At my age, should I forget about upper level degrees?

Jessicias85 · May 31, 2011

I say do what makes you happy. I am the type of person that takes pride in my education. regardless of the fact of whether or not I will use it/need it is a personal goal of mine. regardless of age or whatever. If it is your personal goal to continue on then I say go for it!

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2011

It really depends on what your goals are and those goals can change. I personally would not get myself into a huge amount of debt for a MSN regardless of your goals. If you want to teach, for instance, I would find a way to get that masters by saving ahead and finding a reasonably priced program. I think people who go into $60,000 debt even for and ADN or BSN are just plain crazy. I'll be 49 when I graduate from my ADN program and intend to work into my mid-70s.

leenak · May 31, 2011

I also say do what makes you happy. I'm saving up money for my nursing degree(s). Also, you may be able to get some of your tuition costs paid for by an employer.

llg, PhD, RN · May 31, 2011

I agree with all of the above posts -- including the OP.

If you really WANT the advanced degrees, then go for them -- but find a way to get them that is financially sensible. Find an employer who will help pay for them ... Take one class at a time while you continue to work full time ... etc. It can be done.

Do you really want chained to a full time job at age 70? Your body may not like that.

I agree with your physician friend that it could be disasterous to get yourself deeply in debt at this point in your life. You could be stuck with a miserable life with a huge amount of debt in your golden years. A steady job that you are satisfied with that allows you to save for retirement is a great thing: don't underestimate that.

llg (age 56)

Dafina · May 31, 2011

I agree with everyone here! I will be 42 when I finish my BSN but I don't care, I'm still pursuing an MSN when I'm done.

caliotter3 · May 31, 2011

I agree not to bother unless you can afford the time and expenditure and really want the higher degree for personal satisfaction. I've already received lots of negative reactions to my lack of career progress in relation to my age, (career changer), so I can see no point in going up the ladder only to be paying tuition expenses until retirement.

caliotter3 · May 31, 2011

Oh, and I forgot to add, employers have not been interested in my education. They have only ever discussed my license and my nursing work history. That tells me the value of a higher degree for me. I advise bambinos to get a BSN at the start of their work life, us old codgers don't necessarily benefit from one, or an MSN, when we don't have time to get the work experience to go with the degree.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 31, 2011

Education debt is different than other kinds of debt and is not dischargeable should you run into financial difficulty, so the advice about not getting too deeply in debt is applicable no matter what your age.

As to the ADN, it may not be sufficient to allow you to find a nursing job in some geographic areas. In many parts of the country, while employers will hire experienced ADNs, the minimum education credential for new hires has become the BSN. It's well worth closely examining the job market in your area or where you eventually intend to work.

Full disclosure: I'm older than the OP and fully intend to go on for my MSN. Just need to find someplace with education benefits who'll hire an inexperienced ADN in my neck of the woods (see the second paragraph above). I made peace a long time ago with the likelihood of never being able to formally retire however . . .

Trauma Columnist · May 31, 2011

An advanced degree will usually give you more options to make it easier to transition to a less physically demanding job once you get a little older.

Definitely something to think about.

Moogie · May 31, 2011

I just finished my master's in nursing at age 51 and am starting a PhD in nursing in the fall. My husband is a veteran so I used the GI bill for my master's. I am blessed to have gotten a fellowship that will pay for my PhD.

So no, don't forget about getting an advanced degree. Plan wisely and work hard in your undergraduate coursework. ADN-MSN bridges are competitive so you want to excel in your AD program. Or consider doing the BSN instead of an ADN. You would have more career mobility with a BSN as well as coursework that will benefit you in a graduate program (e.g., nursing theory and research).

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 31, 2011

It depends on what you find important in life. Some people will never feel happy without certain letters after their name/achievements. Would you want to look back and say "I wish I..." If you are one of those, then get the degree. I personally wouldn't, b/c it isn't important to me if I am satisfied with what I am doing. I don't want extra debt when I have to consider my kids college education and my retirement. If it would bring me true happiness, then yes I would, if not, then nope.