by Bill L. » Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:29 pm
Hi Sneha,
Chi-Chi is right about the importance of finding something you love, which will enable you to excel and do it for a long time. That said: you might want to think about institutions that have a focus on clinical research nurses, as you seem to like the science.
Also, regarding the advanced MSN degree: it depends where you are, and what you want to do. For example, there is a shortage of nurses, registered nurses (BSN) throughout the country, and the world, really. There is a shortage of advance practice nurses (those with a MSN) but at least in the states, it's regional. For example, there is not a shortage of Nurse Practioners in the San Francisco Bay Area.
That said, there are many MSNs who worked as registered nurses while they went to school, and until they found the right Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist job for them. So, if you pursued that path and it didn't work out, you could always work as an RN.
But Chi-Chi's also right in that it will matter where you see yourself ending up, and finding out what type of degrees people have who work in those fields. It's much better to choose a strategy once you're clear about the end point.
You might also just consider applying to both BSN and MSN programs and see where you get in. Sometimes our choices are made for us.
Be well,
Bill L. & Naledi S.