{"id":5851,"date":"2019-07-05T11:08:51","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T15:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=5851"},"modified":"2024-12-19T17:07:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T22:07:20","slug":"specialized-vs-general-msn-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/specialized-vs-general-msn-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a Specialized vs. General MSN Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

To become a nurse is a great choice. When you put your mind to committing to the nursing profession, you\u2019re setting yourself up for competitive pay, rewarding work, and a lifelong career path. The sense of responsibility that you sign up for as a nurse \u2013 living and working by the Code of Ethics for Nurses<\/a> \u2013 is enough to make most feel empowered and connected to other humans at a deep level. As the Reflections in Nursing<\/a> magazine explains, because nurses spend so much time with patients (even more so than Doctors!), therein lies a beautiful opportunity to bond with patients and be their guiding light through illness, healing, recovery, and to health.<\/p>\n

Feeling like you want to provide more comprehensive care than an RN? Want to increase your earning potential, and advance from your BSN to your MSN<\/a>? The first step will be to choose an MSN degree that is right for you, which takes a bit of research.<\/p>\n

There are a few different MSN degree options<\/a> out there, and the choice that you make in this instance will indeed shape the near future of your career. For example, it might affect what jobs you\u2019ll be able to apply for, what environment you\u2019ll work in, which demographics you\u2019ll work with, and how much money you\u2019ll make. Each MSN degree<\/a> is offered at a different pace, with different requirements. First, let\u2019s find out what makes a person decide to go the general MSN route, versus picking a specialization.<\/p>\n

General MSN Degree Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n

A general MSN degree covers all the bases that you\u2019ll need to take on an advanced role in nursing. Whether you\u2019re using your clinical practice skills in the ER, educating the rising generation of nurses at a College, University, vocational or tech school, or exercising your management talents as an administrator, a general MSN prepares you for a rich experience as a nurse leader. You can also consider earning your general MSN degree first, and then later building upon it. You may decide to enhance your abilities with a specialization later on. Regardless, if you begin with a general MSN degree, you will be eligible to take on roles like Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Administrator, or a Director of Nursing.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest benefits to earning a general MSN degree, is that you graduate with a well-rounded skill set. For example, at Goodwin College, you\u2019ll cover advanced pathophysiology, physical assessment, and pharmacology. You\u2019ll study leadership, policy, politics, and theory. Population health will be a cornerstone to your education, and you\u2019ll even dive into informatics, research, and technology. To boot, this curriculum<\/a> is available in a fully online, flexible format, that can be completed in as few as 20 months, part-time<\/strong>. No one said it was easy, but it sure is efficient to enroll in a general MSN program that is fast, comprehensive, and accredited. Perhaps most importantly, when you are trying to get a job just out of school, you will be eligible to apply \u2013 with a competitive application \u2013 for a variety of roles, increasing your chances of landing a job that you love right away.<\/p>\n

Specialized MSN Degrees <\/strong><\/p>\n

There are surely benefits to shooting for a specialization first, however the career approach will be different. With an MSN degree that dives right into focus\u00a0 on a particular subject, you\u2019ll have to set out into the workforce with fairly specific jobs in mind. Yet, there are lots of options, and you can specialize in your studies for the following roles, and more:<\/p>\n