What type of MSN degree should I pursue to teach?

llg, PhD, RN · May 1, 2012

Different schools prefer different things -- and it depends on exactly what you want to teach. Some schools prefer you get an MSN (or DNP, or PhD) in Nursing Education. Others want to see the MSN (or DNP or PhD) in your clinical specialty.

Either way, I wouldn't spend a lot of time agonizing over it now. What you really need to do is get a couple of years experience working as a nurse and get some actual nursing experience. By the time you graduate with your ASN and get some experience, the landscape may change -- and the picture of what will work best for you may well become more clear.

The nursing profession is in a state of flux right now. Things are changing. It's to your advantage to wait and see how things "shake out" rather than committing prematurely. At this beginning point in your development, it would be best if you stayed open and flexible. Graduate, get some experience, then see what the lay of the land is at that point.

UVA Grad Nursing · May 1, 2012

There are a number of different factors to consider. There is no easy answer to your great questions.

What will you want to teach? In general if you want to teach a specialty area, you should consider getting a MSN in that clinical specialty. For example, if your love is pediatric nursing, then consider a MSN in pediatrics.

Do you want to be a clinical instructor, or teach the didactic classes? This may not matter at some community colleges, but you will likely need a doctoral degree if you want to be a didactic instructor at a BSN program.

Do you want to teach at the associate degree level, the BSN level, or the MSN level? If you want to teach in a BSN program, you would likely need to get a specialty MSN or have a doctoral degree (PhD or DNP). Do you want tenure, or are happy with a teaching contract that can get renewed (or not) each year?

Do you want to teach at an accredited school? In that case, the specialization of your graduate degree should relate to what you are teaching. This is looked at by the accreditation agencies (especially by CCNE).

Lastly, what are the requirements of both the State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Higher Education in your state? In my state, the State Board of Higher Education wants ADN nursing instructors to have advanced certifications in what they are teaching and is encouraging Associate Degree schools not to hire those with MSNs in Nursing Education. I know many RNs with MSNs in Nursing Education who thus cannot get hired to teach at the community colleges and thus have to teach at either the unaccredited schools, or for the online programs at piece-rate (4K per class, no benefits).

Of course the higher education landscape will likely be different 5-10 years for now, but I am a terrible gazer of crystal balls. But if you want to teach, I would encourage you to consult with those who are in the hiring positions and see what they are looking for in the faculty applications that they receive.