learn it , live it and love it

Trauma Columnist · Dec 18, 2006

Hi there - I had 12 years experience as an RN when I completed my CNS in May 06. I was an ADN who decided I needed to further my education, so I went back and did a BSN, MSN, and then post-MSN. The total for all three parts was about $50,000. When you calculate what I will earn now, it was well worth it.

I worked full time during my ADN (as an LPN), during the BSN, MSN, post-MSN. Had to, no choice. I used my PTO (600 hours) for clinical time for the APN part.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 24, 2006

I graduated from nursing school in May 2005 with my BSN and started working on a med/surg/tele unit in July 2005 (I'm still working there now). I applied to graduate school in Dec. 2005 and was accepted and I started my MSN program to be an acute care NP this past August 2006. I'm a full time grad student and I also work 24 hours/week at my RN position. Next semester I'll be taking 4 classes and still working my same hours-so this should get interesting! :)

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Dec 26, 2006

I started grad school in Fall 2005. I continue to work part-time (every other weekend), but also take out student loans. I decided to go back for my masters after being out of school for 8 years.

rnsrgr8t · Jan 15, 2007

I graduated nursing school in 1998 (BSN). I worked in peds in Hematology/Oncology and then for a private pediatrician's practice. I went to grad school in 2003-2004 (I had been a nurse for 5 years at the time). I was in an accelerated course (3 sememsters (fall/spring/summer) one calender year). I graduated in 8/04 and started the job I am still in in 12/04 and have been here for 2 years. I have the bias that you need a few years of nursing practice before going back to school just because it makes it easier on you in school. Some grad school programs require nursing experiance but not all of them. So jobs do as well. The current job I have had no problems hiring an new grad NP out of grad school but I had to have 5 years of nursing experiance in my specialtly(peds). Good Luck!

Beef · Jan 15, 2007

I was a second degree BSN. Worked for one year as an RN in critical care before starting my core course requirements. I completed my MSN-FNP this December with 3.5 years of RN experience under my belt, all in critical care.

I worked full time while going to school part time. It was not easy, particularly when clinicals began, but I had so much vacation time saved that I took one vacation day a week and switched to weekends. I was on 80% scholarship from my hospital (university affiliated) so my debt is very low. I only took out loans for my last semester to go part-time at work (which meant that I lost my scholarship, but gave me the time to focus on learning). I was at a private institution, so the tuition that semester was ~$7000.

Hope this helps!

PhillyKidRN · Jan 16, 2007

I think everyone has a different opinion on this topic. I am actually applying to grad school at this time to start an FNP program either in the summer or fall. I graduated with my BSN in May 06 and have been working in the ER (level 1 trauma center) of a children's hospital since. I have been told by some people that it's better to wait and get a few years of experienceas an RN before going back to school, but I have a few different trains of thought as to why I should start sooner than later:

1. I did well in undergrad, graduating at the top of my class, therefore I'm not as concerned with "not getting it" in grad school. In fact, while I was in undergrad, I helped our lab coordinator with her advanced statistics and research methods courses for her MSN program. Since that's where I'll be starting off with the core courses, I am hoping I'll be fine that way.

2. By the time I start the core courses I will have a full year of experience under my belt.

3. By the time I get to clinical courses, I will have had 2 full years experience as an RN.

4. The program I am looking into would have me finishing in June-ish of 2010. This means that when I graduate I will have had 4 full years experience as an RN under my belt.

5. I'm afraid that if I wait too long to go back to school, I will lose the adult knowledge I learned in undergrad. Because I'm working at a children's hospital, I am learning a TON about peds, but nothing about adults. I have been reading and what-not so I don't lose the adult knowledge I have, but I'm afraid if I wait too long to go to grad school, I'll really forget stuff about adults.

I don't know if any of my thoughts help you in what you're looking for in your question, but hopefully there's something useful in it! Good luck to you! Take care

BChapp3182 · Jan 16, 2007

I got my ADN in 2004, already had a BS in Biology. Worked in my own aesthetics business for 2 years before starting MSN. I never got any hospital experience as an RN. I currently work full time in my own business (40-60 hrs/week) while in MSN school. I plan to go right into DNP when I'm done. I will spend $40k on MSN and probably another $20k on DNP. Lots of student loans....