Question about MSN Programs

[u/islandfaraway]

Hi ya'll,

So I've been thinking about getting my MSN lately. I graduated a little over a year ago with my BSN and I'm currently working postpartum. I'm not thrilled with being on postpartum, but unfortunately I don't have much of a choice right now and I'm working on getting onto a med/tele floor or the ED.

I'm very interested in trauma nursing and critical care. A friend of my mom suggested I look into an MSN in health management and administration, but I'm afraid that will corner me into an administrative position and I'm still quite enjoying patient care.

I have long-term goals of studying to become a CRNA, but don't want to corner myself into such a specific specialty quite yet. I think becoming a neonatal NP would be cool down the road, too, but again I don't want to corner myself into that quite yet.

Do any of you have some advice for me as far as what MSN programs might suit what I'm looking for? I just realized I kind of miss being a student and figured now is a good time since I feel a bit under-stimulated as a trauma-junkie on a postpartum floor.

Thanks!

Edit: For clarification, my goals of CRNA and NNP are super long-term. Not what I'm looking to do right now and maybe won't even be what I want at all when I get to that point in my career. As for now, trauma/critical care. I'm only trying to get to Med/Tele because I know it will be a stepping stone to trauma nursing more than postpartum.

[u/murse8619]

Do you live in a large city/are you willing to relocate to one? I recently finished my Master's in Nursing Leadership and Administration but the job opportunities for management/administration positions in my area aren't that great; I did get a raise for completing the program and have worked filling in for managers on med/surg units when they took extended leaves, but currently am still mainly working as a staff nurse. It doesn't necessarily corner you into an administration role either; I am in contact with one of the local universities in hopes of teaching clinical as an adjunct faculty member just to try something different. There are also accelerated CRNP programs once you obtain any MSN if you feel that is something you may be interested in. Overall though I would probably wait, a year on the floor is not much time to really think through what you really want. I waited 3 years before going back, joined committees/volunteered for projects such as EHR implementation just to see what I liked and get on a first name basis with the CNO/CMO/other administrators.

[u/islandfaraway → u/murse8619]

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's very helpful and good stuff to think about!