At my age is my BSN worth it?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

Updated:  

Hello Beth, your nursing experience is very impressive.

My situation is a little complicated, just feeling stuck. I have been working as an RN with associates degree for 30 years and as an LPN prior to that. I was hoping to retire in 7-8yrs. By the looks of things not sure if that is going to happen.

Most of my nursing experience was in med-surg/ perioperative and outpatient services in a hospital setting. It's been a little over 6 years since I last worked in a hospital setting. SInce then I worked in LTC and rehab as a nursing supervisor. After that I started to explore other options such as case management, dialysis, and Family Practice which in all 3 areas I was there less than 6 months, they were not a good fit. These past couple years I had a gap in employment, was feeling less than adequate and wound up taking care of a family member. Now, I am searching for a job and I just don't know what direction to go in.

My nursing experience has provided me a great deal of knowledge. I thought that I would pursue the nonclinical areas, however the requirement for most of those jobs you need to have strong computer skills and be able to type fast. My computer experience is with facility based software and some Microsoft 365 knowledge, I may be able to type 30 words/minute. There are quite a few facilities advertising for new grads, they don't want to pay experienced nurses. It seems like a few years back they would only hire the experienced nurse. Why does age have to be a factor? I guess I know the answer to that , it's all about the money. One good thing people have said, I look younger than my age.

I am just not ready to retire, need to build up my retirement funds a lot more. I was thinking about going back to finish my BSN. I have 16 credits left, but at my age is it really worth it?

I am feeling stuck and don't know what direction to head into. I am open to any and all suggestions. I know its complicated.

Share this post

+ Add A Comment

2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Complicated,

You have a good background which will serve you well.

Get your BSN. It will increase your options. By far most non clinical jobs require a BSN.  A BSN gives you higher earning potential which will help with your retirement savings.

Take a nursing refresher course. You've been out of the workforce for a couple of years, and out of acute care settings for 6 years. Taking a refresher course and earning your BSN both afford you opportunity to expand your network and make contacts.

Doing course work for your BSN will give you lots of practice with your computer skills as well.

Apply for jobs as it's important to close the unemployment gap in your resume. Once you land a job, you can be increasingly more selective. Ultimately and hopefully a job that can take you into the end of your career and an organization that provides some kind of retirement contribution. You may want to give case management another try.

Best wishes as you reenter the workforce,

Nurse Beth

If you have only 16 credit hours and you want to work in a non-clinical setting, I would say go for it.  My opinion is that the BSN (I have one from a top rated University BTW) is a useless, fluff degree that will not expand your clinical skills or knowledge base one iota IMO.  Yes, it may give you a few more opportunities and a slight bump in pay (sometimes).  However, for nurses older than 50, not desiring a managerial role or to eventually transition to CRNA/NP, I say "no way".  The associated costs and commitment is huge for a BSN (lots and lots of BS) and the ROI (Return On Investment) for older nurses is really not there.

+ Add a Comment