in something that deals with legal stuff:rolleyes:

np_wannabe · Oct 24, 2006

Now, how would a bunch of strangers know which nursing specialty would interest you most?
That's why I said that I did not want to deal with the legal aspects of nursing, therefore, i didn't want an advanced nursing degree in something that deals with legal stuff:rolleyes:
Since all we know about you is that you don't want to "deal with legal stuff," I suggest you stay away from Legal Nursing...

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 24, 2006

Now, how would a bunch of strangers know which nursing specialty would interest you most?
That's why I said that I did not want to deal with the legal aspects of nursing, therefore, i didn't want an advanced nursing degree in something that deals with legal stuff:rolleyes:
All aspects of nursing deal with "legal stuff". Every time you take responsibility for the well-being of others, there are rules to follow and the possibilitly that the patient will not be happy with the care they receive. Because you are always held accountable for your actions, you are never legally "off the hook."
Payment is a related matter. Whatever role and field you choose, you are going to want to get paid for your work. That means that someone is paying a bill -- which leads to documentation procedures for justifying your charges and audits of those procedures. That adds more necessary regulations and paperwork.
You're going to have to do more self-assessing than that to make a decision.
llg

willdgate · Oct 25, 2006

Thank you all for all your help "sarcastically";)

JaneyW · Oct 25, 2006

Let me try to clarify some things--I believe people were trying to be helpful but maybe needed a little more info from you. Also, as you would find out pretty quickly if you started an MSN program, any advanced nursing role is going to involve a lot more of the rules and legal stuff as they are all fairly regulated. I am getting my MSN in education because, legally, I cannot teach nursing in the state of California without one. I am spending a lot of time learning about all of the rules and theories and ethical obligations of nursing. Reasearch has its own set of rules and laws to follow. I guess where I'm going with this is that if you are not rule/legal friendly, you probably don't want to waste your time on an MSN.

willdgate · Oct 28, 2006

What I mean by legally, is that I don't like to constantly deal with patient's lives, and would like to try something that deals with other aspects of nursing, maybe nursing administration, but I don't know much about it.

MissAbby2u · Jan 26, 2012

nursing administration is a ton more legal work and rules and lines and stipulations - as the administrator you are in charge of making sure the nurses under you are following those rules and legalities and if there is a problem you are the one to deal with it. Sounds to me like you like the direct patient care rules and legalities the best. But I don't know for sure, only you do.

But there is no aspect of nursing, from an NA up the ladder, that does not have legalities and legal rules and stipulations. The higher up that ladder you climb the more legal stipulations there are. Healthcare Administration is no different. It is all about the legal aspects of providing healthcare.

Best of luck in your decision making.