Advancing an education/career

[THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN]

After nearly a year of floor nursing, I know I want a change. I am leaning heavily on an MSN, with a focus towards management. Currently, I have a BSN.

I have been looking around online schools, and at the moment have an eye on Regis. Has anyone used them before, and what were your thoughts? Did anyone use a different online school to attain their masters? What are your thoughts on that school?

Any pitfalls I should be on the lookout for?

How do I tell if the degree will actually have value, and isn't some fake diploma from a scam-school?

Any pearls of wisdom or advice would be appreciated, thank you.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

not familiar with Regis personally, but here is my 2 cents worth: I did my MSN online thru a state university at a fraction of the cost of non-state affiliated schools. Plus, my facility had tuition reimbursement for in-state schools only, which means I really saved a bunch. If the degree program (for any school) requires clinical rotations you might have obstacles with non-state affiliated schools. For instance, I have people call frequently wanting to do a clinical rotation with us instead of driving 2-3 hours to Dallas or Houston, where their online program has contracted with preceptors already. That means the school gets the tuition and we get nothing except risk. We only agree if the student is an employee as there is no affiliation agreements with the schools. So ask ahead of time about clinicals. Otherwise - go for it. I think online education is excellent for graduate school level.

[elkpark]

Graduate education is a big commitment (and expense). You are just starting your career and, with a BSN, have lots of options besides floor nursing -- I would encourage you to explore other, further possibilities, and get all the "mileage" you can out of your BSN before jumping to grad school. Since you say you're interested in management, have you pursued a charge nurse or NM position in your current facility (or another facility in your area)? Have you looked at other clinical specialty areas besides what you're doing right now? BSN-level positions away from the bedside?

Graduate school is not your only option for furthering your career. I'm interpreting your post as meaning that you've only been an RN for around a year; in order to get anywhere in management, you will need to have some solid nursing experience over time -- a graduate degree won't automatically make up for v. little experience. Also, going as far into management as you can with your BSN would give you an chance to see whether that's something you are really going to be interested in over time. I've known a number of nurses who rushed into grad school (either went to grad school right after "basic" nursing school, or got into nursing through a direct-entry MSN program) only to find out after they had spent the time, expense, and effort on an MSN that they didn't really like doing what the MSN had prepared them to do. Now they are stuck with a graduate degree they don't particularly want (and the loans to pay for it!) and are trying to figure out what degree they need to get next to be able to do something they really want to do. Graduate education in nursing, unlike "basic" nursing education, pretty much locks you into a specific role and career path, and any MSN will take quite a bit of time, effort, and expense to complete -- you might as well put in some time and effort "up front" to make sure you're heading in a career direction you're really going to want.

Best wishes for your journey!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Great advice from the previous poster. But I wouldn't necessarily tell you to delay too much longer. The right type of MSN will open a lot of doors for you - not pigeon hole you into a single area.

I strongly suggest that you explore grad school "distance-option" programs from your locally recognized universities. You will find that they are much less expensive. Your MSN diploma will be from a traditional (well-regarded) educational institution rather than one that could be perceived as a commercial 'mail order' program. I don't want to cast any aspersions on commercial schools but perceptions are hard to overcome. The ties you forge during your grad school experience will also open a lot of networking doors for you in your local area in terms of career growth.

When you do pursue your MSN, make sure that it has a clinical component/specialization as well as a functional (education, administration, CNS, etc). Most commercial schools (Walden, Regis, U of P, etc) are theory-based only, without a clinical focus area. You will not be able to move into an gain 'advanced practice' recognition without this. Even though you think you want to move into management, who knows what the future holds. Me? Nothing would entice me back into a traditional management role - it's too difficult these days.

I completed a traditional MSN (Critical Care / Education) in 24 months while working full time - and I had to do a formal thesis. I actually found it easier than undergrad. It included areas in which I was really interested and classes were only once a week. The Uni did a 'cohort thing' so at the beginning of each semester, we all worked with the faculty to decide which day of the week we would have classes. It made for long days - usually 3 classes - but caused no problems with my work schedule.