Advice for rn's who pursue msn

[DAISYDUCKRN]

I need advice. I am a bsn who wants to pursue msn but i am not sure on specialty area. I am thinking nursing education. Can anyone share on how they made their decision or what is a good option to choose on furthering nursing education. Also, have kids in college and private school. Not really sure how i will pay for this, any advice is appreciated. I would consider an on line course just for convenience, how any done this and if so how did it go for you.

 

[mickeysmate65]

I'm pondering returning to school for a Master's degree as well. I'm looking at several options: MSN with leadership concentration, MS in Health Leadership and Management, MS in HCA or MS in Organizational Change!

I've spent some time talking to the education liason and Directors in my workplace to narrow the field. Since I'm not ready to return to school for another year I have some time to finalize. A few things to think about: If you are working in a setting that is deemed a magnet facility, I believe nursing leadership positions will require an MSN (regardless of focus area) in the future. When I spoke to the liason, she also suggested I consider whether I wanted MSN or MS in my title - she explained there are some people who see MSN and don't look beyond the "N". I have no idea how true this is or if it would be an issue.

Online versus traditional? Another big decision. Many of the on-line programs I reviewed are 18-24 months straight through - some do allow you to take time off but others require sequential classes. A friend did the HCA track online - she went for 8wks back to back with intermittent breaks for 2 years.

The cost of the private online programs is substantial compared to my state university's traditional program. I get educational assistance from work so some of the cost will be covered, with yearly limits. Depending on when I start, we may be able to get limited financial aid as 3 of us will be in college. The FA advisor at one of my child's college said it would make a difference for FA but not clear how much. I'm finding salaries in my area are flat given the economy and changes in healthcare reimbursement - I wouldn't get a raise in my current field, however returning to school would be for personal reasons not necessarily financial.

As it is a huge financial and personal time commitment, I don't want to start in a program until I'm clear what my professional goals are moving forward. Each day it becomes clearer for me so I'm thinking I'll be a student again in about a year. Good luck to you in your decision!

 

[Disneylover79]

I have my acute care nurse practitioner (MSN) I decided to go this route because I was an ICU nurse. I was hoping to work in the ICU's but instead I got the job I have now as a cardiology nurse practitioner. I love my job. I love being able to change patient's lives everyday.

So I would say that you have to think about what you would love to do and what would make you the happiest. You could also shadow all the professions/routes you are thinking about doing.

I am single (well I have DBF) and therefore I worked full time and went to school full time. As far as the financial aspect the company I work for had tuition reimbursement, and they also had a yearly grant that they offered. I also had to take a few student loans to help pay.

I wish you both luck

 

[basketrn]

I am currently in school for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I was really torn between ACNP and FNP, but I love critical care, so went with ACNP. All my classes are online until I get to the clinical portion of the program, then I go to class and clinicals like a traditional nursing student. I would really research what you want to do and what you want out the education before you jump in. My employer (I work in a hospital) offers tuition reimbursement, so that helps, then I pay the rest out of pocket.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!

 

[tinker&belle]

I am subscribing. I am considering going back to school for nursing when both dds are in school and then getting a MSN as a NP for family or peds. It is a long way off but I have one degree that I don't know if I can go back to due to the employment situation in our area, and I am really interested in the flexibility of nursing and feel it might be a good fit for my personality.

 

[EKW]

OMG...it's late and my brain is fried from spending 7 hours tonight working on a school project with my older son. I read your title and thought it said "Advice for rn's who pursue men". ROFL. I opened it up thinking, "Well, now! THIS should be juicy!"

 

[cm8]

OMG...it's late and my brain is fried from spending 7 hours tonight working on a school project with my older son. I read your title and thought it said "Advice for rn's who pursue men". ROFL. I opened it up thinking, "Well, now! THIS should be juicy!"

,, I have done that before as well, I think you need some z's

 

[taximomfor4]

I'm pondering returning to school for a Master's degree as well. I'm looking at several options: MSN with leadership concentration, MS in Health Leadership and Management, MS in HCA or MS in Organizational Change!

I've spent some time talking to the education liason and Directors in my workplace to narrow the field. Since I'm not ready to return to school for another year I have some time to finalize. A few things to think about: If you are working in a setting that is deemed a magnet facility, I believe nursing leadership positions will require an MSN (regardless of focus area) in the future. When I spoke to the liason, she also suggested I consider whether I wanted MSN or MS in my title - she explained there are some people who see MSN and don't look beyond the "N". I have no idea how true this is or if it would be an issue.

Online versus traditional? Another big decision. Many of the on-line programs I reviewed are 18-24 months straight through - some do allow you to take time off but others require sequential classes. A friend did the HCA track online - she went for 8wks back to back with intermittent breaks for 2 years.

The cost of the private online programs is substantial compared to my state university's traditional program. I get educational assistance from work so some of the cost will be covered, with yearly limits. Depending on when I start, we may be able to get limited financial aid as 3 of us will be in college. The FA advisor at one of my child's college said it would make a difference for FA but not clear how much. I'm finding salaries in my area are flat given the economy and changes in healthcare reimbursement - I wouldn't get a raise in my current field, however returning to school would be for personal reasons not necessarily financial.

As it is a huge financial and personal time commitment, I don't want to start in a program until I'm clear what my professional goals are moving forward. Each day it becomes clearer for me so I'm thinking I'll be a student again in about a year. Good luck to you in your decision!

What is rough is that the parent can put the college-attending kids on the parents' FAFSA, but the kids cannot include the college-attending parent(s)! So I was eligible for some grants, while dd was not, since her FAFSA shows that only she is in college in our household.

 

[bear_mom]

I am currently going back to school for my MSN. I am going on-line and so far it is going well. I am in a bridge program right now - for ADN students who have a non-nursing bachelor's. I am taking two undergrad classes and if I get a B in both of them, I can transition into the masters classes.

Emily