A question for all nurses...

[qbanmom5]

I start nursing school in January 2012 and I'm sooo excited! I took my prereqs this summer after having been out of school for almost 20 years. Nursing will be my second career since I have an M.A. in counseling psychology. For my personal circumstances, it worked out best to pursue an adn. My question is whether the Psych degree will help at all in nursing. I know it will as far as patient interaction, but will it be recognized at all when it comes to pay? Can I at least add the M.A. at the end of the R.N. or is it just gone forever? I know the knowledge will never be undone, and it doesnt really make a difference because I am passionate about becoming an r.n. and having that will be satisfaction enough.:redbeathe I'm just wondering...Thanks!

[squatmunkie_RN]

Ah, what it feels to be so excited. I won't burst your bubble. (I graduated in June 2010). But your previous degree probably won't get you any higher pay. The only thing that will get you higher pay is experience in nursing.

BUT your degree is psych will be priceless when it comes to all the nuts we meet.

[R*Star*RN, BSN, RN]

Yes you will be using your psych knowledge alllll dayyyy long. But non-nursing degrees don't count in the nursing world.

[Mijourney]

I agree with the previous posters. Your MA will not be given much credence as you practice nursing. But, your experience in counseling will make you highly effective in patient, family, and staff interactions. Hopefully, once you achieve RN status, you will decide to pursue an MSN. A graduate degree in nursing will take you far, particularly if you apply for a position in the federal government.

[qbanmom5]

Thanks all. I will definitely pursue an MSN if not an NP or PA. So, can I at least add the M.A. to the end of my RN title or does it get tossed cause it's not in nursing? Thanks for all your help. Your answers are pretty much what I expected. Hopefully my experience in writing treatment plans might help a little with the nursing care plans. Not much since the content is different, but at least I am familiar with documentation and assessment....

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Given that most facilities don't even put relevant nursing certifications or nursing degrees on NURSING IDs, I doubt that they would permit a non Nursing degree printed on one. Though what your private home address labels for your private mail is your affair.

Also, given that many facilities will not permit nurses with a Doctorate to be addressed as Doctor, as should be their right, I doubt that many would be all that swift to recognize your Masters on a nursing ID.