Working on MPH, worth going for MSN?

slizendiceRN · Sep 24, 2019

I completed one semester towards my MSN back in April, starting in the Leadership concentration then switching to care coordination track midway through. I didn't feel passionate at all about it so I withdrew. I have always had more of an interest in public health but I didn't want to do a MSN public health concentration because of the classes in most of the programs. Also, I'm not sure I want to stay in a nursing position for the remainder of my career. I am much happier now that I am pursuing MPH. I am able to tailor the bulk of my classes to my choosing, so I am not stuck taking classes that do not interest me or classes that will not be relevant to what I WANT to learn. I will continue to keep my nursing license active even in the event I take a non-nursing position. I have a BSN currently and feel that is sufficient. I guess it really just boils down to what you want to do or what your interests are. I'm focusing on global and occupational health. I also currently live overseas and I'm not in a rush to move back stateside. The MPH will be of more value to gain employment here moreso than a MSN.

Enoch82 · Dec 15, 2019

I have an MPH in epidemiology, and going to have an RN BSN next year, should I also get an MSN, is it worth it career wise? Would appreciate the feedback

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Dec 15, 2019

On 9/19/2019 at 6:00 PM, Mnstn said:
This may be a bit premature but I can't help but think about the future. I've started a MPH program with a focus on health promotion and behavorial science. I don't have clear cut goals yet but I'm interested program development and evaluation as well as health education. I feel like it would be useful to get an additional graduate degree in nursing but I'm not sure. I do not want to become a nurse practitioner or work in informatics so that generally leaves nurse education. I was curious if anyone else has had similar thoughts or experiences.

To be hired as an educator, you will need actual nursing experience. Remember that you will need to start at the beginning level nurse first, then move up. You can't teach that which you don't know.

1 hour ago, Enoch82 said:
I have an MPH in epidemiology, and going to have an RN BSN next year, should I also get an MSN, is it worth it career wise? Would appreciate the feedback

Work with your BSN at the bedside first to decide what you want your MSN concentration to be. Good luck to you both!

Mnstn, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

I understand that one has to have nursing experience in an area to actually educate. I've been a pediatric RN for 6 years with both inpatient and outpatient experience and now I'm getting my MPH. My question was more, is a MSN worth it or needed to further a future in health education and promotion or not?

Enoch82 · Dec 16, 2019

I had the same question; I’ve been an epidemiologist for 13 years and have an MPH, and I will be completing my nursing program soon with a RN BSN, and I’ll be able to hopefully provide my MPH credentials to get a PHN, I was wondering if it were worth it to add an MSN to all those credentials. Will it necessarily make me more marketable? I want to be in administration eventually.