* MN: Focus on advanced nursing practice. The MN degree emphasizes the *practice* of advanced nursing. It's designed to prepare nurses for roles like Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The curriculum heavily focuses on clinical skills, patient care, and advanced assessment. The MN degree often integrates theory with significant hands-on clinical experience.
* MSN: Broader scope, with varying specializations. The MSN degree offers a broader scope, encompassing advanced practice *and* other specialized roles in nursing. While it can certainly lead to the same advanced practice roles as an MN, it also offers specializations in areas like nursing administration, informatics, education, leadership, and research. The curriculum can be more theoretical or research-focused depending on the specialization chosen. The clinical component may be less extensive than an MN in some specializations.
In short:
Think of it this way: an MN is generally *practice-focused*, while an MSN is *practice- or specialty-focused*. Many programs are now structuring their MSN degrees to allow for advanced practice specialization, blurring the lines between the two. The specific curriculum and requirements will vary significantly from program to program, regardless of whether it's an MN or MSN.
Ultimately, the "best" degree depends on your career goals. If your aim is to become an advanced practice registered nurse (like an NP), either degree might be appropriate, though the MN is often more directly tailored to that path. If you have other career aspirations within nursing, such as education or administration, an MSN with a relevant specialization may be a better fit. You should carefully examine the specific curriculum of any program you're considering, regardless of whether it's labeled MN or MSN.